When soloist Ray Chen snapped a string mid-Tchaikovsky, and handled it like a boss

8 November 2021, 11:43 | Updated: 8 October 2023, 12:34

Taiwanese-Australian violinist Ray Chen gives us all a lesson in how to recover an unexpected instrument mishap without missing a beat.

He’s known for his passion and energy, but one slightly zealous violin performance from Ray Chen was just too much for his Stradivarius to handle.

While performing Tchaikovsky’s majestic Violin Concerto with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the virtuoso’s E string abruptly snapped (watch below).

Chen wastes no time in seamlessly swapping instruments with a nearby musician, much to the amusement of the crowed who laugh at the nightmarish incident, before applauding his unruffled reaction.

Read more: Violinist Ray Chen plays a beautiful serenade for two horses

Ray Chen breaks violin string mid-performance with the Seattle Symphony

During a pause in the soloist’s performance, Chen quickly crosses the stage to hand a spare string to a member of the orchestra.

And thanks to a speedy on-stage repair, the soloist only had to use the step-in violin for one movement before he was reunited with his Stradivarius for the rest of the concerto.

Now that, folks, is how to handle a mid-performance mishap like a pro.