Taiwan International Cello Festival (TWICF)
9th - 19th October 2024
In 2024, the Taiwan International Cello Festival (TWICF) will take place for the first time. We are looking forward to a brilliant multi-day celebration dedicated to the cello and to creating memorable moments, which we are excited to share with you!
Our international guests, renowned cello masters, as well as distinguished professors from Taiwan, share their passion for the cello and their friendship both on and off the stage.
Young cellists will have the valuable opportunity to meet the greats of the cello world and gain inspiration in master classes, featuring Jens Peter Maintz, Wen-Sinn Yang, Christian Poltéra, and Stephan Braun (Jazz cello) this year. The master classes are open to interested audiences.
Confluence Musikfest 2024
April 2023
I am pleased to present the seventh Confluence Music Festival from April 11 - 13, 2024! Once again this year, you can expect a wonderful concert program with many surprises! Every year for the past seven years, the Confluence Musikfest has brought a fascinating mix of seemingly musical opposites to the same stage, offering concerts with a diversity that is rarely heard.
Visit our website: www.confluence-zurich.ch
Die "Swiss Music Night" Konzerte feiern 2023 ihr 10-jähriges Jubiläum
Oktober 2023
With this year's anniversary of the "Swiss Music Night" concerts, we can look back on ten successful and fruitful years of musical exchange between Taiwan and Switzerland. Founded in 2013 by Pi-Chin Chien and Fabian Müller, outstanding musicians and composers from both countries have engaged in a wonderful dialogue, which ultimately resulted in unforgettable concert experiences for both the musicians themselves and the audience. The collaboration with countless distinguished musicians from both countries will continue this year as well. For the this year jubilee two of Switzerland's most successful cultural ambassadors, world-known recorder virtuoso Maurice Steger, acclaimed Swiss violinist Sebastian Bohren and distinguished Swiss-Taiwanese cellist Pi-Chin Chien will join Taiwan's outstanding musicians Jimmy Hsueh on the violin, Chen-Hung Ho on the viola, Yi-Hsuan Chiu on the double bass, Mei-Ling Chien on the piano and Chia-hsuan Tsai on the harpsichord with a spectacular musical journey from the Baroque to the present day in the National Concert Hall in Taipei and the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying.
Confluence Musikfest 2023
May 2023
With the Confluence Music Festival 2023, Pi-Chin Chien and Fabian Müller once again presented an extraordinary program with rarely heard and many surprises. The evening with the Brazilian Grand Segnieur of the cello, Antonio Meneses, accompanied on the piano by Rolando Rolim with cello literature from Brazil will remain unforgettable. Two exceptional artists surprised the audience on instruments rarely heard in a classical context: Hanspeter Oggier, pan flute, and Martin Frutiger, heckelphone, magnificently accompanied by Tamara Chitadze. The culminating highlight was an evening for all the senses, a musical encounter with the world champion chocolatier Fabian Rimann and works inspired by chocolate and other sweets by Richard Strauss, Jaques-Dalcroze, Juon, Tchaikovsky and others, played by Daniel Dodds, violin, Pi-Chin Chien, cello and Yvonne Lang, piano.
New Year's Concert 2023 at the National Concert Hall in Taipei «Taiwan Rhapsody»
1st january 2023
Pi-Chin Chien follows an invitation from the One Song Orchestra to perform the «Taiwan Rhapsody» for cello and orchestra on the occasion of the traditional New Year's concert in the National Concert Hall in Taipei on 1st of January 2023.
Fabian Müller wrote this cello concerto for her ten years ago. Many well-known Taiwanese folk songs are woven into it.
It was released in 2015 on a successful album (Sony Classical) and since then has not only been heard several times in Taiwan, but also in Germany (e.g. in the Berlin Philharmonie).
The One Song Orchestra is conducted by Lee Che-yi (李哲藝).
Swiss Music Night 2022 – Taiwan Premiere of
"Tea for Two Cellos"
October 2022
After the cancellation of the Swiss Music Night concerts for health reasons by the Quatuor Sine Nomine, Pi-Chin Chien stand in for them and performed the Taiwan premiere of "Tea for Two Cellos" together with the Taiwanese cellist Chu-Chan Liu 劉姝嫥.
The music by Fabian Müller, which transcend some of the most exclusive teas in music for cello duo, was performed at three concert evenings in the National Kaoshiung Center for the Arts Weiwuying, in the National Taichung Theater and in the National Recital Hall in Taipei in October 2022.
