NSO Chamber Music Concert in New York Connects with Taiwanese Roots Across the Ocean

The NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) Chamber Ensemble, pianist Yen Chun-Chieh, and the TBT (Taiwu Ancient Ballads Troupe) joined forces for a performance in New York on May 19th, presenting a program that included traditional indigenous song medleys and new compositions "Earth/Voice" and "Field of Silvergrass." On a hot evening, New York concertgoers enjoyed refreshing and passionate melodies from Taiwan, an island in the Western Pacific. Following mid-month performances in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, the NSO Chamber Ensemble took the stage at Merkin Hall in New York's Kaufman Music Center on the 19th, attracting a large crowd of music lovers. The ensemble, featuring NSO Acting Concertmaster Teng Hao-tun, violinist Chen I-Ju, violist Chen Yu-pai, and cellist Lien Yi-hsien, collaborated with pianist Yen Chun-Chieh and the TBT. The concert showcased indigenous, Hakka, and local elements, alongside works by American composers, earning an enthusiastic and thunderous applause from the audience. At a pre-concert press conference, NSO Executive Director Kuo Wen-tsen stated her hope for American society to hear voices from Taiwan. She described the concert program as unique, fostering various dialogues centered around the theme of the Taiwanese land. The piece "Earth/Voice" is part of a Hakka Affairs Council project aimed at encouraging the new generation to explore Taiwan, preserve its musical traditions, and share them with the world. It was the first overseas tour for this work by young composer Chen Yun-Jou, making it particularly meaningful. Kuo described the piece as having a grand vision, hoping the music would travel from the land to people's hearts. Yen Chun-Chieh noted that audiences in Los Angeles and Phoenix were deeply moved, making the U.S. tour highly significant, with some attendees moved to tears and giving standing ovations. The second half featured composer Chen Ke-chia's new work, "Field of Silvergrass," which depicts the silvergrass found across Taiwan's mountains and coasts, symbolizing the resilience of the Taiwanese people who can thrive anywhere. The piece expresses the energy of Taiwan's people, allowing both American and Taiwanese listeners to feel a moving connection between the music and the land. Hsu Sheng-mei, leader of the TBT, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to bring the sounds of Taiwan's land to a global audience. She emphasized that what they sing is not just music but also enduring culture, memory, and a connection to the land. She found the New York stage very special and was deeply moved by the ability to be seen internationally across the ocean. The new piece "Earth/Voice" vividly used strings to depict Hakka cultural activities and the hard work of farming, with the cello creating a unique, ethereal sound and percussive rhythms that brought the entire piece to life. "Field of Silvergrass" used the plant to symbolize the grounded spirit of the Taiwanese people, with a drifting and modern feel. Both pieces received high praise. The TBT, an award-winning group that has performed globally, collaborated with the NSO ensemble this time, pairing strings with their heavenly "divine voices" to transcend language and mesmerize the audience. The New York concert by the NSO Chamber Ensemble and TBT was part of a series of events for the 35th anniversary of the Taipei Cultural Center in New York and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This year, the Ministry of Culture launched the "Taiwan POP—Manhattan Taiwan Culture Black Tide" project, aiming to celebrate these important milestones for both Taiwan and the U.S. and bring them closer through a series of cultural activities and performances.