January 19 was an extremely interesting and important day for me. I was invited to Taichung to receive an appointment as Taiwan's River Ambassador by the Central Government's Ministry of Water Resources (WRA), and to participate in a symposium about river ecology.
對我來說一月十九是個非常有趣及重要的一天，我受中央政府水利署(WRA)邀請到台中擔任台灣河川大使，並參與河川生態有關的座談會。
It was an honour to be introduced by WRA Director Chen Shen hsien, as we share the same passion for rivers. Rivers have long been at the heart of my musical activism because, as Director Chen expressed, they truly are the life's blood of an ecosystem. They have touched every living thing within their watersheds. They support complex freshwater ecosystems, which support shoreline ecosystems, which support river valley ecosystems and so on.
當水利署署長陳伸賢介紹我的時候我感到很榮幸，我們有著對河川一樣的熱情。長期以來河川是我音樂的主軸因為，就像陳署長所表態的，它們在生態環境裡真的是生物們的血液。在它們的流域中它們接觸到了所有在流域裡的生物。它們扶持著複雜的淡水生態環境，也扶持著河谷的生態環境等等。
And when we consider all the life they support, this in turn means they have supported the evolution of both the local ecology as well as the traditional and aboriginal cultures which have thrived there.
並且當我們認為它們正扶持著所有的生命時，反過來這還意味著它們扶持著地方的生態演變並興旺了當地的傳統何原始文化。
One of the most important barometers of a region's ecological wellbeing are its rivers. This is why I co-founded the Annual Yukon Wildlands Concerts in 1994 which involved bringing artists, photographers and musicians on river expeditions to create multimedia concerts. These concerts raised awareness about the issues which threaten river ecosystems.
一個區域生態學最重要的晴雨表是河川帶來的福利。這是為什麼我在1994年創辦了一年一度的育空荒野音樂會裡面包含了藝術家，攝影師及音樂家一起遠征河川來創造多媒體音樂會。這些音樂會提升了對河川生態威脅議題的警覺性。
Taiwan is lucky to have so many magnificent rivers. But Taiwan's rivers are facing tremendous challenges due to overdevelopment, water management, pollution, and a dense population which uses the water for consumption, energy, and pollution drainage.
台灣很幸運有許多壯觀的河川。但是台灣的河川正面對著巨大的挑戰就因為過度開發、水管裡、污染和大量人口把水用在消耗，能源及汙水處理設備上。
Taiwan also has an extreme topography resulting in volatile and powerful rivers, creating flood concerns compounded by unwise construction habits within river flood plains.
同時台灣還有極端的地形形成強力且有爆發力的河川，因為有在河床上建築的習性而產生出擔心洪水的因素。
Taiwan's population base puts a great strain on water supplies, as only about 10% of Taiwan's rainfall is in the most populous regions. Efforts to control flooding and create water reserves have caused serious damage to Taiwan rivers and have become a growing concern among environmental groups.
台灣的人口基本在供水上投入了巨大的張力，大約只有10%的台灣降雨量在人口密集的區塊。努力的控制河川氾濫及建設儲水設備已對台灣河川造成嚴重的傷害並且在環境組織裡成為發展上所擔心的因素。
There are also cultural issues to contend with, such as the Amis aboriginal riverside village of Sanying in Taipei County which is facing forced relocation due to water safety policies and land ownership disputes.
相對也有對於文化方面的問題，例如台北縣三鶯部落的阿美族，正面對著因為水安全政策及土地擁有權的爭執而被迫遷居。
I hope to use my position as River Ambassador to inspire people about the importance of rivers and the ecosystems and cultures they support, and to encourage local and central governments to consider new approaches to river management in additional to protecting original river habitat.
我希望能夠用我河川大使的頭銜去引發人們，對於他們支持河川生態環境及文化的重要性，並且去促進當地及中央政府考慮新的親近河川管理方式，另外保護河川原本的生態環境。
It has long been my dream to produce songs -- stories of sound -- by recording each river's culture and nature from the headwaters to the sea, and in this way create an album for the largest rivers in Taiwan. My last project like this, called "A Journey of Water," focused on one county of Taiwan. I hope a project for all of Taiwan's major rivers would raise greater awareness and appreciation for the rivers of Taiwan.
