By MOOK Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
From 2013 to 2014, the “2014 Alishan Sunrise Impression – Taiwan Mobile Concert” to welcome the first light of the new year will be held at 5:50 AM on New Year’s Day at the Guanyue Terrace of Duigaoyue in Alishan. For this annual travel and music event, renowned conductor Chiang Ching-po will lead the 53-member Chanson de la Musique Orchestra, soprano Yen Yi-chia, the Chanson de la Musique Female Choir, and the high-altitude debut of the Dance Factory Tap Dance Troupe, among over 75 performers in total. This creates the largest-ever lineup for an Alishan concert. They will bring Broadway’s “West Side Story” to the sea of clouds atop Alishan, featuring classic hits such as “I Feel Pretty” and “Tonight” to deliver a passionate musical feast despite freezing temperatures.
This year’s Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert will feature the largest lineup ever. (Photo provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
The Chiayi County Government, Forestry Bureau Chiayi Forest District Office, Alishan National Scenic Area Administration, and Taiwan Mobile Foundation have joined forces again following the centennial celebration of the Republic of China. This year, with the theme of “One Life, One Love” (symbolizing the transition from 13 to 14, homophonous with 1314), happiness and the first light, they have chosen “West Side Story” and “L’Arlesienne” to highlight romantic love. The collaboration blends orchestral music with tap dance to present love stories in a unique way. Though both are tales of love, their expressions differ greatly—one passionate, the other melancholic—hoping to inspire people to cherish their loved ones and board the train of lifelong happiness at sunrise to step into 2014.
The concert is divided into three spectacular segments: before sunrise, at sunrise, and after sunrise. Before sunrise, “West Side Story” will express longing for love, and dance will showcase passion for it; at sunrise, Richard Strauss’s magnificent symphonic piece “Also sprach Zarathustra” will accompany the moment of dawn, embodying Nietzsche’s philosophical ideal—that music holds the power to never be forgotten; after sunrise, the lingering melodies of “L’Arlesienne” will spark endless imagination among the audience.
This year’s lineup includes Chiang Ching-po leading the Chanson de la Musique Orchestra, soprano Yen Yi-chia, the Chanson de la Musique Female Choir, and the Dance Factory Tap Dance Troupe. (Photo provided by Taiwan Mobile)
The Dance Factory, a top-tier dance troupe known for modern dance and acclaimed American tap dancing, will also perform on Alishan for the first time. Dancers typically cannot wear heavy clothing, so in the extreme cold, they will rely on heat packs to endure the low temperatures. In the past, they only needed 10 minutes to warm up before going on stage, but this time it will take an hour. troupe leader Hao Jialong stated: “The performance faces dual challenges—not only is it our first high-altitude show, but we must also overcome the stiffness caused by the freezing cold to match the rhythm of the orchestra and choir. This will be a demanding test of stamina, endurance, and agility.”
In previous years, the “Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert” always drew packed crowds, with tickets hard to come by. This year, to ensure the public doesn’t miss out on this musical carnival and to welcome the first light of 2014 together, Lion Travel has planned the “1314. New Year’s Eve Vigil” package for just NT$666 per person. For couples who registered their marriage in 2013, there is also the “Love 1314 Romantic Alishan” package for two at NT$1314, which includes reserved seating at the Alishan concert and a commemorative “1314 Alishan Certificate.”
● Further Reading:
【Thursday Arts & Culture】Impressions. Classics—The Monet Exhibition: Exploring the Master’s Play of Light and Water
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