About
Lei Chen (known in Austria as Lui Chan) is a violinist and conductor born in Beijing and first concertmaster of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz since 1992. He leads the Vienna Waltz Orchestra from the first-violin chair, as conductor, soloist and host of its New Year concerts.
Lei Chen (known in Austria as Lui Chan) was born in Beijing and began violin and piano lessons before the age of four. At eleven he was admitted to the Central Conservatory in Beijing, one of three students chosen from about 300 applicants. He went on to study in Vienna with Wolfgang Schneiderhan and completed his soloist diploma with Gerhard Hetzel.
In 1989 he co-founded the chamber orchestra Ensemble Classico with Pierre Cochand. Since 1992 he has been first concertmaster of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, and since 2000 artistic director of the Festival Sinfonietta Linz. In 2018 Austria's Federal President awarded him the title of Professor.
With the Vienna Waltz Orchestra he plays solo violin, conducts and presents the programme – audiences in Europe and America know him as "China's Johann Strauss".