“Portrait of the Homeland”: Concert Marking the 10th Anniversary of the Passing of 馬水龍 Concludes

Thank you to everyone who joined us. “Portrait of the Homeland,” the concert marking the tenth anniversary of the passing of 馬水龍, came to a warm close on 2 November in the Main Theater of the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center. Guided by host 李葭儀, we traveled back more than half a century to the homeland of 馬水龍’s music.

In the first half, three pianists—范姜毅, 盧易之 and 汪奕聞—brought to life the festive bustle of “Taiwan Suite” (臺灣組曲), the poetry of “Sketches of the Rainy Harbor” (雨港素描), painted by a composer who once dreamed of becoming a painter, and the expansiveness of “Guandu Sketches” (關渡素描).

In the second half, under the baton of 邱君強, we presented a completely different side of 馬水龍, singing folk songs rooted deep in the land. From “Summer Downpour” (西北雨直直落) and “Farm Village Song” (農村曲) to “Brother An-Tong Buys Groceries” (安童哥買菜), these catchy melodies were transformed through 馬水龍’s ingenuity into refined and delicate choral art.

The closing work, “The Injustice to Dou E” (竇娥冤), was the centerpiece of the evening. General Manager 方素貞 took on Peking-opera-style recitation for the first time, conveying Dou E’s grief and passion. Thank you to suona player 溫育良, daguangxian player 羅常秦, and percussionists 黃雅綾, Huang Li-Ya, 莊語綺, 巫弈仙, 陳家蓁 and 李玠嫻, among others. The suona’s cry tore across the sky, blending with voices and traditional percussion; through this profound music we expressed our remembrance of and respect for 馬水龍.

Thank you again to every audience member for your warm applause, to the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Taiwan Music Institute for their generous support, and to executive coordinator 葉青青 for meticulous planning that made the concert a success.

Photography: 王俊凱 (courtesy of the Taiwan Music Institute)