製作歌曲已經是我很久的夢想--聲音的故事--經過紀錄每條河流從上游到海洋的文化及大自然，以這樣子的方式來為台灣的各大河川創造一張專輯。我上一個像這樣的計劃，叫"水事紀,"針對台灣的其中一個縣市。我希望有個對所有台灣主要的河川計劃，可以引起更多對台灣河川的認知及感恩。
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Happy New Year of the Cow! 牛年新年快樂!
As many of you know, the piano is the most important tool I have for expressing myself.大家都知道鋼琴是我表達自己最重要的工具。
The most important moments I've spent expressing myself, have been when I and the piano are alone.
當我獨自面對鋼琴時，是我表達自我最重要的時刻。
These experiences are meditation for me. They are the source of much inspiration, and the most precious moments of composition.
這些經驗讓我思考。它們是靈感的來源，是作曲最珍貴的時刻。
A small scale piano or electronic piano do not have the ability to inspire, and so due to financial limitations in my youth, and later my traveling lifestyle, it was never possible for me to own a piano of truly inspiring scale.
一架小鋼琴或電子琴無法讓我產生靈感，加上我年輕時的經濟狀況與之後的旅行生活模式，根本不可能擁有一架大到可以真正啟發靈感的鋼琴。
As a composer, there have been so many times when I would visit music instruments stores, or sneak around music universities and theaters and recording studios, in hopes of finding a concert-scale grand piano and express myself alone.
生為作曲家，我常去樂器行，或偷偷到音樂大學、戲院和錄音室，就只是希望可以找到一台演奏會規模般的大鋼琴來表達我自己。
When I was successful in finding a piano, tears would flow just as the music flowed from my heart through my fingers and into the piano. And this energy would then come back from the deep well within the piano, to telling me where the music should flow next.
當我如願找到這樣的鋼琴，當音樂從我心中傳到我的手指再注入琴鍵，淚水泛滿我的眼眶。這股能量透過鋼琴湧現，告訴我下一個音符的流動。
And this is how I have often composed my music, in hiding and in secret.
我平常就是這樣創作我的音樂，隱蔽而且秘密。
As a professional performer, the only opportunity I had to develop my skills on the piano was when I was preparing for a concert tour. But this did not provide me the opportubuty to improve my skills as a pianist, or to achieve my true potential.
生為專業的表演者，我只有在準備音樂會時，才有機會精進我的鋼琴演奏技能。但對一個鋼琴家來說，這並不能提升我的演奏技巧或發揮我的潛能。
But now all this has changed.
但現在已經改變了。
On January 21, a Yamaha C7 arrived at my Taipei music studio. This is certainly one of the most important purchases I have ever made, and signals a new era in my creative life.
一月二十一號，我的台北音樂室裡多了一架山葉C7鋼琴。這絕對是我所買的東西裡最重要的，也代表我展新的創作生活要開始了。
I wish to thank Yamaha Taiwan for their support. For ten years they have supplied pianos for my performances in Taiwan -- sometimes in very unusual and remote places! But the support they have provided with this new piano has been so touching!
我非常感謝台灣山葉公司的支持。這十年來，他們提供鋼琴，讓我在台灣表演--即使是在非常奇怪、偏遠的地方！而他們提供這台新鋼琴支持我，真的非常窩心！
11 hours before the piano arrived, I was watching the inauguration speech of President Obama. I had voted for him during the election, and I continue to feel hopeful when I hear him speak.
鋼琴抵達前11個小時，我正在看歐巴瑪總統的就職演說。選舉期間我投給他一票，聽著他演講，我感覺到希望。
It is this new sense of hope for the new year and for our future in this world, that is underscored by the arrival of this piano.
是一種對新年和世界未來的全新感受和希望，隨著鋼琴的到來，強烈觸動著我。
I am looking forward to applying myself to creating new works which inspire change for a better world.
我期盼自己創作新的作品，喚起大家做些改變，讓世界更美好。
I wish you all a happy, loving and rewarding new year of the cow!
祝福大家有個快樂、充滿愛和意義的新牛年！
Matthew (MaShow)
馬修
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Be the culprit, or be the change - 成為罪犯或成為改變的人
“… and the Germans kill the Jews and the Jews kill the Arabs and the Arabs kill the hostages and that is the news.” ~ Roger Waters
“…這則新聞是當德國人殺害猶太人之後猶太人殺害阿拉伯人之後阿拉伯人殺害人質。”
~Roger Waters
Is one life worth so much more — or less — than another?
