Arts

12-Year-Old Writes Symphony Performed by the New York Philharmonic — Youngest Composer in Orchestra's History

Elijah Chen, a 12-year-old from Queens, New York, became the youngest composer in the New York Philharmonic's 180-year history when his 20-minute symphony was performed to a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall. Elijah, who began composing at age 7 and has no formal music school training, wrote the piece inspired by his grandmother's stories of immigrating from China. The Philharmonic has commissioned him to write a second work for their 2026 season.