Yu-Chien (Benny) Tseng

Yu-Chien (Benny) Tseng is a Taiwanese violinist rapidly gaining international recognition as one of the most exciting and gifted young concert soloists of today. Praised for his “grace, poise, and blistering virtuosity,” Tseng has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the classical music world.

Tseng’s exceptional talent was evident from an early age. At the age of 11, he took third place in his first international competition in London. Recognizing his immense potential, his father encouraged him to pursue his musical aspirations at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he enrolled at the age of 13.

Tseng’s breakthrough came in 2012 when he won fifth laureate at the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Belgium. His captivating performances also earned him the Musiq’3 and Klara-Canvas prizes awarded by the public.

In 2015, Tseng further solidified his reputation by securing second prize at the 15th International Tchaikovsky Competition, one of the most renowned violin competitions in the world. This remarkable achievement opened doors to collaborations with some of the world’s most esteemed orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariinsky Orchestra, and Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tseng’s debut solo album, “Reverie,” released in 2017 on the Deutsche Grammophon label, showcased his artistry and technical mastery. His second album, released in 2018, featured a collaboration with renowned conductor Mikhail Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra, presenting Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and other renowned works.

Tseng’s performances have taken him to renowned concert halls across Europe, North America, and Asia. He has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, Belgian National Orchestra, Spanish Navarra Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

Tseng has had the privilege of collaborating with some of the world’s leading conductors, including Valery Gergiev, Jiří Bělohlávek, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Osmo Vänskä, and Jacek Kaspszyk. In 2019, he was invited by Mikhail Pletnev to perform in Tokyo, Japan.

A memorable performance came in 2015 when Tseng performed Tchaikovsky and Brahms concertos with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev as part of his international tour in Taiwan. He also performed Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major at Munich’s M360 Music Festival. Tseng has also given frequent recitals throughout Europe, North America, and Asia.

Tseng’s 2018/2019 season featured notable engagements, including a collaboration with maestro Lawrence Foster on Penderecki’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in celebration of Foster’s 85th birthday, his debut with the Hungarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, a performance with the North German Radio Philharmonic Orchestra’s chief conductors and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, a performance with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev, and his debut at Mexico’s Cervantino Festival.

As Tseng embarks on his 2024/2025 season, his star continues to rise. His upcoming engagements include a performance with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gianandrea Noseda, a collaboration with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Lahav Shani, and a tour of Germany with the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and conductor Christoph Eschenbach.

Yu-Chien (Benny) Tseng is an exceptional violinist poised for a remarkable career. His virtuosity, musicality, and stage presence have captivated audiences worldwide, establishing him as a leading figure in the classical music world. With his unwavering dedication to his craft and his ever-expanding repertoire, Tseng is sure to continue to amaze and inspire for many years to come.