一個生命比另一個生命更有價值還是更廉價?
Israel is currently hammering the Palestinians over the threat of small-scale rocket attacks fired from Gaza.
以色列為一場從加薩開始的小規模的火箭攻擊正回擊著巴勒斯坦人。
Gaza has long been in a stranglehold of Israeli control; its territories confiscated and walled in, its borders throttled and its people starving.
很久一段時間加薩是歸以色列所控管的；它的土地被圍住及沒收掉，它的邊界被壓制著然而他們的人民也在挨餓。
With memories reeling from Israel’s attack on Lebanon, the magnitude of the current retaliation is once again being referred to as “disproportionate”.
當記憶回到以色列對巴黎嫩的攻擊，而最重要現在的反擊再次被稱為“不平等的”
That is an understatement in my eyes. No extinguishing of human life is acceptable, and the scale the current attack is troubling in that high numbers of deaths are guaranteed.
在我眼中那是有節制的陳述。傷害人類生命是不會允許的，以目前規模的攻擊保證有大量的死亡率這是令人焦慮的
At ten days into the conflict, the death count was 530 Palestinians to 4 Israelis.
在這十天的衝突裡，死亡人數是530個巴勒斯坦人到4個以色列人。
At twelve days, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed, including 219 children and 89 women (children make up more than half of Gaza’s population) and the number of wounded Palestinians has risen to over 3,100.
在第十二天，超過700巴勒斯坦人被殺害了，包括219個小孩和89個婦女(在加薩的總人數中小孩子就超過了一半)及受傷的巴勒斯坦人的數量上升到超過3100人。
By comparison, 7 Israeli soldiers (3 of these mistakenly killed by Israeli weapons) and 4 civilians have been killed.
比較起來，7個以色列士兵(3個不小心被以色列的武器給錯殺了)和4個平民被殺害。
“Disproportionate” to say the least.
可說是「不平等的」。
The United Nations Security Council failed to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire because the United States opposed, saying that a return to the previous situation is unacceptable.
聯合國安理會沒有通過立即停火的決議是因為美國反對，說回到之前的情況是不能被接受的。
But as Mr. Bush and other world leaders recline on their fine upholstery and speak with feigned concern about the conflict, human voices are silenced never again to grace the air.
但是當布希先生及其他國家元首在他們高尚的精緻裝飾品室內並假裝對這衝突有所關心，人們的聲音從此沉默在空氣中。
If all human life is equal in value, the previous situation is far more desirable.
如果所有人的生命是同等值的話，之前的情況會是更理想的。
The previous situation involved unguided short-range rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, and while this has surely been a terrifying threat for those living within range, it has rarely resulted in injury or death.
在先前的情況裡介入了無嚮導的短程火箭彈從加薩進入以色列，當知道這對住在範圍裡的人有著恐怖的威脅，但它導致不多的傷害或死亡。
But Israel has used this as the basis for airstrikes, and now an invasion resulting in the very “disproportionate” killing of innocents.但以色列以這為依據發起空襲，及現在的入侵造成的非常“不平等的”殺害無相關的人。
Snuffing out someone’s chance to see their family again is unacceptable, and converting one loved-and-laughing child into a crying orphan, a screaming amputee, or a silent corpse is out of the question.
制止人們再見他們家人的機會是不被接受的，並且把一個可愛和愛笑的孩子變成一個哭泣的孤兒，一個尖叫的截肢者或是沒有疑問的一具沉默屍體。
And any elected official who merely chats policy while the dead are stuffed into overcrowded morgue refrigeration chambers should take a front-row seat in the strike zone — courtesy of their electorate — as their capacity for compassion has run dry. We do not need such people in positions of power.
當死者被塞進過度擁擠的太平間，所有只會談論政策的推舉官員們因該在攻擊區裡選在最前面的位子坐著 - 來回饋給投給他們的選民 – 當他們的同情心都沒有了。我們不需要這樣的人擁有這樣的力量。
There are countless theories as to the underlying reason for this assault and the perplexing US’ reaction, with economic interests glaringly apparent — indeed the vast majority of Israel’s high-tech war toys are sold to them by the US.
