More than 40 years ago, a musician named Lee Wu-nan introduced Taiwan to the harp, importing the very first harp the country had ever seen. He made it his life''s mission to make the instrument popular throughout the country. Today his son Lee Che-yin has taken it upon himself to carry on his mission. His efforts have taken him to some of the most farflung parts of the island. So far he has made over 200 visits to remote communities with his harp, and he''s got no plans to stop anytime soon. We join him on the journey in our Sunday special report.
After finishing the day’s classes, these children gather in a circle, holding hands as they ride unicycles. This elementary school in Nantou County''s Jhongliao Township was rebuilt following the 1999 Jiji Earthquake. At only 4,000 square meters, this small school is attended by 30 students.
This Tuesday afternoon at the start of fall started out like any other afternoon, but today, one man has brought the children a special surprise.
Upon seeing the huge harp, the children’s eyes light up. As the man on stage speaks to them, he throws in jokes here and there to get the whole room laughing.
Even as he teaches them the history of the harp, he doesn’t miss the opportunity to sprinkle in some humor.
This high-spirited man, named Lee Che-yin, is a harp teacher, as well as an unconventional musician.
Lee Che-yin
Harpist
Do I throw myself fully into what I do? If I want to leave children with an impression of this instrument, and if I want them to be willing to listen to me speak, I have to find a way to get close to them – I have to make them happy, and make them laugh. This is the nature of children – you have to play with them.
Lee Che-yin started off in 2014, traveling to schools in remote communities all over. This is his 219th performance. Aside from Lee’s popularity with children, what people know best about him is that he was born into a family of musicians.
Lee Che-yin’s older brother, Lee Che-yi , is a classical musician, and the music director for One Song Orchestra. Their father, Lee Wu-nan, is a well-known harpist known affectionately as the “Harp Godfather.” More than 40 years ago, Lee Wu-nan introduced Taiwan to the harp, bringing the first harp into the country from Japan.
Lee Che-yin
Harpist
My father felt that the sound of the harp was brought to the Earth from the heavens by angels, and that it was the most wonderful form of music. In his heart he felt that, such a beautiful instrument must be brought to Taiwan. So 40 years ago, he spent close to NT$200,000 to buy a Japanese-made harp. Forty years ago, with NT$200,000 you could buy a townhouse.
In the 1970s, Lee Wu-nan not only spent a large sum of money to buy a harp. He also researched the production of harps and built a factory. However, his son Lee Che-yin was less devoted. Despite starting his study of the harp at the age of 5, when he practiced together with his father and brother, Lee Che-yin was quite a bit less interested in music.
Lee Che-yin
Harpist
After I graduated from elementary school, I temporarily halted my study of the harp.
When it came time to enter university, Lee Che-yin didn’t follow in his brother’s footsteps and go on a path of music study. Instead, he pursued a degree in information management. After graduation he took a job in Kaohsiung as a computer engineer, but his stable life as an office worker took a turn one day in 1997, when he received a phone call from his brother that would change his life.
Lee Che-yin
Harpist
He called me and said, “Che-yin, are you free on Feb. 14?” He said he had been performing regularly at a restaurant, and he picked up an offer to perform elsewhere on Feb. 14, but couldn’t find someone to cover for him. He said, “Che-yin, why don’t you come cover for me, it’s only two hours.”
Little did Lee Che-yin know that covering for his brother that one time would ignite within him a passion for music that he lacked as a child. After being separated from the harp for many years, he raised his hands to pluck its strings once again, practicing before his restaurant performance. Since then Lee Che-yin has played at the National Concert Hall. But to enjoy his performances, you don’t need to visit a music hall.
At this dental clinic, from outside of the operatory, the elegant sound of the harp fills the air, forming a stark contrast to the sound of the dental drill.
Carol
Dental clinic
The first time we heard him perform was at a restaurant. Since we have some patients who really enjoy music, we decided to ask him, “Could you come perform at our clinic?”
After hearing Lee Che-yin perform, many of the clinic’s patients become fans of his, and start scheduling their appointments a