衛武營國家藝術文化中心 National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

The Five Elements is a dialogue expressed through sound, where five instruments interweave to evoke five unique textures—akin to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—engaging in cycles of mutual reinforcement and opposition. On the evening of October 2, the Diapason Piano Quintet Chamber Ensemble will perform at the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, presenting two iconic quintets that span across centuries and contrasting styles:

Antonín Dvořák's Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81, and Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57.

Dvořák's masterpiece is celebrated as a jewel of Romantic chamber music, imbued with the rhythmic warmth of Bohemian folk tunes. From the spacious melodies of the first movement, the emotional ebb and flow of the second movement "Dumka", to the scherzo-like vitality of the third movement, and the jubilant finale, the piece unfolds like poetic lines—blending nature, culture, and heartfelt emotion.

In contrast, Shostakovich's quintet presents a restrained, intellectual aesthetic of the 20th century. Opening with a fugal theme that showcases disciplined counterpoint, the work develops into a nuanced landscape of moods—alternating between irony and contemplation. It is a silent yet introspective composition, embedding rational structure and subtle emotion between every note and pause.

This performance is brought to life by the Diapason Piano Quintet, a group of internationally acclaimed musicians active across Europe, the U.S., and Taiwan. The ensemble features violinists Shu-Lan Hsu and Yi-Yun Tsai, violist I-Pei Lin, cellist Chun-Wen Chuan, and pianist Yun-Yao Kao. Together, their exceptional technique and deep musical insight will explore the expressive extremes of these quintet masterpieces.

Join us on this autumn evening, and step into the musical cosmos of the five elements—listening to a heartfelt whisper of poetry through sound.

Tickets are on sale now—secure your seat!

  Program  

Antonín Dvořák: 
Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major Op. 81

Dimitri Shostakovich : 
The Piano Quintet in g minor Op. 57

  Creative and Production Team  

Violin｜Shu-Lan Hsu

Violin｜Yi-Yun Tsai

Viola｜I-Pei Lin

Cello｜Chun-Wen Chuan

Piano｜Yun-Yao Kao

  Artists Introduction  

Violin｜Shu-Lan Hsu

A direct disciple of Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Shu-Lan Hsu once performed a double violin concerto before Queen Elizabeth II and was praised by L’Express (France) as "a talent of the highest level." She graduated from the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Conservatoire de Paris, and the Rueil-Malmaison Conservatory, winning top international prizes and setting a record for highest honors at the latter. She has served as concertmaster of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the European Chamber Orchestra, and interned at the Paris Opera. Upon returning to Taiwan, she was appointed concertmaster of the Chimei Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, she teaches at National Kaohsiung Normal University and Tainan Girls' Senior High School. Hsu performs actively across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, promoting both music education and contemporary works on the international stage.

Violin｜Yi-Yun Tsai

Yi-Yun Tsai received her master's degree from the Mannes School of Music (USA) under a Merit Scholarship, studying with Aaron Rosand and serving as concertmaster of the school orchestra. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore, studying with Lefty Cheung. Passionate about chamber music and international collaborations, she has performed at Alice Tully Hall in New York, the Moritzburg Festival in Germany, and in numerous venues across the U.S. and Asia. In 2021, she was selected for the Eslite Emerging Artists Program. Tsai has served as concertmaster for various festivals and concerts and is committed to promoting diverse musical experiences.

Viola｜I-Pei Lin

A native of Kaohsiung, I-Pei Lin holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance from Michigan State University, where she studied under Eric Nowlin, principal violist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She received a full scholarship and served as a teaching assistant in the viola department. Lin earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Taipei National University of the Arts, studying with renowned string professors. While in the U.S., she served as principal violist of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and performed with several other ensembles. Since returning to Taiwan, she has performed with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra, National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, and Kaohsiung Symphony Orchestra. She is currently principal violist of the New Classical Chamber Orchestra and teaches at Feng Xin High School and I-Shou International School.

Cello｜Chun-Wen Chuan

Dr. Chun-Wen Chuan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland and is an active cellist in performance, education, and outreach. He was praised by Munich competition winner Evelyn Elsing and won first prize in the Taiwan National Cello Competition. Chuan's performance footprint spans Taiwan, the U.S., and Europe, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Lincoln Center, and with the World Youth Orchestra. He has served as principal cellist and conductor for numerous orchestras. During his time in the U.S., he founded the Kentlands Music Studio and was a frequent judge and music director for competitions. Upon returning to Taiwan, he began teaching at Fu Jen Catholic University and collaborating with universities for concerts and lectures. He currently serves as leader of the iCello Ensemble and Artistic Director of the Tainan Elite Orchestra, continuing to advocate for music education and performance.

Piano｜Yun-Yao Kao

Born in Kaohsiung, Yun-Yao Kao is currently the artist-in-residence at Cheng Shiu University and one of Taiwan’s most prominent contemporary pianists. He graduated from Taipei National University of the Arts, then obtained a master's degree from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, studying under Marian Hahn and Alexander Shtarkman. During his student years, Kao won numerous national competitions and received the Best Interpretation Award at the 2007 Baltimore International Piano Competition. He has participated in many international music festivals and studied with world-renowned teachers.

After returning to Taiwan, Kao has been actively performing and collaborating with local and international orchestras, with a repertoire spanning classical, contemporary, jazz, and crossover works. His performances have reached audiences in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and China. He is a multiple-time recipient of grants from the National Culture and Arts Foundation. Kao is also devoted to teaching and currently teaches at several institutions, playing a vital role in nurturing Taiwan's next generation of musicians.