SSO Principal Percussionist Jon Fox switches his drumsticks for a mic as he kicks off a new SSOPlayOn! series. In Conversations with the Artist Jon hosts video conversations with artists from across the music world. Jon's guest this week is none other than violinist Yu-Chien (Benny) Tseng.
Yu-Chien (Benny) Tseng is rapidly building an international reputation as an emerging young soloist of enormous promise praised for his “grace, poise, and blistering virtuosity.”
Following his win at the XV International Tchaikovsky Violin Competition in 2015, he has made a series of major debut with the London Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, Mariinsky theatre Orchestra and Czech Philharmonic. Signed to Deutsche Grammophone in 2016, the second album was recorded with Maestro Mikhail Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra, featuring Tchaikovsky violin concerto and other celebrated works by the composer. A student of eminent pedagogues Aaron Rosand and Ida Kavafian at the Curtis Institute of Music, Tseng previously won first prizes at the Singapore International Violin Competition, Sarasate Violin Competition and the Isang Yun Violin Competition in Korea.
After his German debut with the Saarbrucken Radio Orchestra, the critic praised his performance of the Beethoven Violin Concerto: “Classically balanced without showing off; Sensitive, discreet nuances; Highly cultured sound; graceful and playful, relaxed elegance without attitude – Exemplary!”
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