LIU Wei-Chih
LIU Wei-Chih, born in Hualien, is one of the few composers in Taiwan working professionally in the field of contemporary music. His works are characterized by a nuanced exploration of timbre, complex sonic structures, and intense sensory experiences.
He has collaborated with numerous arts organizations and ensembles, including the National Theater & Concert Hall (NTCH), the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying), the Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO/Taiwan Philharmonic), National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan (NCO), the Taipei Chinese Orchestra, Ju Percussion Group, Shakespeare's Wild Sisters Group, Taipei Philharmonic Chamber Choir, 3peoplemusic, C-Camerata, Studio Acht, Baroque Robotics Studio, TimeArt Studio, as well as KNM Berlin in Germany, Singapore Chinese Orchestra, E-MEX Ensemble in Germany, Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, THReNSeMBLe in Hungary, Alea III in the United States, iKultur and Ovocutters in Austria, Composit New Music Festival in Italy, and Ding Yi Music Company in Singapore.
His composition was selected as Taiwan's representative entry for the 2018 UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers. In 2015, he won second prize in both the Alea III Competition in the United States and the Singapore International Competition for Chinese Orchestral Composition.
LIU received his bachelor's degree in composition from Soochow University and his master's degree in composition from the Taipei National University of the Arts. In 2016, he was selected for the Mentoring Programme jointly organized by the Taiwan Music Institute and the Péter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation, receiving advanced training in Europe. In 2024, he was selected for the Ministry of Culture's talent exchange program and undertook a residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. He has received guidance from internationally renowned composers such as Péter Eötvös, Pierluigi Billone, Toshio Hosokawa, and Unsuk Chin. His works have been widely recognized.
- Location France / Paris
- Year of the Grant 2024
- Residency Cité Internationale des Arts
- Work Daily Stage / dreamland (music for theatre)
- Personal Website LIU Wei-Chih's Personal Website
Before this residency, I had always looked forward to my overseas training and exchange programs with great excitement. This time, however, was different. I was going through an inner crisis and really needed to recharge and heal by "throwing" myself into a new environment. In the end, it worked out really well. I was totally immersed in Paris's cultural scene and met many artists from all over the world, from visual artists to dancers, composers, musicians, conductors, choreographers, painters, and theater directors. While in Paris, I also reconnected and became better acquainted with several Taiwanese musicians and actors I already knew. We decided to work together on new projects, including a trio performance scheduled to premiere in Paris the following year.
The Cité Internationale des Arts sits in the heart of Paris, surrounded by many sites and venues worth visiting. The Cité offers a wide variety of resources, including workshops, guided tours, and art classes. There's an open studio every Wednesday, when the Cité opens its doors to the public to showcase works by resident artists. There's also a Carte Cité (Cité card) that offers free or discounted admission to many museums and shows. The highlight of my residency in Paris was experiencing a wealth of visual and performing arts, sporting events, and religious ceremonies. I visited so many museums during my six-month stay. Most of them were free with a Cité card and every single one was worth exploring. The museum explanations traced the evolution of painting and sculpture and provided some basic insights into French history. While browsing the museums, I could feel the artists' perception of and response to social and political issues. Seeing these masterpieces in person helped me understand traditional Western painting on a much deeper level.
Aside from visiting museums, I also attended many performing arts shows. The majority of these were contemporary art music concerts, which is my specialty. I was particularly fascinated by large-scale, refined performances that combine artistic excellence with popular entertainment. There is no doubt that France is a true cultural hub. It was also a great joy for me to see the works and performances of many familiar Taiwanese artists here in Paris.
Author: LIU Wei-Chih
Edited: Brix