Felix Chen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Felix Chen
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| Background information | |
| Native name |
陳秋盛
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| Birth name | Chen Chiu-sen |
| Born | 9 July 1942 Taihoku, Taiwan, Empire of Japan |
| Died | 9 April 2018 (aged 75) Taipei, Taiwan |
| Genres | Western Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Conductor |
| Instruments | Violin |
| Years active | 1971–2014 |
| Associated acts |
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Felix Chen, also known as Chen Chiu-sen, was a very talented Taiwanese conductor and violinist. He was born on July 9, 1942, and passed away on April 9, 2018, at the age of 75. For many years, he was the main conductor and music director of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra. He also taught and inspired many other famous conductors in Taiwan.
Contents
Early Life
Felix Chen was born in Taihoku Prefecture, Taiwan, in 1942. He started playing the violin when he was young. In 1959, he won first prize in a big violin competition in Taiwan. After that, he went to Germany to study music at the Munich Conservatory. In 1969, he came back to Taiwan and played the violin in different orchestras.
Music Career
Starting Out
In 1971, Felix Chen went to Austria to learn how to be a conductor. He returned to Taiwan in 1973 and began working with the Taiwan Provincial Symphony Orchestra. Later, he joined the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO). He led the TSO for 17 years, which is a very long time!
During his time with the TSO, he started putting on operas. At that time, Western operas were not very well known in Taiwan. Felix Chen's shows were almost the only ones people could see. He was praised for his amazing work leading both orchestral music and operas. Every year, he and the TSO would perform one or two operas, like Aida, Otello, and Turandot. These shows became very important musical events in Taiwan. People even called him a "living national treasure" because of his wonderful concerts and opera productions.
Later Years
After his time with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, Felix Chen taught music at several universities. These included the National Taiwan Normal University and the Taipei National University of the Arts. He was also invited to be a guest conductor for other orchestras, like the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan. Many conductors, including Lü Shao-chia and Chien Wen-pin, learned from him. In 2014, he even praised the staging techniques of Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Leaving the Orchestra
In September 2003, Felix Chen left his position at the Taipei Symphony Orchestra. He chose to retire at that time. He then went back to teaching at universities and sometimes appeared as a guest conductor for different musical groups.
His Legacy
Felix Chen passed away on April 9, 2018, in Taipei. He was 75 years old. He left behind a great musical legacy in Taiwan, having inspired many musicians and brought classical music and opera to many people.
Partial Discography
- Ritual Incantations
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104: I. Allegro
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104: II. Adagio ma non troppo
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104: III. Finale: Allegro moderato
- Ritual Incantations: I. Majestic: Driving and Persistent — Cantabile
- Ritual Incantations: II. Mysterious and Expansive — Longing — Yearning
- Ritual Incantations: III. Spirited — Passionate — Bold and Lyrical
