Taipei, March 2 (CNA) The Taipei Traditional Festival will open March 7 with a concert by the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, which will include the world premiere of its latest piece, it said Tuesday.
The six-movement suite, titled "Tribute to Taipei," was commissioned by the orchestra and composed by Yen Ming-hsiu, an associate professor at Taipei National University of the Arts and composer of several pieces for orchestras across the country.
The world premiere of the piece at the annual Taipei Traditional Festival on March 7 will feature soprano Lin Ling-hui and the orchestra's chorus, said the orchestra's general director and conductor Cheng Li-pin at a press conference.
With lyrics written by Golden Melody Award-winner Huang Ying (黃瑩), the suite reflects the history and culture of Taipei, highlighting elements such as Lungshan Temple, Taipei 101 skyscraper's New Year fireworks, and the historic symbolism of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall plaza, the site of several pro-democracy rallies since 1990, Cheng said.
The Taipei Chinese Orchestra concert will also include "Glimmer of Zodiac Signs" by composer Lo Leung-fai (盧亮輝) and "Fire Ritual Huqin Concerto" by Tan Dun (譚盾), with erhu player Wang Ying-chieh (王瀅絜), a former member of the orchestra, giving a solo performance during the latter piece.
The Taipei Traditional Festival, now in its 34th year, will feature 27 presentations, concluding with an opera production titled "Formosa Bloom," which tells the story of Tiunn Tshong-bing (張聰明), wife of late Canadian Presbyterian missionary George Leslie Mackay, at the National Theater on June 26 and 27.
