What Do You Do When Your Violin String Breaks During a Solo?

Ray Chen, a master violist, was recently performing Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Seattle Symphony in Benaroya Hall. During his solo, the E-string on Chen’s violin snapped.

He doesn’t stop playing, though. First, he signals the conductor that he has a problem. Then, in a smooth motion, at a good break in the music, he swaps instruments with the concertmaster (which, I gather, is a title for the first violinist). The concertmaster then swaps with the second chair next to him, who swaps with the fourth chair. Meanwhile, Chen is powering up with his borrowed instrument.

-via Twisted Sifter