Robert Chen celebrates 25 years as concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra: ‘I’m so blessed’ [Video]

CHICAGO — Growing up as a Taiwanese immigrant learning the violin in Los Angeles, Robert Chen would listen to recordings of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by legendary music directors Fritz Reiner and Sir Georg Solti.

He described it as “serendipitous” that he came to be concertmaster at the CSO, celebrating 25 years in the position.

“I never thought that I would be concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,” said Chen.

Speaking of his fellow musicians, Chen said. “I’m so blessed to be able to come to work every week and to be soaking up their energy, knowledge and their expertise on music making.”

Chen started playing the violin at age seven in Taiwan and later immigrated to Los Angeles with his family at age 10.

He went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School, and began playing the violin professionally in New York, Philadelphia and around …