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Master of music
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Song Yingwen
IF you are not familiar with classical music, you may never have heard of him. But in Taiwan, Chen Shuxi, general director of the Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra, is a famous figure in musical circles, not only for his musical accomplishments as an outstanding conductor and composer, but also for his versatility as a writer and translator.
Recently this talented gentleman was in town at the invitation of the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and on Friday, he wrapped-up his visit by conducting a concert at the Shenzhen Great Theatre.
Yet for all his muscial prowess, it comes as a surpise to learn that his major at Taipei University was not music but English.
"I have planned to be a musician ever since I was a kid. I didn't mean to pass up the chance to study in a music school once I graduated high school. But my examination result was so good that I couldn't resist an offer from the best university on Taiwan," Chen said with a smile during an interview with Shenzhen Daily.
Actually, Chen says, that experience helped him a lot in his future career.
"My solid literary attainments are one of the most important reasons for my success. Interpreting music is all about understanding the composer and his time, so my study in college helped me a lot," Chen said.
Likewise, he believes that what it takes more than skill with an instrument to make a good musician. "Our problem in training young talents is that we deem it more important to develop skills in individuals than encouraging in them the aspiration to influence the world through music," Chen said.
Music and art to him are about everything that is good in humanity, and is the key to helping people to maintain mental equilibrium in a world that is becoming fiercely competitive. "Most important of all, it enriches a city with culture," said Chen;
"I saw high-rises in Shenzhen everywhere, but as an artist, I feel there is something missing: I guess I would call it a unique culture," Chen mused.
"I saw Taipei 20 years ago, when it was a city working to build a charm of its own. It took Taipei 40 years to attain that goal. I hope Shenzhen takes less time to become a city of rich culture," Chen added.
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