Robert Chen

Robert Chen is catalogued here as a conductor and violinist. Our directory shows him leading the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra in a concert titled "Sumptuous Strings" in October 2026, featuring Bach's Double Concerto, Grieg's Holberg Suite, and Dvořák's Serenade for Strings. We have no further verified biographical details for this individual.

This program is built entirely around string sound, with no brass or percussion to cut through the texture. Bach's Double Concerto in D minor puts two solo violins in conversation, trading a falling melodic idea back and forth over a steady pulse from the rest of the strings. Grieg's "Fra Holbergs tid" (From Holberg's Time), written for piano and later arranged for string orchestra, borrows the dance forms of the 1700s, a stately opening, a slow aria-like middle movement, and a brisk closing dance. Dvořák's Serenade for Strings closes the evening with warm, singing lines and a gently rocking waltz, typical of his gift for melody. Listeners can expect a concert of blended, resonant string tone throughout, with the conductor's role centered on balance and phrasing rather than showy contrast between sections.