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As one of those rare musicians who are young but artistically mature and intelligent, Trey Lee is a unique artist who can interpret an amazing range of musical styles and periods. His lyrical performances consistently move with their intensity and poetry, and transcend cultures and time. See what the reviews say...
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"Trey Lee is a former Juilliard student who spent five years as a management consultant before returning to study with Laurence Lesser and Frans Helmerson and winning the 2004 Antonio Janigro Cello Competition. He presents Schumann, Chopin and Mendelssohn for his sophomore disc, as EMI terms it (3 63044 2). A master of the subtle transition between moods, he achieves a lovely, dreamy feel for the Fantasiestücke, and characterizes the Fünf Stücke im Volkston charmingly, with flowing, luscious double-stops in no.3…."
Fresh and Seasoned by Janet Banks
The STRAD, January 2008
On Trey Lee’s EMI 2nd Album “Schumann.Mendelssohn.Chopin”
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"A Star Musician..... As a soloist, Lee is imposing and extremely impressive, who makes use of the entire expressive range of his part and conveys an eloquent continuous dialogue with the music and the orchestra.”
Het Noordhollands Dagblad
(The North Holland Daily)
April 2007
On Trey Lee’s performance of Don Quixote with
Netherland Philharmonic at Royal Concertgebouw Hall
"A Miracle....his feeling towards the Romantic period composers are brought to life in his album from EMI...hearing each time his performance, I get a different feeling. His musicality and spirit contain a 'melancholic freedom' which brings us back to the past..."
GRAMOPHONE, September 2006
On Trey Lee’s EMI 2nd Album “Schumann.Mendelssohn.Chopin”
"Trey's performance was deep and moving with each note creating its biggest impact to the music. Beginning with the strong deep chords, the soloist brought us immediately into an unsettling despair that comes with such melancholic passion while intertwining between sorrow and joy. Trey brought us to a powerful yet vulnerable dream that cannot be disturbed."
TAI KONG PAO, December 2006
On Trey Lee's performance of Elgar Concerto with the Hong Kong Philharmonic
“The musicality, intelligence and passion in his playing shines through, but the music has a purity that is not marred by over-indulgence or vulgarity, so it never loses its core magnetism”
Lucy Zheng, Critic from Beijing News Daily, May 2006
On Trey Lee’s Recital in Beijing, China
“With beautifully judged humour…perfect registers of tone and emotion…and a tasteful interpretation.”
South China Morning Post, May 2006
On Trey Lee’s Recital at Hong Kong City Hall
“In his 2nd album by EMI, Trey Lee moves to a new height in his artistic development…His music takes us to the heart of Schumann… to a completely new level of performance of Mendelssohn…and to the soul of Chopin…”
Audio Technique, May 2006
On Trey Lee’s EMI 2nd Album ‘Schumann.Mendelsohn.Chopin’
"[The] broad style range of Trey Lee's program offered insight into great performance potential of the instrument. Prudent playing in which every phrasing has its cover in logical and musical feature of note satisfies even the most demanding listener.........Pianist Hans Eijsackers, who is also composer, turned supporting section into essential participant responsible for every accomplishment...Outstanding compatibility of those two instruments, as well as sophisticated completeness, generated long applause of the audience at the Rector's Palace."
Sanja Dražiæ, Critic from Slobodna Dalmacija, July 2005
On Trey Lee’s Debut at the Dubrovnik Festival, Croatia
In Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73……both artists unwonted their imagination portraying their collectiveness and inspiration from score in the best possible way. Stravinsky’s Italian Suite was delivered purposefully and with clear inner progression.
Ileana Grazio, Critic from Dubrovacki list, August 2005
On Trey Lee’s Debut at the Dubrovnik Festival, Croatia
"Playing György Ligeti's Sonata, Lee successfully demonstrated the various potentials of his instrument - technical, artistic and musical. The melancholic first section Dialogo surprisingly introduced us into the more aggressive Capriccio, making Lee entice enthusiastic audience's approval with his memorable realization and compact playing..."
