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
Occupation(s)Conductor
Instrument(s)Violin
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. He later moved to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO), which he led for 17 years. 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.

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. 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. 1 2 3 Bradley Winterton (January 11, 2008). "TSO announces crucial appointment". Taipei Times.
  3. 1 2 「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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 Bradley Winterton (October 17, 2003). "'Salome' is revisited and reconstructed in Felix Chen's new production at National Theater". Taipei Times.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Winterton, Bradley (2010-08-27). "Felix Chen and 'Rigoletto' return to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra" (PDF). Taipei Times. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  7. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dvorak: Cello Concerto — Thomas: Ritual Incantations". CDBbay. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
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