Did TwoSet actually IMPROVE?! [Professional Violinist Reviews] 

@raychenviolinist this is a spoiler for your vid already 🤣🤣

Tonic doesn't work on tablet! Off screen to setup!😢

You, Sir, are God's gift to mankind! The way you play the violin... it touches my soul in nooks I've never known it had! Hearing you play brings me a little closer to heaven. THANK YOU for it ❤

It's soo lucky for us to have a top class solo violinist to give us violin tips ❤❤🫡💗

Did you miss a note?

Hey man! How was your day?

Totally agree!! When I heard them play I was thinking “hmmmm they don’t sound like RU-vidrs at all”🤣🤣🤣

I might go to the Amsterdam show but I'd really raise the average age there.

Yeah but their tickets are even expensive than Hanh's! Isn't that too much...overconfident?

go! it'd be great to be surrounded by kiddos at a concert and cheer along with them@@Cloxxkiand you might see ppl your age, too, who knows?

There was an interesting vid they did a while back where a group of very young musicians had to rate their ability and choose the best violinist for each piece. One critique of Brett was that he stood still and they didn't feel that he 'felt' the music. For the next piece he 'moved' - what a difference! The vid was titled KIDS DECIDE WHO'S A BETTER VIOLINIST

interesting

I don't know much about violin, but I actually got the opposite impression - Brett's playing feels smoother and more natural/relaxed (better technique?), while Eddy's playing and technique feels more intentional, almost like he has this box of tools and his mind is constantly whirling, choosing which tool to employ.

Brett is a great composer. Have you heard his lo-fi masterpiece??!

This comment would break Eddy’s heart 💔

@@droidgeistI need something new to study to

​@@droidgeist Also his movie track, and Jungle Phonk

I'll always think of Brett as concertmaster track, and Eddy's on the soloist track

Yes very iNtErEsTiNg!

wOw!

A m a z i n g .

I like how this is the top comment

@@Nathanael_Grant twoset fans will know why

Why would they not be able to reach the Level of a soloist tho, if they put in the work anything is possible I think.

next life@@luznnnnn9524

@luznnnnn9524 Same answer as why there are only so few well known soloists when so many people are learning the violin. Why there is only one Lang Lang when so many families invest thousands and thousands of dollars on their kids' piano playing. Why there is this one student who looks like he/she never studies as hard as others but ace the class anyways. Everyone has their own unique potential and talent, and of course at the same time, everyone has things he or she can't achieve no matter how hard they try, so called limits. And it's ok to have limits. They have dream, they tried, they are still making music and enjoying the process, that's probably more important.

@@simplytwosetter yes its true there are Familys who Invest thousands but i think the difference between a lang lang and a really great musician is the last percent of effort and passion And i think almost every musician who has the time and Love for their Instrument can achive greatness with enough work and passion

​@@luznnnnn9524 (didn't mean to ramble so much so here's a tldr: you can still be a great musician without being in the top 1%) I agree, but "greatness" doesn't have to mean God-tier virtuoso. I'd say that the top-tier soloists are the exception, not the standart. Everyone has their limitations and that's fine. Musicians aren't divided into geniuses and failures, just because someone isn't on Hilary Hahn level doesn't mean they're bad or mediocre. A lot of non-world-class-soloist level musicians are still great professionals and very enjoyable to listen to. Personally, I actually prefer the non-prodigy performers because they tend to feel more "organic" to my ears. I do respect the world-class virtuosos and I enjoy watching them and marvelling at their skill, but when I just want ro relax and get lost in the music, I will look for a clean, maybe more "vulnerable" playing where the piece is at the forefront, not the incredible skill of the soloist. To me, neither type of performance is better or worse, they're just great in different ways. Many great musicians work hard and are passionate about what they do, but maybe the virtuosi like Ray or Chloe Chua or HH are just physically (manual dexterity) and neurologically (ability to focus) wired in a way that makes it easier for them to master the techniques that most players struggle with. I don't know how exactly prodigies work, but I imagine there are some bioligical factors that a person just can't control. Doesn't mean they can't still be a fantastic player.

memento mori

Here, in this recent ABC (Australian Story) documentary you can find the turning point: 'How @twosetviolin is shaking up classical music | Brett Yang + Eddy Chen'

Thank you for mentioning that video. Found it. It's amazing to see the struggle and perseverence.