Premiere Recording! – Works for cello & piano
by Emile Jaques-Dalcroze
11th April 2022
Pi-Chin Chien likes to discover unknown treasures of the cello literature, like the works by Paul Juon, of whom she realized the first CD recordings of his Cello Concerto, Triple Concerto and Cello Sonata. With the pianist Bernhard Parz she has now made the world premiere recording of the entire works for cello and piano by the Swiss late romantic composer Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950). The valuable and expressive works testify to great originality and esprit. He is considered the founder of rhythmic-musical education. While his pedagogical methods have spread worldwide and institutes around the world have dedicated themselves to them, his compositional work has remained largely undiscovered. The album will be released by the label Tyxart.
Confluence Music Festival 2022 – The 5th edition
5.-7. May 2022
From May 5th to 7th, 2022 the 5th edition of the Confluence Music Festival takes part in the heart of Zurich again with a nice program under the artistic direction of Pi-Chin Chien. The Confluence Music Festival brings a fascinating mixture of different music onto the same stage and offers varied and exciting concerts that are rarely heard. Lively music-making experienced by world-class musicians up close.
Germany-Tour 2021 – Gasteig Munich,
Beethoven-Liederhalle Stuttgart, Konzerthaus Berlin
16. - 20. September 2021
The Trio consists of three musician friends from Taiwan who came to Europe and the USA as young talents and began a successful career. The Hsin siblings, the violinist Ming-Feng (first violinist in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York) and the pianist Giselle (professor of the Institute of Music at the National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan) played together as a duo for life and later worked individually with the Cellist Pi-Chin Chien (artistic director of the Swiss Music Night in Taiwan and the “Confluence” music festival in Zurich).
However, each of them dreamed of playing as a trio with the others on one of the three continents for a long time. This program will perform pieces by two leading Taiwanese composers, Shui-Long Ma and Ming-Hsiu Yen, to present the music of two generations of our time. The conclusion pays homage to the great German composer of the Romantic period, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, with his trio in C minor.
«Swiss Music Night» 2020 in the National Concert Hall, Taipei - Homage to Yehudi Menuhin
17th November 2020
On November 17, 2020, the 7th edition of the annual Swiss Music Night concerts will take place in Taiwan. Founded in 2013 by Pi-Chin Chien, this concert series has established itself as an important platform for musical exchange between Switzerland and Taiwan. The “Swiss Music Night” 2020 pays homage to Yehudi Menuhin, who became Swiss citizen 1970. The two siblings Hsing-Chwen Hsin, piano and Ming-Feng Hsin, violin, who have been supported by Menuhin since early childhood, play an attractive chamber music program together with Pi-Chin Chien with works by Paul Juon, Ernest Bloch, Fabian Müller and Felix Mendelssohn.
«Sirimadi» concert piece for violoncello and orchestra and the Rondo by A. Dvořák - National Concert Hall, Taipei, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra ESO/Gernot Schmalfusss
11th October 2020
The Taiwan premiere of “Sirimadi”, a concert piece based on a Buddhist legend for violoncello and orchestra, will take place on October 11th. The work by Swiss composer Fabian Müller was premiered in 2012 on the occasion of the celebrations of 80 years of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Thailand in Bangkok by Pi-Chin Chien (with Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra). Antonin Dvořák's Rondo in G minor for violoncello and orchestra will also be performed. Pi-Chin Chien is accompanied by the Evergreen Symphony Orchestra ESO under the direction of Gernot Schmalfuss..
Digital album at ARS Produktion - "Suite for Violoncello & String Orchestra" by Fabian Müller
7th September 2020
In September 2020 the “Suite for violoncello and string orchestra” as well as two other concertante works by Fabian Müller were released as a digital album on the German label ARS Produktion. The soloists are accompanied by the Zurich Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Ruben Gazarian.
CD Release «Strings on the Move»
17. May 2020
The Lithuanian fairy tale of Eglė, the Queen of Grass Snakes, is brought to life alongside the glittering Baltic Sea by Strings on the Move in Zurich as a concertino for the violoncello, four-hand piano and string orchestra, while eight classic Swiss folk songs are transported to the Lithuanian seaport.
