Department of Information Technology

Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has been blessed with back to back fantastic news in celebrating its 50th anniversary. This year, international maestro Eliahu Inbal has been appointed as TSO’s Principal Conductor to continue bolstering its international presence.

From November 14 to 17, Chinese conductor Jahja Ling will lead TSO to stage 3 itinerant performances in the US. Besides performing in Taipei City’s sister city Atlanta, TSO has also been invited by Washington Performing Arts (WPA) to stage 2 concerts in Washington D.C., featuring repertoires including Overture to Candide by American composer Leonard Bernstein, Double Concerto for Violin and Cello by Taiwanese composer Gordon Chin, and the classic Symphony No. 1 (Brahms), symbolizing Taiwan’s diverse cultural development and refinement, sharing Symphony Taipei with American music fans.

The star-studded lineup of TSO’s American tour consists of conductor Jahja Ling, Taiwanese violinist residing in the US Paul Huang, and cellist Felix Fan. Hailed as the most prominent Chinese conductor in the US, Jahja Ling was invited by Felix Chen to collaborate with TSO as a pianist in the early years and, subsequently, on multiple occasions, as the conductor. Violinist Paul Huang received the TSO Young Talent in 2005, and he is very active on the international music scene and a prolific award winner. He joined TSO for its American tour in 2017. Cellist Felix Fan collaborated with TSO on Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon concert in 2001, and this is the first cooperation between the 2 parties in 2 decades.

Once again participating in TSO’s American tour this year, Huang commented: “TSO is the first professional symphony orchestra that I have worked with in Taiwan. Meanwhile, WPA, the organizer of this year’s American tour, is not only the most prestigious and iconic performing arts organization in the US, but also my mentor for kick-starting my musical career in the country, therefore, the fact that WPA is organizing the American concert tour and to be able to work with TSO again is extraordinarily meaningful for me.”

According to TSO Director Ho Kang-kuo, this year’s American tour coincides with the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Taipei City and Atlanta. In addition to performing in Atlanta, TSO is also the first Taiwanese symphony orchestra to be invited by the WPA to perform in Washington D.C., which makes this rare interaction between the US and Taiwan that much more special.

Before departing for the US, TSO will hold a pre-tour concert at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall at 14:30 on November 10, presenting the shortlisted repertoires and the works of Taiwanese composers to the audience in hopes of a successful tour in the US.

Concert information:
TSO Symphony Taipei US Pre-tour Concert
November 10 (Sunday) 14:30, Taipei Zhongshan Hall Zhongzheng Auditorium
Arts Ticket

TSO US Tour Chamber Ensemble
November 14 (Thursday) 19:30, Meyer Auditorium, Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C.

TSO Symphony Taipei US Tour Concert
November 15 (Friday) 20:00 Music Center at Strathmore, Washington, D. C.
November 17 (Sunday) 15:00 Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, Atlanta