January 24, 2015
Happy New Year everyone! I know, I know.... I have not updated my website for a long time, even though a lot has been going on in the past month in Taiwan. Well, it not too late to share with you what I have learned.
On December 19th, I gave a full percussion solo recital with only contemporary music in Forum Auditorium, Taipei, with 4 Taiwanese premiers. I played works by Mette Nielsen, Anders Monrad, Jeppe Just Christiansen, Pierluiggi Billone, and Iannis Xenakis. A lot of people told me that this kinds of program would scare the audience away, but I didn't believe it, and I didn't want to put the audiences down, even before I begin. I wanted to do an experiment- if I am completely honest, how would the audience recieve me?
I have been questioning about the culture of putting an unpersonal, official biography on the program. Usually the biography stresses about the education and the prize of the performer, which, in my opinion, has very little to do ith the essence concert and the performer itself. So, instead of an official CV, I wrote a personal introduction about myself, my vision for contemporary music, and why it is interesting for me. I also wrote the program note as first person, not the third person.
I sensed that the seperation between me and the audience disappeared already from the second piece of the concert. I spoke between each piece, guiding the audiences with images and stories. I sensed that the audiences were no longer left along by the performer.
Even though I was extremely tired because of the lack of sleep during that period, my message went through.
On Jan.9 and 10, I played as percussion soloist with Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra. It has been a very big honor, and my experiences confirms me again and again, that a musician only has to serve music during the rehearsals and performance, nothing more. There is no need to be a star, a diva...absolutely no need. I actually can't do it.
It was also delightful to see the audiences' reaction on Regin Petersons new work " If I Had A Hammer," which was Taiwanese premiere. The idea was so clear and creative, that even 10 year old and 90 year old could understand it.
Anders Koppel's marimba concerto No.1 was also a success.
That is what I would share for now.
Happy New Year everyone! I know, I know.... I have not updated my website for a long time, even though a lot has been going on in the past month in Taiwan. Well, it not too late to share with you what I have learned.
On December 19th, I gave a full percussion solo recital with only contemporary music in Forum Auditorium, Taipei, with 4 Taiwanese premiers. I played works by Mette Nielsen, Anders Monrad, Jeppe Just Christiansen, Pierluiggi Billone, and Iannis Xenakis. A lot of people told me that this kinds of program would scare the audience away, but I didn't believe it, and I didn't want to put the audiences down, even before I begin. I wanted to do an experiment- if I am completely honest, how would the audience recieve me?
I have been questioning about the culture of putting an unpersonal, official biography on the program. Usually the biography stresses about the education and the prize of the performer, which, in my opinion, has very little to do ith the essence concert and the performer itself. So, instead of an official CV, I wrote a personal introduction about myself, my vision for contemporary music, and why it is interesting for me. I also wrote the program note as first person, not the third person.
I sensed that the seperation between me and the audience disappeared already from the second piece of the concert. I spoke between each piece, guiding the audiences with images and stories. I sensed that the audiences were no longer left along by the performer.
Even though I was extremely tired because of the lack of sleep during that period, my message went through.
On Jan.9 and 10, I played as percussion soloist with Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra. It has been a very big honor, and my experiences confirms me again and again, that a musician only has to serve music during the rehearsals and performance, nothing more. There is no need to be a star, a diva...absolutely no need. I actually can't do it.
It was also delightful to see the audiences' reaction on Regin Petersons new work " If I Had A Hammer," which was Taiwanese premiere. The idea was so clear and creative, that even 10 year old and 90 year old could understand it.
Anders Koppel's marimba concerto No.1 was also a success.
That is what I would share for now.
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