【Thursday Arts Preview】Taiwan International Percussion Convention: 30 Performances Across 10 Cities in 7 Days

Held every three years, the TIPC is one of the world’s premier percussion festivals and a major gathering of global percussion talent in Taiwan. Over the past 20-plus years, it has hosted performances by 77 percussion ensembles and artists from 27 countries, premiering a total of 58 compositions by Taiwanese creators, including as many as 40 world premieres. These efforts have helped energize the percussion scene in Asia and established Taiwan as a global hub for percussion music.

To enhance cultural exchange and give the public a chance to witness performances by top international ensembles, the 2014 Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival—organized by the Kaohsiung City Government Department of Cultural Affairs—has specially invited the “World Outstanding Marimba Soloists Series,” featuring four marimba virtuosos from Japan, Canada, the United States, and Denmark, as well as the dramatically expressive Dutch ensemble Percossa. They will perform on May 30 and 31 at the Zhidetang Hall in Kaohsiung.

 

Among them, the Dutch ensemble Percossa, made up of four members, combines dance, mime, magic, and projection with masterful percussion to deliver performances full of rhythm and theatrical flair. Media have praised their shows as “Amazing” and “with such impressive rhythms that leave you speechless.” Their shows are always in high demand. Returning to Taiwan after six years, they will present their popular program “Rebel Rhythms,” an 110-minute show that has been performed over 200 times in Europe. This will be its Asian premiere, performed in its original form in Taiwan.

For this occasion, Percossa recorded a special video message for the Kaohsiung audience: “We are honored to be invited to perform at the Taiwan International Percussion Convention. Through music, we look forward to sharing our experiences, joy, and creativity with friends in Taiwan. We believe participating in the TIPC is essential for the development of any performing group. Let’s experience together the wonder, imagination, and colorful energy of the Taiwan International Percussion Convention!” filled with excitement.

 

The “World Outstanding Marimba Soloists Series” brings together four globally renowned marimba soloists for a rare marimba feast on the international stage. The first half features Eriko Oomori, a rising star marimba performer who has won four international competition first prizes, and Canadian-Chinese composer Junliang Zhang, known as the “New Romantic Marimba Performer.” The second half welcomes two marimba maestros—Mark Ford and Kai Stensgaard. Mark Ford, former president of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), is recognized as one of the world’s foremost percussion educators, while Kai Stensgaard is one of the pioneers of six-mallet marimba playing, showcasing the rich and versatile tonal qualities of the “six-mallet” technique with consummate skill.