對於這個攻擊和美國令人困惑的反應背後有許多潛在理由的理論，以經濟利益最為突顯 – 實際上許多高科技戰爭武器是由美國販售於以色列的。
But just as this military action should be defined as a war crime, it should also be a crime for the US to provide so much weaponry to one side of the conflict and then sit by while thousands of unarmed people suffer the results.
但是像這樣的軍事行動因當被視為戰爭犯罪，這應該是種犯罪的行為，當美國提供武器裝備給予衝突的一方，結果成千上萬個赤手空拳的人就要受苦受難。
If we as humans upon this Earth share an equal right to life, the “path of least death” should be the chosen course.
如果我們人類在這地球上與其他生物有著共同的權益，那應該要選擇走一條「減少死亡」的路。
Let’s consider a few options:
讓我們仔細想幾個選擇：
a) If Israel attacks Gaza, thousands of men, women and children will be seriously injured or killed.
a) 如果以色列攻擊加薩，成千上萬的男人、女人和小孩將會受傷或是被殺害。
b) If Israel does absolutely nothing, many-times-fewer people will be seriously injured or killed.
b) 如果以色列沒有任何的動作的話，時間久了就會有更少人會受傷或被殺害。
c) If Israel does not engage in military retaliation and agrees to return contentious land to the Palestinian people, ease border controls so people can work and food and supplies can return to Gaza, and strive to build trust and respect, then perhaps rocket attacks would cease and nobody would die for a while.
c) 如果以色列不參與軍事報復及答應回歸存有爭議性的土地給巴勒斯坦的人民，放鬆邊境管制讓人民可以工作之後食物及供應品可以回到加薩，並且努力建立信任及尊重，或許終止飛彈攻擊將有一段時間不會有人死亡。
Surely, the only thing Israel is building now is deep-seated pain and hatred and a sense of hopelessness, creating a world of spiraling violence.
當然，現在以色列唯一在建造的是根深蒂固的痛苦及絕望憎恨的意識，創造一個暴力上升的世界。
I believe most of us wish to live in a world of reason, love, compassion and peace, where all share in the right to life.
我相信大多數的我們希望居住在一個充滿理性、愛、憐憫和和平的世界裡，一個所有生命一起分享著相同的權利。
If we and our policies embody that for which we wish, it must surely come to pass.
如果我們及實現我們的政策是我們所希望的，那就必須開始實施。
Be the culprit, or be the change.
成為罪犯或成為改變的人。
“…這則新聞是當德國人殺害猶太人之後猶太人殺害阿拉伯人之後阿拉伯人殺害人質。”
~Roger Waters
Is one life worth so much more — or less — than another?
一個生命比另一個生命更有價值還是更廉價?
Israel is currently hammering the Palestinians over the threat of small-scale rocket attacks fired from Gaza.
以色列為一場從加薩開始的小規模的火箭攻擊正回擊著巴勒斯坦人。
Gaza has long been in a stranglehold of Israeli control; its territories confiscated and walled in, its borders throttled and its people starving.
很久一段時間加薩是歸以色列所控管的；它的土地被圍住及沒收掉，它的邊界被壓制著然而他們的人民也在挨餓。
With memories reeling from Israel’s attack on Lebanon, the magnitude of the current retaliation is once again being referred to as “disproportionate”.
當記憶回到以色列對巴黎嫩的攻擊，而最重要現在的反擊再次被稱為“不平等的”
That is an understatement in my eyes. No extinguishing of human life is acceptable, and the scale the current attack is troubling in that high numbers of deaths are guaranteed.
在我眼中那是有節制的陳述。傷害人類生命是不會允許的，以目前規模的攻擊保證有大量的死亡率這是令人焦慮的
At ten days into the conflict, the death count was 530 Palestinians to 4 Israelis.
在這十天的衝突裡，死亡人數是530個巴勒斯坦人到4個以色列人。
At twelve days, more than 700 Palestinians have been killed, including 219 children and 89 women (children make up more than half of Gaza’s population) and the number of wounded Palestinians has risen to over 3,100.
在第十二天，超過700巴勒斯坦人被殺害了，包括219個小孩和89個婦女(在加薩的總人數中小孩子就超過了一半)及受傷的巴勒斯坦人的數量上升到超過3100人。
By comparison, 7 Israeli soldiers (3 of these mistakenly killed by Israeli weapons) and 4 civilians have been killed.
