Felix Chen

Felix Chen
陳秋盛
Background information
Birth nameChen Chiu-sen
Born(1942-07-09)9 July 1942
Taihoku, Taiwan, Empire of Japan
Died9 April 2018(2018-04-09) (aged 75)
Taipei, Taiwan
GenresWestern Classical
OccupationConductor
InstrumentViolin
Years active1971–2014

Felix Chen or Chen Chiu-sen[1] (Chinese: 陳秋盛; pinyin: Chén Qiūshèng; 9 July 1942 – 9 April 2018) was a Taiwanese conductor and violinist. He was resident conductor and music director of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra from 1986 until his dismissal in 2003.[2] He taught both Chien Wen-pin, musical director of the Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra from 2001 to 2007; and the same orchestra's current maestro, Lü Shao-chia.[2]

Early life

Chen was born in Taihoku Prefecture, Taiwan on 9 July 1942.[3] He began his musical career studying the violin,[4] and won first prize in Taiwan's provincial violin competition in 1959.[4] Later, he studied at the Munich Conservatory in Germany.[2] He returned to Taiwan in 1969 and played violin in several orchestras.[5]

Career

Early career

In 1971, Chen moved to Austria to study conducting, returning again to Taiwan in 1973 to work for the Taiwan Provincial Symphony Orchestra.[citation needed] He later moved to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO), which he led for 17 years.[citation needed] He began staging operas with them. In this era, the TSO had not yet begun to stage operas; consequently, Chen's were almost the only Western operas known at that time in Taiwan.[6] He was praised for his work at the podium conducting both orchestral and operatic works.[4] Every year Chen and the TSO produced one or two operas (among them Aida, Otello and Turandot) which became major musical events in Taiwan.[6]

In a 2003 article in the Taipei Times newspaper, Chen was described as "a veritable Taiwanese 'living national treasure'", due to his "long line of magnificent concerts and opera productions."[5]

Later career

After his retirement, Chen taught at the National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei National University of the Arts, and Tainan National University of the Arts.[7] He was invited to give guest performances with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan (NSO) and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in his later years.[7] The conductors Lü Shao-chia and Chien Wen-pin were both students of Chen.[5][6]

In March 2014, Chen came out of retirement and for the first time publicly praised Shen Yun Performing Arts for their "staging techniques" while reflecting that the institution deserved its reputation.[citation needed]

Firing

In September 2003, Chen was accused of corruption and involvement in a forgery scandal.[6] As a result, the Department of Culture Affairs of the Taipei City Government decided to relieve him of his post.[6] Chen eventually chose to retire, and some people believed he was forced to do so.[citation needed] In 2010, the Taipei Times asserted that "according to many in Taipei's classical music scene, not a shred of evidence involving Chen in any wrongdoing was ever discovered."[6] Chen meanwhile returned to university teaching, making occasional appearances as a guest conductor.[6]

Death

Chen died on 9 April 2018 in Taipei at the age of 75.[3][8]

Partial discography

  • Ritual Incantations[9]
  • Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro[10]
  • Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104: II. Adagio ma non troppo[10]
  • Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104: III. Finale: Allegro moderato[10]
  • Ritual Incantations: I. Majestic: Driving and Persistent — Cantabile[10]
  • Ritual Incantations: II. Mysterious and Expansive — Longing — Yearning[10]
  • Ritual Incantations: III. Spirited — Passionate — Bold and Lyrical[10]

References

  1. ^ "Taipei Symphony Orchestra". TSO.gov. December 5, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Bradley Winterton (January 11, 2008). "TSO announces crucial appointment". Taipei Times.
  3. ^ a b 「台灣指揮教父」陳秋盛辭世 享壽76歲. United Daily News (in Chinese). 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b c 客席指揮／陳秋盛 簡介 (in Chinese). National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. Archived from the original on 2012-02-11. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  5. ^ a b c Bradley Winterton (October 17, 2003). "'Salome' is revisited and reconstructed in Felix Chen's new production at National Theater". Taipei Times.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Winterton, Bradley (2010-08-27). "Felix Chen and 'Rigoletto' return to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra" (PDF). Taipei Times. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  7. ^ a b 培養南藝大音樂奇才－指揮家陳秋盛 婉拒於上海音樂院任課 (in Chinese). Liberty Times. July 11, 2007.
  8. ^ 台灣一代指揮家陳秋盛睡夢中辭世樂壇悲痛. China Times (in Chinese). 9 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Thomas, Augusta Read: Ritual Incantationes — Finckel, David — cello — Taipei Symphony Orchestra — hen, Felix Chiu-Sen — conductor". Lawostore. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Dvorak: Cello Concerto — Thomas: Ritual Incantations". CDBbay. Retrieved April 10, 2018.