LOL, would love that!

I agree! I love this piece and it was amazing!

They do take masterclasses i think, Eddy def got one from Hilary for his Sibelius 3M

​@@LinhChi93 True!

That's only if you do not like the instrument. I mean, you like the result of practicing but do not actually like playing the instrument itself. Otherwise you'd be craving for practicing every day and need to "find time" for all other stuffs let it be sleep, study, or whatever.

​@@poyenwuI agree 💯

Agreed…it’s really great that they have each other…their friendship is beautiful..

Neither of them would pass the first round of a really good orchestra audition.

@@IZn0g0uDatAll They were part of the Sydney symphony orchestra for years?

@@IZn0g0uDatAllSo tell us, what orchestra are you in, and whose auditions you've gone for :)

@@talamioros i’m in the Oslo Philharmonic andi have taken auditions and went to final rounds in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Glasgow and London. Hope it’s good enough. The level of violinists entering these days in those capital city orchestra is way above the 2set violin guys. That Mendelssohn would never in a million year get you a tutti job.

@@IZn0g0uDatAllWell that Mendelssohn obviously wouldn’t get him a tutti job because it’s not meant to be an audition piece for a tutti job to begin with??Dude literally played in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra PLUS they never claimed themselves to be world-class players, just dudes trying to make classical music accessible - you’re upholding the exact elitism that they’ve been talking about💀

Hmmm I think you may have made that up to convince yourself

No matter what the endeavor ...there are never any excuses.

You're right, during their first world tour they customised their concerts to the country they were performing in. So in almost all of their shows there was a part that they were playing for the first time (the Bach Double in Singapore is memorable 😅).

​@@M_SC The videos are literally on RU-vid. Maybe next time check the facts before accusing someone of making things up. ;-)

No sure they could have been lent strads in concert in 2023

I missed their London concert (being wheeled into theatre for surgery to a # wrist!) So annoyed not to have been there. But 'TOP' of their game? Not even Vengerov would say that. Never top; always climbing ever upwards but we love hearing them improve along their way....

​@@hazelco8622 They were only loaned the Strads for a couple of months for their concert celebrating 4 million subscribers at the end of 2022. For their current world tour they are playing on their Widenhouse that they've had for more than three years now.

Whoa!❤❤❤

Well this tour started last summer in fact, and Europe, Canada, the States and somewhere their end have already been covered. They're taking their time which is nice. I missed out through an accident but next time, gotta be there....

Just a precision, that's actually their third world tour. The first one was from 2016 and 2019 . It started as three concerts in Australia which had so much success that they decided to go and perform in other countries (30+ cities on 4 continents). The pandemic forced them to cancel their shows, so in 2021 they made a virtual world tour with several concerts that were livestreamed on all 5 continents. This third tour started last summer. So far they've performed in 23 cities and more are coming this year. (In case you want to watch these concerts, all the recordings available are on my channel, including their show with Davie504 and the concert celebrating them reaching 4 million subscribers. )

Replying to my own comment! They're doing a re-tour of their world tour so covering many more cities in Europe and returning to the UK!!! Yay. Got to get to Manchester this time but bought my ticket within minutes of the notification!!

@@wakingtheworld You did well in buying your ticket very quickly, the seats to their concerts tend to sell at lightning speed... Enjoy ! 😊👍🏻

Not just that, Eddy has always suffered from low self-esteem. So while Ray may give him pointers and constructive criticism in person, he's probably not going to do so on camera out of consideration.

​@@A-du1mr Not to dismiss your opinion but Ray, Brett and Eddy grew up in the same city. When they met, Ray was at the beginning of his career while Brett and Eddy were still in uni and TwoSet hadn't even been created. They've been friends for about a decade, so I'm gonna assume the three of them know each other a little bit more and on a deepest level than you...

Ray is a prodigy, TwoSet are painfully aware that they aren't. But they are brave enough to bring on Hilary, Ray and Chloe, not to leave out Christian Li, who were born prodigies. We can easily argue that TwoSet has made the biggest contribution to classical music by their connection with millions of young fans. The prodigies have a lot to thank Brett and Eddy for!!