比較起來，7個以色列士兵(3個不小心被以色列的武器給錯殺了)和4個平民被殺害。
“Disproportionate” to say the least.
可說是「不平等的」。
The United Nations Security Council failed to pass a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire because the United States opposed, saying that a return to the previous situation is unacceptable.
聯合國安理會沒有通過立即停火的決議是因為美國反對，說回到之前的情況是不能被接受的。
But as Mr. Bush and other world leaders recline on their fine upholstery and speak with feigned concern about the conflict, human voices are silenced never again to grace the air.
但是當布希先生及其他國家元首在他們高尚的精緻裝飾品室內並假裝對這衝突有所關心，人們的聲音從此沉默在空氣中。
If all human life is equal in value, the previous situation is far more desirable.
如果所有人的生命是同等值的話，之前的情況會是更理想的。
The previous situation involved unguided short-range rockets fired from Gaza into Israel, and while this has surely been a terrifying threat for those living within range, it has rarely resulted in injury or death.
在先前的情況裡介入了無嚮導的短程火箭彈從加薩進入以色列，當知道這對住在範圍裡的人有著恐怖的威脅，但它導致不多的傷害或死亡。
But Israel has used this as the basis for airstrikes, and now an invasion resulting in the very “disproportionate” killing of innocents.但以色列以這為依據發起空襲，及現在的入侵造成的非常“不平等的”殺害無相關的人。
Snuffing out someone’s chance to see their family again is unacceptable, and converting one loved-and-laughing child into a crying orphan, a screaming amputee, or a silent corpse is out of the question.
制止人們再見他們家人的機會是不被接受的，並且把一個可愛和愛笑的孩子變成一個哭泣的孤兒，一個尖叫的截肢者或是沒有疑問的一具沉默屍體。
And any elected official who merely chats policy while the dead are stuffed into overcrowded morgue refrigeration chambers should take a front-row seat in the strike zone — courtesy of their electorate — as their capacity for compassion has run dry. We do not need such people in positions of power.
當死者被塞進過度擁擠的太平間，所有只會談論政策的推舉官員們因該在攻擊區裡選在最前面的位子坐著 - 來回饋給投給他們的選民 – 當他們的同情心都沒有了。我們不需要這樣的人擁有這樣的力量。
There are countless theories as to the underlying reason for this assault and the perplexing US’ reaction, with economic interests glaringly apparent — indeed the vast majority of Israel’s high-tech war toys are sold to them by the US.
對於這個攻擊和美國令人困惑的反應背後有許多潛在理由的理論，以經濟利益最為突顯 – 實際上許多高科技戰爭武器是由美國販售於以色列的。
But just as this military action should be defined as a war crime, it should also be a crime for the US to provide so much weaponry to one side of the conflict and then sit by while thousands of unarmed people suffer the results.
但是像這樣的軍事行動因當被視為戰爭犯罪，這應該是種犯罪的行為，當美國提供武器裝備給予衝突的一方，結果成千上萬個赤手空拳的人就要受苦受難。
If we as humans upon this Earth share an equal right to life, the “path of least death” should be the chosen course.
如果我們人類在這地球上與其他生物有著共同的權益，那應該要選擇走一條「減少死亡」的路。
Let’s consider a few options:
讓我們仔細想幾個選擇：
a) If Israel attacks Gaza, thousands of men, women and children will be seriously injured or killed.
a) 如果以色列攻擊加薩，成千上萬的男人、女人和小孩將會受傷或是被殺害。
b) If Israel does absolutely nothing, many-times-fewer people will be seriously injured or killed.
b) 如果以色列沒有任何的動作的話，時間久了就會有更少人會受傷或被殺害。
c) If Israel does not engage in military retaliation and agrees to return contentious land to the Palestinian people, ease border controls so people can work and food and supplies can return to Gaza, and strive to build trust and respect, then perhaps rocket attacks would cease and nobody would die for a while.
c) 如果以色列不參與軍事報復及答應回歸存有爭議性的土地給巴勒斯坦的人民，放鬆邊境管制讓人民可以工作之後食物及供應品可以回到加薩，並且努力建立信任及尊重，或許終止飛彈攻擊將有一段時間不會有人死亡。
Surely, the only thing Israel is building now is deep-seated pain and hatred and a sense of hopelessness, creating a world of spiraling violence.
