Felix Chen
Encyclopedia
Felix Chiu-sen Chen is a Taiwanese
conductor. He was resident conductor and Music Director of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra
from 1986 until he resigned in 2003 under "extremely controversial circumstances."
Chen began his musical career by studying violin. He was the first prize winner in Taiwan's provincial violin competition in 1959. Later he studied in the Munich Conservetory in Germany. He returned to Taiwan in 1969 and played violin in several orchestras. In 1971, he moved to Austria to study conducting, returning again to Taiwan in 1973 to work for the Taiwan Provincial Symphony Orchestra
. He later moved to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra
(TSO), which he led for 17 years. During his service for the TSO, Chen was not only praised for his orchestral conducting, but he was also a noted opera conductor. Every year Chen and TSO produced one or two operas, such as Aida
, Otello
or Turandot
, which were major musical events in Taiwan.
However, in September 2003, Chen was involved in a forgery scandal and was accused of corruption. As a result, the Department of Culture Affairs of the Taipei City Government decided to relieve him of his post. Chen eventually chose to retire, and some people believed he was forced to do so.
In a 2003 article in the local Taipei Times newspaper, Mr. Chen was described as "a veritable Taiwanese 'living national treasure,'" due to his "long line of magnificent concerts and opera productions."
Taiwanese conductors Lü Shao-chia
and Chien Wen-pin
were both Chen's students.
After his retirement, Chen turned his career focus to teaching. Currently he teaches at the National Taiwan Normal University
, Taipei National University of the Arts
, and Tainan National University of Arts. He is also sometimes invited to give guest performances with the National Symphony Orchestra
and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra
.
Taiwanese people
Taiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
conductor. He was resident conductor and Music Director of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra
Taipei Symphony Orchestra
The Taipei Symphony Orchestra , founded in 1969, is one of the leading orchestras based in Taipei, Taiwan.In these seasons, TSO works also with European Music directors and conductors, such as Reinhard Goebel, Martin Fischer-Dieskau or Maurice Steger.- Introduction :Under the direction of Felix...
from 1986 until he resigned in 2003 under "extremely controversial circumstances."
Chen began his musical career by studying violin. He was the first prize winner in Taiwan's provincial violin competition in 1959. Later he studied in the Munich Conservetory in Germany. He returned to Taiwan in 1969 and played violin in several orchestras. In 1971, he moved to Austria to study conducting, returning again to Taiwan in 1973 to work for the Taiwan Provincial Symphony Orchestra
National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra
The National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra , also known as NTSO, founded in 1945, is the oldest symphony orchestra in Taiwan. It is based in Wufeng, Taichung.- Principal Conductors :* Fusao Kajima , 2009-present* Chiu Chun-chiang , 2006-2009...
. He later moved to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra
Taipei Symphony Orchestra
The Taipei Symphony Orchestra , founded in 1969, is one of the leading orchestras based in Taipei, Taiwan.In these seasons, TSO works also with European Music directors and conductors, such as Reinhard Goebel, Martin Fischer-Dieskau or Maurice Steger.- Introduction :Under the direction of Felix...
(TSO), which he led for 17 years. During his service for the TSO, Chen was not only praised for his orchestral conducting, but he was also a noted opera conductor. Every year Chen and TSO produced one or two operas, such as Aida
Aida
Aida sometimes spelled Aïda, is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette...
, Otello
Otello
Otello is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's play Othello. It was Verdi's penultimate opera, and was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan, on February 5, 1887....
or Turandot
Turandot
Turandot is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, set to a libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni.Though Puccini's first interest in the subject was based on his reading of Friedrich Schiller's adaptation of the play, his work is most nearly based on the earlier text Turandot...
, which were major musical events in Taiwan.
However, in September 2003, Chen was involved in a forgery scandal and was accused of corruption. As a result, the Department of Culture Affairs of the Taipei City Government decided to relieve him of his post. Chen eventually chose to retire, and some people believed he was forced to do so.
In a 2003 article in the local Taipei Times newspaper, Mr. Chen was described as "a veritable Taiwanese 'living national treasure,'" due to his "long line of magnificent concerts and opera productions."
Taiwanese conductors Lü Shao-chia
Lü Shao-chia
-Biography:Born in Taiwan, Lü studied piano at an early age. Initiated by Taiwanese conductor Chen Chiu-sen, he later turned to conducting and went on to Indiana University and Vienna Hochschule für Musik. In 1998, he was accepted in conducting course held by maestro Gennady Rozhdestvensky in...
and Chien Wen-pin
Chien Wen-pin
Chien Wen-Pin is a Taiwanese classical conductor. He is the current music director of National Symphony Orchestra in Taiwan, to which he was appointed since July, 2001....
were both Chen's students.
After his retirement, Chen turned his career focus to teaching. Currently he teaches at the National Taiwan Normal University
National Taiwan Normal University
National Taiwan Normal University is an institution of higher learning operating on three campuses in Taipei, Taiwan . NTNU is widely recognized as one of Taiwan's elite institutions of higher education. The university enrolls approximately 11,000 students each year. The ratio of undergraduate to...
, Taipei National University of the Arts
Taipei National University of the Arts
The Taipei National University of the Arts is a national university at Kuandu of Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan. This university should not be confused with National Taiwan University of Arts at Banciao City.-History:...
, and Tainan National University of Arts. He is also sometimes invited to give guest performances with the National Symphony Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra (Taiwan)
The National Symphony Orchestra , also known as Philharmonia Taiwan outside Taiwan, is one of the leading orchestras in Asia. Since 1987, the orchestra has its residence in the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Taiwan.- Subscription Concert Series :...
and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra
National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra
The National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra , also known as NTSO, founded in 1945, is the oldest symphony orchestra in Taiwan. It is based in Wufeng, Taichung.- Principal Conductors :* Fusao Kajima , 2009-present* Chiu Chun-chiang , 2006-2009...
.