Let’s now turn to a story of master composer, Kuo Chih-yuan. Throughout his career, he was hailed as the "Father of Taiwan’s national music.” Kuo passed away in 2013, but his legacy still lives on. To celebrate what would be his 100th birthday, Taipei and Kaohsiung will be hosting two concerts on Dec. 4 and 5. Formosa News reporter Stephany Yang has the details.

Pianist Liao Chiao-han and singer Liao Yu-meng take the stage, performing representative works by master composer Kuo Chih-yuan . It''s his 100th birthday this year. To commemorate him, Taiwan Traditional Theater Center, Kaohsiung''s Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra will be hosting two concerts on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. The concerts will showcase several representative works from different periods. Kuo''s son said he was touched that his father''s masterpieces will be showcased and remembered.

Kuo Shou-ching
Kuo Chih-yuan''s son
Of course, our family members are looking forward to it and excited. We also hope that my father''s works can be passed on forever. His composition emphasizes nationality, modernity and musicality. He has engaged in music for a lifetime. He created for 70 years. He once said, “I want to dedicate all of my work, more than 3,000 works to Taiwan, my beloved country.” The five pieces that will be performed at these two concerts are the masterpieces of Mr. Kuo''s life, as well as his best works. I hope everyone can enjoy this concert together.

Kuo was born in 1921 in Yuanli, a small town in Miaoli. Throughout his career, he was honored with the National Award for Arts, the Wu San-lien Arts Award, Executive Yuan National Cultural Award, and other prestigious prizes. Kuo wrote more than 500 pieces in his lifetime, including the first symphonic work and first piano concerto in Taiwan''s music history. He also wrote more than 50 songs in Hokkien, otherwise known as Taiwanese. He played a significant role in the development of Taiwanese music.
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Chen Yueh-i
National Center for Traditional Arts
Master Kuo is known as the father of Taiwan’s national music. The main reason is that a large number of his creations have incorporated Taiwanese cultural elements. In his works, you can actually hear his strong affection for his hometown. You will also feel his love for the land of Taiwan.

The?concert will be performed by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, conductor Cheng Li-pin and pianist Yeh Lu-na, on Dec. 4 and 5 at Taipei''s Taiwan Traditional Theater Center and Kaohsiung''s Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. In addition, there will also be an exhibition held at the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Art till Dec. 5, showcasing Kuo’s music manuscript scores and precious videos from different periods of his life.