Cosponsored by the cultural department of various city and county governments, as well as some civic organizations in Taiwan, the New York-based Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform in Taiwan for a third straight year in September 2018.
Watch the trailer of the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra 2018:
The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra is part of New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, which features classical Chinese dance grounded in 5,000 years of divinely-inspired culture. The orchestra made its international debut at Carnegie Hall in New York in October 2012 and has captivated numerous audiences in Asia and North America over the past three years.
As in many other countries, the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra is popular among people from all walks of life, including many members of the diplomatic corps in Taiwan. In the run-up to its performance in Taiwan this year, it received about 30 congratulatory messages and acclamations from local dignitaries, including 16 mayors/magistrates and 13 speakers of city/county councils across Taiwan.
About 30 Taiwanese dignitaries sent congratulatory messages and acclamations to welcome the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance in Taiwan. (Image: Chen Bozhou / The Epoch Times)
Upon its arrival at the Taoyuan International Airport, it was warmly welcomed by a group of some 100 fans carrying banners, colorful heart-shaped postcards, and flower bouquets on September 12. This year, the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra presented 12 performances in 10 cities in Taiwan, and all the tickets were sold out before its performances.
About 100 fans welcome the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra at the Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Sept. 12, 2018. (Image: Chen Bozhou / The Epoch Times)
Reviews of the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra shared by audience members in Taiwan
“I think the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra is the most inspiring orchestra that has performed in Taiwan. It blends Chinese and Western musical instruments and styles. It is rich in Chinese culture, even those who have never received professional training can enjoy [the music]. I think that is something remarkable,” Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan said.
“This is a performance rich in cultural connotations. I hope everyone can come and see it,” he added.
Taoyuan City Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan attended the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Sept. 22, 2018. (Image: Wang Ren-jun / The Epoch Times)
“I like this connection between West and East, because for the East, there are some stories behind [the music],” said Msgr. Sladan Cosic. “I like very much the stories that are expressed through the music. This is what is personally very touching.”
“While you listen to the music, you try to imagine what is really happening—and also understand the music better,” he explained.
Monsignor Sladan Cosic, Chargé d’Affaires, the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan, enjoyed the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance at the National Concert Hall, Taipei, Taiwan on Sept. 13, 2018. (Image: Bai Chuan / The Epoch Times)
“This is an exquisite music feast! It is completely beyond my expectation. It’s not too much to say that the music is God’s blessing,” Kaohsiung City Councilor Chang Feng-Teng praised. “I was worn out today, but after listening to the first two pieces, I started to be in high spirits. I felt a kind of positive energy, and it became stronger and stronger. It could only be described as God’s blessing.”
Kaohsiung City Councilor Chang Feng-Teng enjoyed the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Jihde Hall of the Kaohsiung Cultural Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Sept. 17, 2018. (Image: Li Chingdai / The Epoch Times)
“[Shen Yun’s] music breaks all the barriers: Its audience are people of diverse ages, its performers are from around the world, both Chinese and Western musical instruments are included. The combination of Chinese and Western instruments is not against each other, but it pushes Chinese music to another higher dimension,” said Rose Yu, director of Yintao Orchestra in Taiwan.
Rose Yu, director of Yintao Orchestra, enjoyed the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Zhongli Arts Hall, Taoyuan, Taiwan, on the afternoon of Sept. 22, 2018. (Image: Lin Shijie / The Epoch Times)
“I think [Shen Yun] is indeed marvelous. Excellent overall coordination and excellent performances by the conductor with the musicians,” noted Tien Jin Frank Chang, president of a university board of directors. “Listening to Shen Yun’s music and watching Shen Yun’s performances can enhance our horizons.”
Tien Jin Frank Chang, president of the board of directors of Ling Tung University and former president of the National Taipei University of Technology, enjoyed the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Chiayi City Cultural Center Music Hall, Chiayi, Taiwan on Sept. 25, 2018. (Image: Cheng Shunli/The Epoch Times)
“It is very creative to combine the essence of Western classical music with the Oriental culture in Shen Yun’s original compositions,” music professor Emmy Chen said. “I feel that [Shen Yun’s music] is a harmonious combination of humanity and Mother Nature.”
Emmy Chen, a music professor at National Taipei University of Education and Shih Chien University, enjoyed the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra’s performance at Zhongshan Hall, Taipei, Taiwan on Sep. 19, 2018. (Image: Chen Bozhou / The Epoch Times)
Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra wrapped up its 2018 Taiwan tour on September 27 and is currently performing in South Korea. On October 5, it will perform in Toronto, before returning to the United States and performing in New York City, North Bethesda in Maryland, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.
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