Taipei Chinese Orchestra Embarks on European Tour, Performing at Three Major Concert Halls

Taipei, May 26. The Taipei Chinese Orchestra (TCO) will embark on a European tour in June, presenting the "Taiwanese Scenery" concert. This is the first time a Taiwanese professional orchestra will perform at three major concert halls: the Berlin Philharmonie, the Leipzig Gewandhaus, and the Vienna Musikverein.

TCO Director Zheng Li-bin stated in a press release today that the tour aims to deepen the impression of "Taiwanese music" among European audiences and serve as cultural diplomacy. The orchestra, composed of Taiwanese musicians, insists on performing only works by Taiwanese composers, highlighting 90 years of contemporary Taiwanese music.

The program includes "Taiwan Dance" by composer Jiang Wen-ye, which won a special prize at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After 90 years, it will be performed again in Berlin. Another major work is the "Cello Concerto" by National Award for Arts winner Tyzen Hsiao, featuring Germany-based cellist Yang Wen-sinn. The concert will also feature Wang Yi-yu's flute concerto "Kui's Love" and Zhong Yao-guang's "Taiwanese Scenery," which depicts seven scenic spots in Taiwan.

Zheng stated, "By using the most local materials and performing with confidence, we want to introduce the beautiful island of Taiwan to the world." A pre-tour concert will be held at the National Concert Hall in Taipei on May 28, followed by performances in Berlin on June 3, Leipzig on June 4, and Vienna on June 7.