Felix Chen

Felix Chiu-sen Chen (Chinese: 陳秋盛) is a Taiwanese conductor. He was resident conductor and Music Director of the Taipei Symphony Orchestra from 1986 until he resigned in 2003 under "extremely controversial circumstances."^[1]

Chen began his musical career by studying violin. He was the first prize winner in Taiwan's provincial violin competition in 1959.^[2] Later he studied in the Munich Conservetory in Germany. He returned to Taiwan in 1969 and played violin in several orchestras. In 1971, he moved to Austria to study conducting, returning again to Taiwan in 1973 to work for the Taiwan Provincial Symphony Orchestra. He later moved to the Taipei Symphony Orchestra (TSO), which he led for 17 years. During his service for the TSO, Chen was not only praised for his orchestral conducting, but he was also a noted opera conductor.^[2] Every year Chen and TSO produced one or two operas, such as Aida, Otello or Turandot, which were major musical events in Taiwan.

However, in September 2003, Chen was involved in a forgery scandal and was accused of corruption. As a result, the Department of Culture Affairs of the Taipei City Government (Chinese: 臺北市政府文化局) decided to relieve him of his post. Chen eventually chose to retire, and some people believed he was forced to do so.^[3]

In a 2003 article in the local Taipei Times newspaper, Mr. Chen was described as "a veritable Taiwanese 'living national treasure,'" due to his "long line of magnificent concerts and opera productions." ^[4]

Taiwanese conductors Lü Shao-chia and Chien Wen-pin were both Chen's students.

After his retirement, Chen turned his career focus to teaching. Currently he teaches at the National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei National University of the Arts, and Tainan National University of Arts. He is also sometimes invited to give guest performances with the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra.^[5]

References

1. ^ Bradley Winterton (January 11, 2008). "TSO announces crucial appointment". Taipei Times. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2008/01/11/2003396711. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "客席指揮／陳秋盛 簡介" (in Chinese). National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. http://www.ntso.gov.tw/performance/2006/95_06_26_ChenChiuSen.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-29. 
3. ^ "當了十七年團長 陳秋盛宣布退休" (in Chinese). Epoch Times. September 30, 2003. http://news.epochtimes.com/b5/3/9/30/n385137.htm. 
4. ^ Bradley Winterton (October 17, 2003). "`Salome' is revisited and reconstructed in Felix Chen's new production at National Theater". Taipei Times. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2003/10/17/2003072306. 
5. ^ "培養南藝大音樂奇才－指揮家陳秋盛 婉拒於上海音樂院任課" (in Chinese). Liberty Times. July 11, 2007. http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2007/new/jul/11/today-art2.htm. 

Persondata
Name	Chen, Felix
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death