Department of Cultural Affairs

By Psyche Cho
Staff Reporter

Traditional Chinese music can be labeled as classic and something reserved to certain groups, or it can be reinvented to attract young music goers.  

The Taipei Traditional Arts Festival 2012, one of Taiwan's premier annual cultural events, highlights cross-border cooperation between Oriental traditional music and Western orchestral music, gathering world-acclaimed musicians from Taiwan and abroad in a series that will play out over three months in Taipei. 

The 2012 edition, which marks the 25th anniversary of the event, will run through June 3 in Zhongshan Hall, a venue with great historical significance, and conclude with an eight-day international conference that hopes to find a way out for folk music.

Hosted by the Taipei Chinese Orchestra (TCO), this grand event pushes boundaries and presents an unprecedented mixture of traditional and modern arts.

During the two-month session the TCO will be taking on a challenge by presenting a wide range of programs covering theatre, music masters, classics, new voices and Silk Road– and providing diverse choices that will satisfy audiences from 0 to 99 in age.

"The 2012 edition highlights two focuses. One is composers, and the other is the first-ever TCO Taipei Chinese Music Festival," said TCO General Director Chung Yiu-kwong in the opening ceremony held March 27.

Composers from here and abroad team up with cross-field talents to present a diverse style of performance. One highlight is Zhao Jiping's Master of the Film Score, featuring popular selections.

"This year's edition features a series of rich programs," said Zhao, who had his film score selections performed by the TCO during his debut in Taiwan in 1994. "Reuniting with peers through music excites me, especially once-again cooperation with the TCO," he said during the opening ceremony.

The festival's programs reveal a deep curiosity concerning cultures and music genres. Various instruments, theaters, and cross-field collaborations ensure that all music fans will find some favorites.

Several world-acclaimed players and troupes have been invited to brighten the festival. On the first weekend of April, Cantonese vocalist Susanna Kwan will perform tunes from old films in the program Pearl of the Orient.

Erhu player Min Huifen, known for her expressive style, will treat music fans to well-known tunes through her emotional interpretations, jointly with the TCO on April 15.

On April 20, there will be a violin concerto that audiences won't want to miss—The Butterfly Lovers, featuring respected cellist Kong Chao-hui and the TCO. Based on a household story about a tragedy between Liang Shanpo and Ju Yingtai, the piece is among Kong's most popular works. 

Aside from music, other traditional art genres are also included in this year's edition, which is part of the TCO's efforts in promoting traditional arts. Taiwanese puppet theater shows, Taiwanese Opera performances and dances are also included in the programming.

The Hsin-Hsing Ke Hand Puppet Troupe will present a 16-day run of Love in the Westward. Adapted from well-known folklore, the show challenges the conflict between male and female protagonists, which is believed to be most difficult to interpret.

Yi-Shin Taiwanese Opera Troupe will present the court drama Justice Pao in Qingtian Bao Saved the Queen April 20. The series will continue as Lan-Yang Taiwanese Opera Company will also stage the court fable Exchanging a Leopard Cat for a Prince, one that reflects issues on survival even in modern society May 6.

To complement the series of traditional arts performances, Xiu-Qing Yang Folk Arts Troupe will delight audiences with the whimsical Musca Mosquito Big Battle Song, featuring their narrative and musical performance, on April 29.
 
In the dance genre, Jade & Artists Dance Troupe will stage An Encounter in Time on May 11, which elaborates on possible forms of love in three separate stories.
"I try to explore the potential connection that exists or once existed between two individuals, said Troupe Director Jade Hua. It's also her ambition to present other possible interpretations of love in contemporary life through her productions.

To pay a tribute to deceased flute master Yu Xunfa, the TCO will team up with its counterpart the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and several flutists to present a concert highlighting Yu's works, and also to delve into the art of flute performing.

In the international exchange part, the Silk Road segment of the festival signifies a channel connecting East and West, and the TCO presents the From Silk Road to Warsaw in this spirit.

On the evening of May 5, the TCO and the Szymanowski Quartet will demonstrate an intercultural dialogue through programs including Zhao Jiping's Follow the Pagoda Tree to Trace the Roots of Our Ancestors; Ravel's Introduction et Allegro for Harp, String Quartet and Chinese Orchestra; Chung Yiu-kwong's Beyond the Silk Road Concerto for String Quartet and Chinese Orchestra; and other tunes.

Following From Silk Road to Warsaw, legendary percussionist Evelyn Glennie is invited to present a concert with the TCO in A Passionate Drumbeat on May 20, with a program including works by Guo Wenjin, Chung Yiu-kwong and Tan Dun. Fans of diverse music will not want to miss the chance to feel the chemistry of breath-taking beats.  

The Taipei Traditional Arts Festival 2012 will close on a lively note. Aside from programs presented by world-acclaimed musicians from Taiwan and abroad, this year's edition further coincides with the first-ever TCO Taipei Chinese Music Festival.

"Embarking on our way onto the international stage, we must bring back international experiences and take root in Taiwan," noted Chung.

Time brings out the classics, and there is always a need to find new voices. Thus the TCO is reserving a spot on stage for other young performers, giving them a chance to be seen in the world.

Collaboration with Local artists, therefore, is the focal point this time. "The TCO Taipei Chinese Music Festival is virtually arranged for local performers," he said. Put together with an eye to bringing citizens closer to traditional Chinese music, seven programs and one contest are planned.

The Southern Taiwan Erhu Ensemble will join hands with Kenny Wen and Jessie Hou, two local Erhu masters, to present a concert on May 31. With a repertoire ranging from classic tunes to popular songs, they try to create a new and romantic music language through traditional instruments.

Another concert falling on June 3 features budding local musicians. The star-studded assemble includes TV program hostess Janet Hsieh, who is also a violinist, and TCO's Erhu player Wang Ming-yu. Together they will add a lively air to a conventional Chinese orchestra performance. 

Traditional music is now no longer exclusive to older listeners, but can also attract and hold the attention of youngsters. The TCO Taipei Chinese Music Festival has especially arranged several concerts that highlight cooperation between veteran musicians and student troupes.

After enjoying a rich feast on traditional Chinese music and other art performances, on June 3, the final day of the two-month long festival, audiences still can look forward to a creative instrumental ensemble competition.

The contest is slated to take place in the plaza of Taipei Zhongshan Hall and is free of charge. Listeners can vote for their favorite performers right on site. The first place winner will be awarded a prize of NT$200,000. 

Visit the TCO's website www.tco.taipei.gov.tw for detailed information on programs.