On the CD published by the Estonian label ERP are two works of Fabian Müller, the Concertino for cello, piano for four hands and string orchestra, as well as the «Swiss Suite» for violoncello and string orchestra; with Pi-Chin Chien, violoncello, the piano duo Vilma & Daniel Zbinden, and the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra. On the CD are also two works by the great Lithuanian composer Eduardas Balsys. For excerpts of the music please click on the link below.
The CD was released by the label «Estonian Recordings Productions» in partnership with the «Klaipeda Concert Hall».
Confluence Music Festival 2020
2. Mai 2020
The Confluence Music Festival unfortunately had to be postponed due to the Corona crisis. It now takes place between April 10 and April 24, 2021.
Recording of the «Concertino» for cello, piano for four hands and string orchestra by Fabian Müller
20. Januar 2020
In January 2020, the recordings of two works on CD will take place in Lithuania, the Concertino for cello, piano for four hands and string orchestra, as well as the «Swiss Suite» for violoncello and string orchestra by Swiss composer Fabian Müller; with Pi-Chin Chien, violoncello, the piano duo Vilma & Daniel Zbinden, and the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra. The CD is expected to be released in spring 2020.
Taipei-Premiere – «Taiwan Rhaposdy» with the «Taipei Chinese Orchestra» TCO
25. October 2019
The three-movement cello concerto "Taiwan Rhapsody" written for her will perform Pi-Chin Chien for the first time in a new version for orchestra with traditional Chinese instruments. She will be accompanied by the outstanding Taipei Chinese Orchestra TCO under the direction of Li-Pin Cheng.
The concert will take place on October 25, 2019 at the National Concert Hall in Taipei.
September 2019 – New Album «Tea for Two Cellos»
1. September 2019
How does a tea sound? Carried by the elegiac sound of two cellos (Pi-Chin Chien & Fabian Müller), the album which will be released at the end of August (by Solo-Musica), contains sounds that transcend the fragrance and character of particularly precious teas in music.
After the great success of their album "Taiwan Rhaposdy" (Sony), Pi-Chin Chien and Fabian Müller are now presenting another original album with culture-connecting music. Also in the present album a lot of Taiwanese has flowed into the compositions. So, one hears again and again motifs of the songs of the Taiwanese indigenous people as they are typical for example for the tribes of the Bunun or Paiwan. Some tunes may remind one of the famous song composer Teng Yu-Hsien, who was able to combine the many musical influences in Taiwan, South China, Japanese, Western, in a unique synthesis. In the elegiac pentatonic melodies, however, influences of Chinese music are also clearly audible.
Third Confluence Musikfest in Zurich
4. May 2019
Together with Fabian Müller, Pi-Chin Chien launched the "Confluence" music festival in 2017. The timeless connection of folk music and classical music and the musical encounter of different cultures is also the theme of the 3rd Confluence Music Festival. It will take place between 4 and 18 May 2019.
2018: «Taiwan Rhaposdy» at Berlin Philharmonic
15. April 2018
Pi-Chin Chien plays the "Taiwan Rhaposdy" in the Great Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, a cello concerto in three movements based on Taiwanese folk songs composed by Fabian Müller. The CD released by Sony Classical celebrated a great success in her homeland Taiwan. Now she plays this work accompanied by the Berliner Musikfreunde Orchestra under the direction of Yukari.Ishimoto.
World premiere at the International Chamber Music Festival Avanti in Kaunas, Lithuania
11. April 2018
As part of the International Chamber Music Festival Avanti in Kaunas, Lithuania, Pi-Chin Chien plays together with pianist duo Duo Vilma & Daniel Zbinden the world premiere of the «Concertino for piano four hands, violoncello and string orchestra» by Fabian Müller. They are accompanied by the VDO Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jonas Janulevicus.
Taiwan Rhapsody with the Brandenburg State Orchestra and Daniel Blendulf
24. November 2017
Germany, Frankfurt a.d.O. - Concert hall C.Ph.E. Bach. After concerts in Taiwan and Switzerland, the «Taiwan Rhapsody» will be heard for the first time in Germany with the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt under the direction of the Swedish conductor Daniel Blendulf.
Double concertos by Saint-Saëns and Pfitzner at the Murten Classics Festival 2017
31. August 2017
Pi-Chin Chien and Willi Zimmermann, violin will play the Double concertos by Camille Saint-Saëns «La muse et le poète» and Hans Pfitzner's Duo für Violine, Cello und small Orchestra op. 43 with the Sinfonia Varsovia conducted by Kaspar Zehnder.
