Yilan to host international double bass camp

2015/07/15

An international double bass summer camp is set to kick off July 17 in Yilan County, eastern Taiwan, featuring as tutors renowned musicians Thierry Barbe and Catalin Rotaru.

Organized by Lan Yang Cultural and Educational Foundation, the eight-day event comprises basic technique training, chamber music, lectures, master classes and recitals. A total of 54 local students and six from abroad are expected to take part in the camp.

Lin Chiu-fang, foundation CEO and director of Yilan County Government’s Cultural Affairs Bureau said the event is a valuable platform for better connecting the rural region with the world. “Equally important, it is a rare and special opportunity for world-class musicians to share their knowledge and skills with the youth.”

The two foreign masters are top teachers and performers of classical and jazz music in the global double bass circle. They were invited by camp artistic director Fu Yung-ho, the Yilan-born principal double bass at Taiwan’s National Symphony Orchestra.

Barbe is a professor at the National Superior Conservatory of Music of Paris and principal bass of the orchestra of Paris National Opera, while Rotaru—an associate professor at Arizona State University—travels the world performing and judging competitions.

According to Lin, the pair will also appear at Yilan Performance Hall, with Barbe and Rotaru playing Dvorak’s Concerto for Cello in B minor and Schubert’s Sonata in A minor July 18 and 19, respectively.

Building on the success of Yilan Paddy Field Spring Concert in April 2013, LYCEF organizes various themed concerts involving local musicians every six months. This summer it is the first time for the foundation to hold a musical event with international masters.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=232562&ctNode=413)