Since exploding on to the classical music scene in 2011 when he performed the Brahms Violin Concerto with Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Taiwanese-Australian violinist Ray Chen has proved to be one of the most exciting of the younger generation of performers.

Still only 33, he has built up a huge following of fans, both through his concert appearances and his savvy use of social media, with his humorous videos on performance, practice and the Ray Chen lifestyle attracting millions of mouse clicks.

Ray Chen. Photo supplied

But it’s not just the Armani suits, cool good looks and captivating stage manner that guarantees full houses and standing ovations, he is also much admired for his innate musicianship and poetic sensibility. His performances – and I’ve been lucky enough to see a few of them – are guaranteed special events that stay in the memory.

And a packed audience at the newly-refurbished Sydney Opera House Concert Hall obviously came away with the same feeling when they heard him perform Mendelssohn’s E Minor Concerto – a piece he included on his third album in 2012 – with the SSO under the baton of New Zealand...