Swiss Music Night with Swiss cellists in Taiwan
5. June 2017
In 2017 Pi-Chin Chien invited three of the most distinguished swiss cellist for the „Swiss Music Night“ in Taiwan. It was a collaboration with the Tainan National University of Arts TNNUA, its symphony orchestra and conductor Kai-Hsi Fan. This had also an important educational effect including 2 days master-classes by the invited Swiss soloists, Thomas Grossenbacher, Yves Savary und David Riniker, giving their knowledge and experiences to the younger generation. A fulminant concert with pieces for cello and orchestra played by Pi-Chin and the invited soloists built the finale in the National Concert Hall in Taipei.
«Swiss Suite» for cello and piano released by Hug Edition, Zurich
22. April 2017
Fabian Müller wrote the "Swiss Suite" for Pi-Chin Chien, and she played the premiere it at the "Swiss Music Night" 2013 in Taiwan. The version with piano accompaniment has now been published by the Hug Edition (CD included).
Confluence Music Festival in Zurich - 2017 for the first time
21. April 2017
Together with Fabian Müller, Pi-Chin Chien founded the "Confluence" Music Festival in Zurich, which will take place for the first time in 2017. The timeless connection between Folk music and classical music, the musical encounters of East and West are topics that can be experienced between 29 April and 13 May.
Pi-Chin Chien performs in the 2016 Concert of the Presidential Office in Taiwan
19. November 2016
To show the depth of Taiwan’s musical heritage and to promote Taiwan's musical talents, the Office of the President was holding the 2016 Concert of the Presidential Office on Saturday, November 19, at 18:30 in Ching-Kuo Hall in an effort to respond to our cultural community’s call to bring back this great tradition.
Asian Premiere of Paul Juon's Triple concerto
12. March 2016
For the first time ever, the wonderful masterpiece by late-romantic Swiss composer Paul Juon was performed in Asia. The concerts took place in the National Concert Hall in Taipei and Kaohsiung in March 2016. The soloist s were Willi Zimmermann, violin, Pi-Chin Chien, cello and Pi-Hsien Chen, piano, accompanied by the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kaspar Zehnder.
World premiere of «Taiwan Rhapsody» and «Six Taiwanese Songs» for cello and orchestra; Pi-Chin Chien, cello; National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra NTSO conducted by Wen-Pin Chien
24. January 2015
On 23rd and 24th of January 2015 the world premieres of both works were played by Pi-Chin Chien, cello and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra NTSO conducted by well-known Taiwanese conductor Wen-Pin Chien. Through his wife, the cellist Pi-Chin Chien, Swiss composer Fabian Müller has a strong relation with the land and culture of Taiwan for more than two decades. After several arrangements of Taiwanese folk songs for chamber music ensembles in the past years, the idea of bringing traditional songs into a western symphonic context was created in spring 2012. The result are two concerto-like works for cello and symphony orchestra: the «Taiwan Rhapsody» in three movements and the Suite «Six Taiwanese Songs» based on six traditional songs. Both works are just released on CD by Sony Classical Taiwan.
«Taiwan Rhapsody»: New CD with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London and conductor Wen-Pin Chien for Sony Music Taiwan
22. December 2014
Fabian Müller belongs to the most successful Swiss composers of his generation. Through his wife, the cellist Pi-Chin Chien, Fabian Müller has a strong relation with the land and culture of Taiwan for more than two decades. After several arrangements of Taiwanese folk songs for chamber music ensembles in the past years, the idea of bringing traditional songs into a western symphonic context was created in spring 2012. The result are two concerto-like works for cello and symphony orchestra: the «Taiwan Rhapsody» in three movements and the Suite «Six Taiwanese Songs» based on six traditional songs. Both works are now released on CD by Sony Music Taiwan. On this CD the works are played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pi-Chin Chien as soloist and under the direction of well-known Taiwanese conductor Wen-Pin Chien.
New CD with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra London, Pi-Chin Chien and Antonio Meneses
8. May 2013
In July 2013 a new CD was released by the German label ARS production with «Dialogues Cellestes», a double concerto for two cellos and orchestra by Swiss composer Fabian Müller. It was created on the initiative of Antonio Meneses and was first performed with him and Pi-Chin Chien 2009. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Claude Villaret, who has also directed the premiere.
