2026/6/1
With the support of Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, the Taiwan Philharmonic, also known as the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), launched its From Formosa 2026 Chamber Music U.S. Tour in mid-May, with performances in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Phoenix within the jurisdiction of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles (TECO-LA). Led by NSO Acting Concertmaster Hao-Tun Teng, the tour brought together NSO musicians, pianist Chun-Chieh Yen, and the TBT Taiwu Ballads Troupe, presenting a program that interweaves classical chamber music with Taiwanese Indigenous melodies, Hakka musical elements, and contemporary compositions, showcasing the richness and diversity of Taiwan’s cultural landscape.
The opening performance took place on May 13 at Birch Aquarium at the University of California San Diego. Deputy Director General Rebecca Chen of TECO-LA attended the event, joining members of the academic, cultural, and Taiwan-friendly communities in San Diego to enjoy music from Taiwan. Through the intimate format of chamber music, the performance fostered meaningful cultural exchange between Taiwan and the academic and arts communities in Southern California, while marking the beginning of the U.S. tour.
On the evening of May 15, the Los Angeles performance took place at Thayer Hall at the Colburn School and drew a sold-out audience with an enthusiastic response. TECO-LA’s Director General Jason Ma and Mrs. Anne Yang were in attendance, and joined the audience in a standing ovation for the captivating performance. The ensemble offered a special encore of a Schumann work, bringing the Los Angeles performance to a memorable close.
The tour program featured works spanning classical and contemporary repertoires, including Indigenous Suite by Tyzen Hsiao, Soil / Sound by Chen Yun-Jou, commissioned by the Hakka Affairs Council, and The Field of Silvergrass, a newly composed Indigenous-inspired work by Ke-Chia Chen. Together, these pieces reflect how Taiwanese music draws from cultural memory while engaging international audiences through contemporary artistic expression.
Taiwan Academy in Los Angeles noted that the NSO is one of Taiwan’s leading national performing arts ensembles. The From Formosa 2026 Chamber Music U.S. Tour not only demonstrated the exceptional artistry of Taiwanese musicians, but also allowed international audiences to hear the voices of Taiwan’s diverse communities through the TBT Taiwu Ballads Troupe and contemporary Taiwanese compositions. Taiwan Academy will continue to promote Taiwanese performing arts exchanges on the West Coast and further strengthen cultural connections between Taiwan and the United States.
Media Contact
Violet Pin-Chien Wang, Cultural Officer of Taiwan Academy
Tel: +1 (213) 389-1215
Email: violet.w@moc.gov.tw
