Robert Chen, concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1999, first appeared with the Strings in May of 2000 shortly after being appointed and again in 2004 on the 25th Anniversary series. As soloist with the CSO, he has performed the Beethoven and Tchaikovsky violin concertos and given the world premiere of Augusta Read Thomas’ Astral Canticle and the CSO premiere of Elliot Carter’s Violin Concerto. Other solo appearances included performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Moscow Philharmonic, New Japan Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin, NDR Orchestra of Hannover, and the Bournemouth Symphony.

As a chamber musician, Chen has collaborated with Daniel Barenboim, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, and Yo-Yo Ma, both at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and at Carnegie Hall in New York. He has toured extensively with Musicians from Marlboro and is a founding member of the Johannes Quartet. Chen has been a participant in numerous festivals including the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, La Jolla Chamber Music Festival, and the Schloss Moritzburg Festival in Germany.

After winning first prize in the Hanover International Violin Competition, Chen recorded Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto for Berlin Klassics label. He is the recipient of the American Heritage Award from the American Immigration Law Foundation and the Arts and Science Achievement Award from the Taiwanese-American Foundation.

A native of Taiwan, Robert Chen began his violin studies at age 7, immigrating with his family to Los Angeles three years later where he studied with Robert Lipsett and participated in master classes given by Jascha Heifetz. He earned both bachelor and master degrees from Juilliard where he studied with Dorothy DeLay and Masao Kawasaki. Chen teaches at Roosevelt University. He and his wife have two children.

2010 Benefit at Ravinia’s Bennett-Gordon Hall “We have a jewel in our community; It is the Highland Park Strings…I hope that the community will step forward with generous support for this great gift of ours. I cannot think of a better way to enrich our lives.” – Letter to the Editor from a   Loyal Listener Preferred benefit seating for all contributors of $100 and above plus free admission to a Donor Appreciation Chamber Music Concert featuring members of the Highland Park Strings and Guests 3p.m. * Sunday, April 3, 2011 Highland Park Community House 1991 Sheridan Road Complimentary tickets will be mailed with benefit tickets.

Beethoven
Concerto for Violin and
Orchestra in D Major, Op. 61
Robert Chen, Violin

Beethoven
Symphony No. 7
in A Major, Op. 92