Chicago Sinfonietta
“Chen… [has] helped the players [that she’s inherited] to deliver performances on a higher level than they’ve been able to show in recent years… The Beethoven sounded as if this were an almost entirely new orchestra… The entire evening gave signs of great things to come for this rare talent and orchestra and their unique joint mission.”
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
“On the podium, Chen led animatedly without a score. It was an enthralling and imaginative reading of this magical piece, and every phrase had something to say. Her tempos were well-chosen. The conductor whipped up drama and excitement in the sweeping sea music… The musicians responded with playing that was vivid, nuanced and precise
[Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade].”
CINCINNATI ENQUIRER
Florida Orchestra
“Shostakovich’s Festival Overture got Saturday’s program off to a lively start under guest conductor Mei-Ann Chen…She is an exciting young talent to keep an eye on.”
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES (Florida)
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
“Speaking of stars, the Boettcher audience caught a glimpse of one in the making…Here is a confident, engaging musician who was able to inject Beethoven’s Coriolan overture with a fresh degree of drama, lyricism and transparency. Her podium manner is thrilling to watch, passionate and committed, yet on the money with cues and pacing. Watch for her.”
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS (Denver)
Chicago Sinfonietta
“[Chen] seems to be just the conductor the orchestra needs, too…[she] displayed both a crispness and a sense of shading and nuance that allowed these fine musicians to be heard at their best. That she showed keen understanding of these varied styles and true finesse in an outdoor venue new to her should mean great things for this new partnership.”
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra
“Chen was totally convincing as a conductor full of surplus energy. In addition, however, she showed such a respect for the details that it seemed hardly possible to get any closer to perfection.”
THE ADRESSEAVISEN (Trondheim, Norway)
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
“Chen led the most refined, the most searching, performance I've ever heard [Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini]. The ASO has always played beautifully for Chen…the whole thing crackled with spontaneity.”
COMMERCIAL APPEAL (Memphis)
Portland Youth Philharmonic
“…the 110 players gave a jaw-dropping performance [of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring]…Bringing it all together was Chen’s precise and electric technique on the podium.”
THE OREGONIAN