Ruskoviæ- Krištiæ, Dubrovaèki vjesnik, July 2005
On Trey Lee’s Debut at the Dubrovnik Festival, Croatia
“…Trey Lee…shows himself to be a versatile cellist with the technical facility to tackle virtuoso repertory nimbly; chestnuts such as Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee are projected with real impact. ...I particularly like the catchy tangos from Finland..., which Lee delivers with persuasive panache....he has also unearthed some Spanish gems, giving a passionate account of three miniatures by Joaquin Nin: sparks fly in the flamenco passages. ....[In the Brahms Sonata, he] plays with a beautifully lyrical tone that suits the material perfectly.”
The STRAD, June 2005
On Trey Lee’s EMI Debut Album
"There are many Chinese musicians living in the West...and I'm working on both Western and Chinese cultures...I think Trey Lee is perfect – he knows both sides [Western and Chinese cultures], and so it's really nice to work with him….He's [Trey Lee] great! He's terrific! I'm so glad we worked together, and I hope to work with him again."
Composer Bright Sheng, January 2005
On collaboration with Trey Lee on “Spring Dream Cello Concerto” by Sheng
“Lee played Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations Op. 33 with both admirable elegance and vigorous determination. The piece contains everything from simple and pure melodies to the most hair-raising acrobatics, venturing through the cello's colossal register. It was a demonstration of the capacity of the instrument as well as that of the soloist. Trey Lee's fingers moved with unimaginable ease, and his soft rounded tones became a sensual adventure. In the encore, a piece from Gaspar Cassado's Suite for Solo Cello, Lee let loose without any inhibitions and showed an even more personal relationship with his cello...."
Vasteras Daily News, Sweden, May 13 2005
On Trey Lee’s concerto appearance at the closing concert of Vasteras Music Festival in Sweden
“However widespread and commercialized the current musical world may be, there are still a few artists imbued with individual artistry who can touch, move and charm the audience with natural and sincere feelings. Trey Lee, the young Chinese cellist, is one of them.”
Zhang Jin Ben, Music Critic, in Audio Frontline magazine, February 2005
On Trey Lee’s recital in Guangzhou, China
“Winner of 2004 International Antonio Janigro Cello Competition, Trey Lee continues the legacy of young Chinese musicians’ achievements internationally similar to Lang Lang and Yundi Li. As one of the major recording companies, EMI will not miss the opportunity to sign the new star, particularly when Universal has Lang Lang and Yundi Li, and Sony Classic has Yo Yo Ma.”
PC Market, January 2005
On Trey Lee’s debut album on the EMI Music label
“Lee has got great talent of understanding the language of modern music, its gestures and meanings. Exactly as in Penderecki’s Concerto in semifinals he created Lutoslawski’s Concerto to become a whole, transparent and lyric world. He listened to every tone and shade intensively by his beautifully sounded cello that sang lightly. Lee got willingness to interpret and he got his own musical opinions as well. It was proved by the clear form which he gave to Lutoslawski’s Concerto…”
Helsingin Sanomat (Finland’s largest daily newspaper), November 15, 2002
On Trey Lee’s performance at 2002 International Paulo Cello Competition
“Lee made Penderecki’s Concerto to become a transparent and elegy song for cello… Quiet and virtuoso's clarity introduced the composition from a totally new aspect. Lee had found a world of poetry nuances from it.”
Helsingin Sanomat, November 12, 2002
Commenting on Trey Lee’s performance at 2002 International Paulo Cello Competition
“Lee played as well a fine version of Penderecki’s Concerto. It was full of shine and colors…He had really internalized the notes and interpreted feelings and forms very well.”
Hufvudstadsbladet, November 12, 2002
Commenting on Trey Lee’s performance at 2002 International Paulo Cello Competition
“Lee played Penderecki like virtuoso.”
