Yushan Chinese Orchestra 2017 Annual Concert: Rhapsody of the Earth

(Above) The guqin personally made by Teacher Lin Wen-chi, the late leader of the wind and percussion section of the Yushan Chinese Orchestra who passed away 10 years ago, has been sealed for 10 years and will be movingly brought back to life on 9/30.

Conductor Tseng then emphasized that the reason they were able to overcome the difficulties and get everything ready for the guqin to appear on stage this time was, first of all, that among the members there is a guzheng virtuoso under 30, Yang Hui-fen, who was willing to take on the challenge of the guqin's first performance. The guqin to be played on that occasion was personally made by Teacher Lin Wen-chi, the leader of the wind and percussion section who passed away 10 years ago. Playing the guqin left behind by Teacher A-chi, Hui-fen's inner emotion can well be imagined, yet the sound of the instrument came across as especially steady and rich, conveying a sense of emotion and warmth; it can be said to be the most priceless and precious performance in 10 years.

The Yushan Chinese Orchestra has always observed the trends of music and kept its finger on the pulse of musical styles, hoping to perform music that is approachable yet never cliched, shaping the diversity of the orchestra's performance style. Every annual performance, besides inviting master musicians to create customized new works for the orchestra, also rigorously selects classic works by famous artists, hoping to convey the orchestra's dedication to Chinese music while attracting more enthusiasts and taking in new blood to pass on its artistic value. Music lovers from all walks of life are welcome to come to the comfortable concert hall on a crisp autumn evening to enjoy the musical feast of the Yushan Chinese Orchestra.

Rhapsody of the Earth Program

The achievement presentation concert has two major sections:

A. Works commissioned by the orchestra and rearranged older works.

B. Other ensemble and instrumental concerto pieces.

The entire performance runs about 100 minutes (including intermission). The detailed program is as follows:

1. Song of the Earth (newly created premiere ensemble piece) composed by Kuo Che-cheng

2. Yearning Under the Moon (rearranged ensemble of an older work) arranged by Lin Chun-pin

3. Forest Rhapsody (newly arranged ensemble) composed by Wu Chin-tai, arranged by Tseng Kuo-chen

4. Road of the Sea (newly arranged ensemble) Japanese melody, arranged by Tseng Kuo-chen

5. Joyous Heart (newly arranged ensemble) composed by Lin Hai, arranged by Tseng Kuo-chen

6. Guanshan Moon (daruan concerto) arranged by Chou Cheng-lung

7. Journey to Gusu (dizi concerto) composed by Chiang Hsien-wei, orchestrated by Ku Kuan-jen

8. Mountain Moon Welcomes the Monk (ensemble) composed by Chen Ta-wei

9. Boat Song of the Water Village (ensemble) composed by Chen Ta-wei

10. Fisherman's Song (bawu concerto) arranged by Yen Tieh-ming

11. Frontier Dance (guzheng concerto) arranged by Hsia Yen

12. New Charm of Silk and Bamboo (ensemble) composed by Yang Chun-lin

Performers:

Orchestra leader / Tseng Kuo-chen Conductor / Ho Li-jen Narration / Huang Hsueh-chiao

Soprano dizi / Lin Chao-yung Alto dizi / Wei Hsiu-chin Xiao / Chen Chih-hao

Soprano sheng / Lin Chien-tai Gaohu / Lin Hsiao-lin Erhu / Li Ting-an, Lin Peng-wei

Zhonghu / Wang Yueh-chin Cello / Wang Yi-hsuan Double bass / Tseng Kuo-chen

Pipa / Lin Ju-chun Yangqin / Cheng Yi-chun Zhongruan / Lai Tsui-yuan

Daruan / Chou Shih-jung Guzheng / Wang Yi-ying Guqin / Yang Hui-fen

Percussion / Tseng Yu-lun, Chang Ya-jen

Performance time and venue:

Time: September 30, 106th year of the Republic (Saturday) 19:30

Venue: Performance Hall, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Nantou County Government (free admission) No. 135, Jianguo Road, Nantou City

Telephone: 049-2231191