Three up-and-coming violinists have been selected through the international competition Play with Ray to perform alongside renowned violinist Ray Chen and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House on July 25. The winners, Yongren Yuto Lim from Singapore (11 years old), Anna Sing from Melbourne (21 years old), and Przemysław (Przemek) Prucnal from Poland (21 years old), were chosen from nearly 1,000 entries worldwide, with participants ranging in age from six to 63.
During the performance, each of the winners will have the opportunity to play one movement of Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D minor in a duet with Ray Chen. The program also includes other pieces such as Barber's Adagio for Strings, Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, Macpherson's Waltzing Matilda, and Koncz's arrangement of Satie's works, titled A New Satiesfaction.
The youngest winner, Yongren Yuto Lim, will have the chance to perform with a full-size orchestra for the first time, alongside his violin idol. Lim, who began playing the violin at the age of 4, has gained recognition as a child prodigy. He recently obtained a performance diploma from Trinity College in Cambridge and won first prize at the Làszlò Spezzaferri International Music and Music Singapore competitions, where he performed Bach's Violin Partita No. 2 in the quarter-finals.
Lim expresses his fascination with Bach's Partitas, as they offer numerous possibilities for interpretation, much like clay that can be shaped in various ways. He also admires the first movement of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and dreams of performing it with an orchestra someday, while collaborating with musicians from all over the world.
Przemysław (Przemek) Prucnal, on the other hand, is still trying to grasp the reality of playing on the stage of an iconic Australian venue. He enthusiastically looks forward to the experience and considers it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Ray Chen and create beautiful music together. Prucnal, who aspires to perform, collaborate, and create music worldwide, made his soloist debut with the Zabrze Philharmonic Orchestra last year and has achieved first place in three Polish competitions. He dreams of sharing his interpretations, emotions, and stories through music with an audience that appreciates his art.
Anna Sing, the winner from Melbourne, is currently pursuing a medical degree while engaging in various orchestral commitments. Although she is uncertain about her future path, she envisions integrating both careers with a focus on chamber and orchestral music. Sing actively performs with the University of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and two orchestras dedicated to healthcare professionals. Her preference lies in the drama and rich melodies of Romanticism, and she particularly enjoys Rachmaninov's Trio élégiaque No. 2 at the moment. Sing finds chamber music to be her favorite form of performance, as it fosters a sense of camaraderie and allows for the creation of something beautiful that cannot be achieved alone.
Anna expresses a mix of terror and excitement about the upcoming performance, considering it a remarkable opportunity. She is immensely grateful for Ray Chen's dedication to engaging and inspiring young musicians. This experience surpasses her wildest dreams and will forever serve as her inspiration and motivation to pursue music further.
