Cellist Chang Cheng-chieh Commissions New Piece "Keelung Islet" in Dialogue with Hometown
Cellist Chang Cheng-chieh is set to hold a "From Keelung to Vienna" recital tour. In addition to classical masterpieces, he has commissioned a new piece, "Keelung Islet," from fellow Keelung native, composer Lin Chia-ying. The work showcases the deep affection both artists, who were musically trained in Europe, hold for their hometown. Chang is known for his creative approach to music, and his concerts frequently sell out. The tour will run from May to September in Kaohsiung, Taipei, and Taichung.
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Cellist Chang Cheng-chieh is about to hold his "From Keelung to Vienna" recital tour. Besides performing classical masterpieces, he has commissioned composer Lin Chia-ying, who is also from Keelung, to create a new piece titled "Keelung Islet," showcasing their deep affection for their hometown after their European musical baptism.
In a media interview, Chang Cheng-chieh stated that for years he has held an annual cello recital and has always wanted to commission a cello piece. "Not too contemporary, so that more people can play it; not too difficult to listen to, so as not to scare away music fans." It so happened that Lin Chia-ying, a former piano student of his wife, pianist Hsieh Wan-ling, had switched to composition and won multiple international composition awards, which led to this commission.
Lin Chia-ying expressed that the inspiration for "Keelung Islet" came from memories of looking back at her hometown's mountain and sea landscapes after living abroad for many years. "The music incorporates the flow of the sea breeze while driving on the coastal highway, and the sense of freedom and vastness from gazing at Keelung Islet from afar." Lin said she has never actually set foot on Keelung Islet, and this sense of distance during the writing process instead brought a hazy imagination and creative interest.
Lin mentioned that in the past, when receiving rigorous academic training in Europe, creators often faced peer pressure, wondering, "Is it complex enough? What will the professors and critics think?" But after being invited to compose the theme music for the Taiwan Lantern Festival, she began to reflect on the ultimate meaning of musical exchange. "Music should not be complex for complexity's sake, but should resonate with people."
Chang Cheng-chieh can be said to be Taiwan's most creative cellist. In 2006, as the world celebrated composer Mozart's 250th birthday, only Chang Cheng-chieh held his cello in a grand "protest." The reason was that out of Mozart's over 600 compositions, only one was tailored for the cello: the "Sonata for Bassoon and Cello." He said, "I wanted to sing Mozart's praises, but I faced the dilemma of having no music to play, so I had to protest."
In 2020, the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, the global music scene was nearly at a standstill due to the pandemic. Chang launched a parent-child concert series called "Don't Let Beethoven Be Sad." He said, "Beethoven's anniversary is a major event for the classical music world, but with venues closed worldwide, the commemorative activities became desolate, which I found very regrettable." It is this empathetic creativity that makes Chang Cheng-chieh's concerts sell out instantly upon release.
Chang believes the point is not the ticket price, but the act of selling tickets itself. "I just love to see tickets for a concert selling like a famous braised pork rice stall, with long queues." Chang's concerts often have a "uniform ticket price." "Those who buy early get to choose their seats, and it fills up quickly." He doesn't print posters for his concerts; as soon as the ticket information is posted on Facebook, they sell out automatically when the time comes. "I just focus on preparing for the concert, not on spending time selling tickets."
Chang Cheng-chieh's cello recital "From Keelung to Vienna" will be held on May 30 at the Concert Hall of the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), on June 6 at the National Recital Hall in Taipei, and on September 19 at the Medium Theater of the National Taichung Theater. Other pieces on the program include Schubert's "Arpeggione Sonata," with Liao Chiao-han as the collaborative pianist.
In a media interview, Chang Cheng-chieh stated that for years he has held an annual cello recital and has always wanted to commission a cello piece. "Not too contemporary, so that more people can play it; not too difficult to listen to, so as not to scare away music fans." It so happened that Lin Chia-ying, a former piano student of his wife, pianist Hsieh Wan-ling, had switched to composition and won multiple international composition awards, which led to this commission.
Lin Chia-ying expressed that the inspiration for "Keelung Islet" came from memories of looking back at her hometown's mountain and sea landscapes after living abroad for many years. "The music incorporates the flow of the sea breeze while driving on the coastal highway, and the sense of freedom and vastness from gazing at Keelung Islet from afar." Lin said she has never actually set foot on Keelung Islet, and this sense of distance during the writing process instead brought a hazy imagination and creative interest.
Lin mentioned that in the past, when receiving rigorous academic training in Europe, creators often faced peer pressure, wondering, "Is it complex enough? What will the professors and critics think?" But after being invited to compose the theme music for the Taiwan Lantern Festival, she began to reflect on the ultimate meaning of musical exchange. "Music should not be complex for complexity's sake, but should resonate with people."
Chang Cheng-chieh can be said to be Taiwan's most creative cellist. In 2006, as the world celebrated composer Mozart's 250th birthday, only Chang Cheng-chieh held his cello in a grand "protest." The reason was that out of Mozart's over 600 compositions, only one was tailored for the cello: the "Sonata for Bassoon and Cello." He said, "I wanted to sing Mozart's praises, but I faced the dilemma of having no music to play, so I had to protest."
In 2020, the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, the global music scene was nearly at a standstill due to the pandemic. Chang launched a parent-child concert series called "Don't Let Beethoven Be Sad." He said, "Beethoven's anniversary is a major event for the classical music world, but with venues closed worldwide, the commemorative activities became desolate, which I found very regrettable." It is this empathetic creativity that makes Chang Cheng-chieh's concerts sell out instantly upon release.
Chang believes the point is not the ticket price, but the act of selling tickets itself. "I just love to see tickets for a concert selling like a famous braised pork rice stall, with long queues." Chang's concerts often have a "uniform ticket price." "Those who buy early get to choose their seats, and it fills up quickly." He doesn't print posters for his concerts; as soon as the ticket information is posted on Facebook, they sell out automatically when the time comes. "I just focus on preparing for the concert, not on spending time selling tickets."
Chang Cheng-chieh's cello recital "From Keelung to Vienna" will be held on May 30 at the Concert Hall of the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), on June 6 at the National Recital Hall in Taipei, and on September 19 at the Medium Theater of the National Taichung Theater. Other pieces on the program include Schubert's "Arpeggione Sonata," with Liao Chiao-han as the collaborative pianist.