Taipei Chinese Orchestra

In celebration of the great memories of the capital city Taipei, Taipei Chinese Orchestra (TCO) premiered the self-titled symphony Tribute to Taipei at 2021 Taipei Traditional Art Festival Opening Concert on March 7th. Written by lyricist HUANG Ying and Composer YEN Ming-Hsiu, Tribute to Taipei marries the strength of soprano LIN Ling-Hui, TCO, and TCO Choir. The breathtakingly majestic music score is of 38 minutes long and comprises 6 movements. 'Love Affairs for Mountains and Rivers' depicts the natural and urban landscape of the grand city. 'Interweaving Networks' speaks of the fast-paced modern lifestyle young generation embraces. 'Temples and Ancient Relics' praises deity and religion with the harmonious symphony of drums, lithophone and temple block. 'Firework Fest' releases the child in people’s hearts as they welcome Chinese New Year with fireworks and wide-eyed excitement. 'Sunrise in Liberty Square' witnesses the struggles and pain of the birth of democracy in Taiwan. 'Tribute to Taipei' embodies the core spirit of Taipei as a city where dissent and personal opinions will always be valued.

YEN Ming-Hsiu and HUANG Ying’s poetic portrayal of the past, the present and the future of Taipei are fully translated in a combination of solo Chinese orchestra performances, orchestra with chorus, soprano with orchestra and all three of them together.

TCO showed great interest in developing large scale music pieces incorporating the best of both string instruments and vocal music.

We wish to explore more possibilities of Chinese orchestra, sharpen skills and make classic music easier to sing to. As for education, starting this March, TCO for Children will leave the comfort of studios and initiates music programs in remote areas where resources are scarce. The very first Music School On-The-Go will greet children at Taipei Municipal Fuan Elementary School in Shezi. In April, TCO On-The-Go will continue down south to visit elementary schools along the coast of Chiayi. 

The original concept is to involve musicians in music training at school clubs. They are encouraged to demonstrate for, tutor or perform with children, offering youngsters a chance to appreciate and fall in love with Chinese orchestra. Ideally the experience shall open up a new world for potential music talents and, bit by bit, allow Chinese orchestra to become an inseparable part of people’s lives. Through practice comes skill, creativity and eventually originality. It is our dearest wish that the beauty of Chinese orchestra shall prevail, and a better music culture is at hand.


01 The New Route of Thinking : ​Tribute to Music of Taiwan
02 Cover Story : From Creativity to Excellence Principals Strive to Expand TCO Concerto Repertoire
04 Stunning Figures : The Learned Musician — A Peek into LIN En-Hsu The Wind Instruments Artis