International Contemporary Voices Converge in Taipei TSO Presents the Asian Premiere of Nico Muhly’s “Concerto Grosso” and the Taiwan Premiere of Outi Tarkiainen’s “Rapids of Life”.
If you think symphonic music is all about sitting still and behaving properly, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra’s (TSO) upcoming concert on June 7 may well change your mind. Asian and Taiwan Premieres Showcase Contemporary Music The concert will feature two major premieres: the Asian premiere of “Concerto Grosso” by American composer Nico Muhly, and the Taiwan premiere of “Rapids of Life” by Finnish composer Outi Tarkiainen. The program will be led by acclaimed Finnish violinist, conductor, and musical innovator Pekka Kuusisto, one of today’s most imaginative and versatile musicians. Commissioned jointly by the Taipei Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Muhly’s “Concerto Grosso” places four distinctive solo instruments—flute, trombone, cello, and percussion—at its center. Rather than highlighting a single soloist, the work explores shifting relationships among the four performers through competition, alliance, dialogue, and collaboration. Muhly, whose work spans concert music, opera, theatre, and film—including scores for “The Reader” and the BBC adaptation of “Howards End”—is known for his ability to create emotionally nuanced and richly textured sound worlds. Reflecting on the work’s premiere in Los Angeles, Muhly remarked that one of its most unexpected outcomes was allowing audiences to “rehear the orchestra.” By bringing orchestral musicians to the foreground, listeners become aware not only of individual virtuosity but also of the intricate web of interactions and collective energy that animate an orchestra from within. The four soloists for this performance are all distinguished members of the TSO: flutist Liu Chao-Che, trombonist Lee Shyan-Jer, cellist Jan Shu-Ting, and percussionist Chen I-Ju. Stepping from their usual orchestral roles into the spotlight, they will reveal a different dimension of artistry through Muhly’s innovative concerto. The contemporary focus of the evening continues with Outi Tarkiainen’s “Rapids of Life”, receiving its Taiwan premiere. Inspired by the primal forces surrounding birth and creation, the work unfolds through flowing textures and layered orchestral colors, evoking both the mystery of nature and the power of life itself. Pekka Kuusisto: A Musical Visionary Beyond Boundaries Currently Artistic Co-Director of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Kuusisto will become Chief Conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra in 2028. Kuusisto moves effortlessly between classical repertoire, contemporary music, improvisation, and composition. His collaborations with Nico Muhly span many years, and “Concerto Grosso” emerged from the strong artistic rapport between the two musicians. With Kuusisto conducting the work’s Asian premiere, the performance promises an interpretation deeply connected to the composer’s original vision. From the Flight of Swans to the Gates of Heaven: Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5 Concluding the evening is Jean Sibelius’s monumental Symphony No. 5, one of the defining orchestral masterpieces of the twentieth century. Sibelius famously described the work as a moment when “God opened His door for a moment and His orchestra played the Fifth Symphony.” Driven by radiant orchestral sonorities and powerful rhythmic momentum, the symphony captures the grandeur of the Nordic landscape and the pulse of life itself. Its celebrated “swan theme” remains one of the most iconic moments in symphonic literature. TSO Continues to Build an International Showcase for Contemporary Music In recent years, TSO has steadily developed its Contemporary Music Showcase initiative, bringing world premieres, Taiwan premieres, and international co-commissions to local audiences. Bringing together Nordic landscapes, contemporary creativity, and symphonic tradition, this concert reflects TSO’s ongoing commitment to expanding its artistic horizons and introducing audiences to the most exciting musical voices of our time. Audiences are invited to experience an evening where contemporary music and the symphonic imagination meet in powerful and unexpected ways.
