By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported
This year’s first performance of the Taiwan Connection Music Festival will take place on December 3 (Saturday) at the Plaza of Taoyuan County Arts and Cultural Park. Renowned violinist Hu Nai-yuan and the Taiwan Connection (TC) Chamber Orchestra will push their limits by attempting, for the first time, to perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 “Fate” with no conductor and an ensemble of over 40 musicians.
Violinist Hu Nai-yuan and the TC Chamber Orchestra will take on the challenge of performing Beethoven’s “Fate” Symphony with 45 musicians and no conductor. (Photo by Traveler’s Liu Jiawen)
Hu Nai-yuan said that he chose to perform the “Fate” Symphony this year because of the global economic downturn, which has left many feeling disheartened. He hopes to uplift spirits through music and encourage people to bravely face the challenges of fate. The most iconic part of this symphony is its opening motif — four notes often described as if fate were knocking at the door — which must be played precisely and powerfully. Without a conductor’s cue, achieving perfect synchronization for that first note among all instruments is a true test of the musicians’ focus and cohesion.
This year’s music festival event will open with an outdoor concert held at the Plaza of Taoyuan County Arts and Cultural Park. (Photo by Traveler’s Liu Jiawen)
Additionally, Hu Nai-yuan will dedicate his only solo performance to the audience at the Taoyuan opening concert, selecting Mendelssohn’s D Minor Concerto composed when he was just 12 years old — a piece that conveys a sense of ease and freedom. On the day of the concert, in collaboration with the Taoyuan Spinal Cord Injury Potential Development Center, a service area will also be set up on-site to encourage the public to participate in charitable activities. The series of music festival events will begin with the outdoor concert in Taoyuan, followed by ticketed performances by the TC Chamber Orchestra, taking place on December 4 at Kaohsiung’s Chih Teh Hall, December 6 at Taichung’s Chung Shin Hall, and December 11 at Taipei’s National Concert Hall, among other locations.