A presidential citation was awarded posthumously to late Taiwanese composer Tyzen Hsiao (蕭泰然) on Saturday in Los Angeles to recognize his contributions to Taiwan’s music scene.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles Director-General Steve Hsia (夏季昌) presented the citation to Hsiao’s family on behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) at a memorial service for Hsiao.
Hsiao was praised in the citation for his “rich” and “diverse” music that blended techniques from Western classical, romantic, impressionist and modern music with Taiwanese styles.
The late composer was also touted for his dedication to music education and for his humble personality.
To remember Hsiao, local musicians are to play several of his well-known pieces at a memorial concert at the National Concert Hall in Taipei on April 5, the Ministry of Culture announced.
Hsiao died aged 77 at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 24.
Dubbed “Taiwan’s Rachmaninoff,” Hsiao studied music at National Taiwan Normal University and at Musashino Music University in Japan, before relocating to the US in 1977.
While in the US, Hsiao actively rearranged Taiwanese folk music, while also composing many new works. However, because of a work that advocated the overthrow of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) regime, he was put on a black list and banned from returning to Taiwan from 1980 until 1995.
He is known for his fusion of Taiwanese and international music traditions and composed a number of works for solo instruments, chamber ensembles, solo voices, orchestras and choirs, with many of his vocal works set to poems written in Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese).
Hsiao is best known for his 1947 Overture, composed in remembrance of the 228 Incident in 1947.
He was a recipient of prestigious awards, including a National Award for Arts, a National Cultural Award and a Golden Melody Award.
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