TwoSet Violin play Navarra for their Virtual World Tour After Party TwoSet Violin World Tour - Navarra (Berlin)

And it seems very condenscending - regarding all orchestra musicians. They both played first violin in professional orchestras.

There's the engineer that has his bachelor's, then there's the engineer that can build things that don't break. Theres a gap.

As you point out, Brett was better technically at the beginning but Eddy was more artistic. Both have so much improved in the other way that they are both very strong in both categories now. That's why they do duets so well. It's like one violin playing all parts.

I think Brett improved more and faster, but in 2023 I feel Eddy show much improvement too

I have the impression that Brett has more stage fright than Eddy or handles it worse. Eddy seems to enjoy time on stage while playing. Brett is confident when talking, but loses a bit of it when playing.

Brett, more because i think he had more room for improvement. Eddy was a little more musically mature i think in the beginning but now you can see Brett as you said, has become a musician instead of a robot.

I think Brett improved the most, his confidence and the emotion in his playing has shot up. Watching his Mendelssohn performance with Singapore Symphony was like seeing the fully evolved Brett!

..though I imagine having a poor quality instrument as a beginner might hold you back, because it’s so difficult to achieve the sound you know you are aiming for…

I'm a big believer in "you should live until you die". Now clearly physical and mental health can play a part as you get older, but as long as you're physically and mentally able to do something, don't let the "age number" stop you. I wish you all the best with your playing :))

@@antine1279 Thank you. Have a wonderful and blessed life. 🙏🙏🙏

@@antine1279 When people find out how old I am they are surprised and said : “Funny you don’t act your age.” I would say: “Show me a manual on how one should act in their 70’s and I might considered it.” (Not!)🙄That because I’m young at heart ❤️ I don’t follow society norms. If I do you would be dead right now. ⚰️🪦 As Auntie’s Maine once said: “You got to live, live, live!” 😃😄😁

@@user-ll6se8kv9i it's inspiring to hear that and thank you for sharing! Too many people "believe" they are too old for something/should or shouldn't do something based on age, but that's all it is - a belief. And not a good one to have. I was lucky to have met a handful of people in their 80s and even 90s who lived their lives until they died. Sure they had some medical issues and lived within those limitations, but they LIVED. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours :))

I always reflect on having a positive attitude in life. I step over negative people and their negative perception. They just wanted to drag you down to their level. They have no purpose in society. I choose not to participate in their belief. God has been good in his teaching. Take Care and have a wonderful and blessed life. 🙏🙏🙏

hmm, i hope they consider that instead of a new concerto. the 3M's livestream audio sucks

@@oxoelfoxo I know! Such a pity but they didn't have the huge amount of money needed to hire a hall, the orchestra, the professional filming etc. Brett was THE orchestra!!

yo, you watched them in two continents and want to add another one?!

I am working for an international organization, traveling a lot - checking the local classical music performances. I want to be sure they do improve,😁 and extremely enjoying the very different audiences.

how awesome for your friend (and you, since it's nice to watch concerts with friends)

Seattle gang hi!!!! I went to the Twoset Tour last year too and going to see Ray Chen in April🎉🎉

@@kingkongwingkkw I can’t wait . I’m working on my bucket list…..I saw LangLang at the Royal Albert Hall in October 22 when he debuted his new Disney album, then Two Set Violin TWICE in 23, and now Ray Chen in 24. Yay. Sadly they never come to tiny Portland.

@@oxoelfoxo and now she is hooked on classical music. She recently went to a Beethoven concert with her fiancé at the Barbican in London and they both were enthralled. Two Set has opened up the classical music world to so many people. Me, I’ve listened and played classical music for 60+ years

@@g.970 No way!! I went to Lang Lang too! His encore “moon over the calm lake” had me in tears😭 I’m also going to Yuja Wang in May. Please lmk if you’re interested in any future classical concerts, we can be concert buddies 😆😆

@@T-elegram_RealRayChen The location is unclear.

I love Eddy's emotionality when he plays! Very few musicians do that. But I love Brett too and his Mendelssohn brings me so much joy. His emotions are on his sleeve for this one!

Brett is objectively the better player

They are starting the 3th leg of their world tour (Australia, NZ, iIngpore) this Friday. 7 concert in less than 3 weeks, so you might have to wait a little:-)