Aamulehti, November 12, 2002
Commenting on Trey Lee’s performance at 2002 International Paulo Cello Competition
“My experience as head of the jury for the Janigro Competition in Zagreb Croatia was a very gratifying one. The standard of performance was as high as any world-class competition. The winner Trey Lee played with the authority and style of a cellist ready for a grand career. My hope is that his success in Zagreb is the start for an international recognition of this fine talent.”
Bernard Greenhouse, co-founder of Beaux Arts Trio
President of Jury
2004 International Antonio Janigro Cello Competition
“Trey to me is a very, very talented cellist, what is even more important is he is a very smart person. His way of approaching music for me is very simple and very fresh. He has a technical facility but he is always looking for some message in his playing and that for me is very important.”
Luis Claret, Renowned Cellist
Jury Member
2004 International Antonio Janigro Cello Competition
“The Brahms Sonata [Op. 78] represents the main focus of the album. Lee’s musical depth makes the work seems to be even more suitable for cello than violin, and brings out more the introspective side of Brahms music. In addition, Lee was able to grasp the poetry and romance behind the two Brahms Songs – Wie Melodien zieht es mir and Feldeinsamkeit.”
Hi-Fi Review magazine, Hong Kong, March 2005
On Trey Lee’s EMI album
“Young cellist Trey Lee last night performed at Macau Cultural Center which represented the end of his tour at the region. He played works from Boccherini, Dvorak, Schumann and Chopin…. and gave an outstanding interpretation which mesmerized the entire audience.”
Macau Daily News, February 2005
On Trey Lee’s recital in Macau, China
“[Trey] has outstanding technical ability with incredible precision. More importantly, however, is his performance filled with imaginative interpretation and feeling.”
Singtao Daily (Hong Kong’s major daily newspaper), February 2005
On Trey Lee’s performance at “Leader of the Year” award ceremony
“In the first movement of Haydn’s Concerto in D Major, Lee chose quite a slow tempo. There were many beautiful and even fragile moments in the movement. The second movement went….beautifully. In the third movement he played fluently.”
Aamulehti, November 12, 2002
Commenting on Trey Lee’s performance at 2002 International Paulo Cello Competition
“He can create colorful and lyrical melody lines….his virtuosity and speed are top grade.”
Helsingin Sanomat, November 12, 2002
Commenting on Trey Lee’s performance at 2002 International Paulo Cello Competition
“Lee represents the best young Chinese cellists! I always have great admiration for his talent and instinct.”
Bernard Greenhouse, co-founder of Beaux Arts Trio
Jury Member
2001 Naumburg International Cello Competition
“Besides being talented, he is intelligent, his hands are fleet. Although he left the cello for five years, when he came back, he improved wondrously. In the long journey of a musician’s life, his maturity can attract more audience.”
Bernard Greenhouse, co-founder of Beaux Arts Trio
President of Jury
55th Geneva International Music Competition, 2000
"Trey did give a good performance in the 7 January 2005 concert with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, playing music with natural fluidity; his bowing and fingerwork were also virtuosic with an easy grace……"
Vincent Mak, Music Critic, January 2005
On Trey Lee’s performance with Bright Sheng on “Spring Dream” Cello Concerto
“Trey is a very promising and talented musician with strong musicality. He has very good phrasing and a natural sense of music. It is good that Trey has decided to return to music – both for himself and for the audience.”
Vincent Mak, Music Critic, March 2004
On Trey Lee’s 2004 Hong Kong Arts Festival’s Recital in February, 2004
“Not only did Trey’s April 3rd, 2001, recital at the City Hall Concert Hall promote the fact that he is an international competition winner, but more importantly, the recital proved to the audience that Trey is a real winner……”
Tina Fu, Music Critic from Ming Pao Daily News, April 2001
On Trey Lee’s Hong Kong debut recital
“A warm and expressive player with generous tone..”
El Pais (Spain’s main daily newspaper), May 2000
Commenting on Trey Lee’s performance
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