A lecture on Taiwan’s diverse musical landscape and a concert featuring National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra’s string quartet wrapped up Dec. 8 in Taipei City, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Organized by MOFA’s Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs, the event featured a talk by NTSO Director Liu Suan-yung offering deeper insight into signature elements of Taiwan’s music scene, such as the fusion of Hakka and indigenous music, tradtional Chinese opera, rock ’n’ roll and the use of technology.
High-profile attendees include Tien Chung-kwang, MOFA deputy minister and IDIA chancellor; Jasmine Elise Huggins, diplomatic corps dean and ambassador to Taiwan of St. Kitts and Nevis; ambassdors and envoys from allies Haiti, Honduras, Nauru, Nicaragua, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; as well as representatives of like-minded partners Brunei, Hungary, Malaysia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Tien said during his opening remarks that the NTSO has played an important role in raising Taiwan’s music profile on the global stage. He additionally praised the orchestra’s efforts in promoting Western classical music and fostering new talent in the country.
Following the lecture, NTSO’s string quartet held a performance incorporating Western classical music, local tunes and Christmas songs in celebration of the upcoming holiday.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said the moving melodies impressed attending officials and showed Taiwan is in tune with the free world.
Established in 1945, Taichung city-based NTSO in central Taiwan is the country’s oldest symphony orchestra. The group previously staged a performance during the visit of Czech Republic Senate President Milos Vystrcil and his delegation at the Presidential Office in September.
Members of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra stage a string quartet performance at MOFA’s Institute of Diplomacy and International AffairsDec. 8 in Taipei City.
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