當然，現在以色列唯一在建造的是根深蒂固的痛苦及絕望憎恨的意識，創造一個暴力上升的世界。
I believe most of us wish to live in a world of reason, love, compassion and peace, where all share in the right to life.
我相信大多數的我們希望居住在一個充滿理性、愛、憐憫和和平的世界裡，一個所有生命一起分享著相同的權利。
If we and our policies embody that for which we wish, it must surely come to pass.
如果我們及實現我們的政策是我們所希望的，那就必須開始實施。
Be the culprit, or be the change.
成為罪犯或成為改變的人。
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Soldiers of Sound and Soldiers of the Sun
This year brought an interesting change to my typical year-end routine.
Usually, musicians like me are asked to perform at midnight to celebrate the moment calendars flip over to the coming year.
Actually, the traditional midnight celebration has never been of interest to me, as midnight between December 31st and January 1st is a concept which has no significance in nature.
More interestingly, our calendar’s year-end is derived from the winter solstice which occurs on December 21st or 22nd of each year. This is when our planet’s relationship to the sun changes, bringing a return to warmer seasons.
This year, I was invited to perform for the new-year sunrise atop Taiwan’s scenic Alishan (Ali Mountain). This was an opportunity to celebrate something truly special.
And so my fiancée and I and my 6 musicians, their girlfriends or wives and children, along with our support crew, left Taipei on December 31st at 16:00 and traveled by high-speed rail for 90 minutes to Chiayi. We then drove up a winding road for 90 minutes in a small bus to a high mountain village on Alishan where an aboriginal dance performance was taking place.
By request, I hopped onstage and briefly greeted a happy crowd in the drizzling darkness, attempting my best pronunciation of the word “welcome” in the Tzou tribe’s aboriginal language.
“Ah-vi-viu-i!”
They were all here to witness the coming sunrise, and a buzz of excitement mingled with the cold, wet mountain air.
We continued by bus for another 40 minutes to the mountain’s peak, finally arriving at a helicopter landing pad where our concert was to take place the following dawn.
It was now 22:00, and our stage, grand piano, sound system, piano tuner and technical crew were waiting for us to soundcheck.
As I watched my musicians prepare their positions and test their stage monitors, I looked around at the friends and girlfriends and wives standing nearby, and a sense of “déjà vous” came to me.
This scene has been a part of my life ever since high school when I was playing with my band at parties and events, and it has been a recurring scene in all my years since.
Every time this scene returns, I feel a deep respect for all musicians and those who stand by them.
Musicians are special people. They have chosen sound as the product they create and survive from, and their product is only intended to create passion in the hearts of others.
And let me tell you, they are rarely doing this for the money — it is often much easier to get a “day job” and make more money in other occupations.
They do it for the love of the music, and those who stand by them share a similar love.
They are Soldiers of Sound, and I am honoured to present our sound together.
After our sunrise performance for 15,000 revelers, I watched as these weary-yet-happy people trekked back down the mountain.
I reflected on how all these people had arrived on foot, walking to this protected nature area for the sole purpose of watching the sun rise.
Just like my musicians, these were no ordinary people! These are Soldiers of the Sun!
They share a passion to witness our Earth’s rolling into the sun on this special day, because they know we live on an amazing planet, rolling around an amazing sun, in an amazing universe.
It was a good way to begin a new year, joined together with those who share a common love for life, sound, and the sun!
Usually, musicians like me are asked to perform at midnight to celebrate the moment calendars flip over to the coming year.
Actually, the traditional midnight celebration has never been of interest to me, as midnight between December 31st and January 1st is a concept which has no significance in nature.
More interestingly, our calendar’s year-end is derived from the winter solstice which occurs on December 21st or 22nd of each year. This is when our planet’s relationship to the sun changes, bringing a return to warmer seasons.
This year, I was invited to perform for the new-year sunrise atop Taiwan’s scenic Alishan (Ali Mountain). This was an opportunity to celebrate something truly special.
And so my fiancée and I and my 6 musicians, their girlfriends or wives and children, along with our support crew, left Taipei on December 31st at 16:00 and traveled by high-speed rail for 90 minutes to Chiayi. We then drove up a winding road for 90 minutes in a small bus to a high mountain village on Alishan where an aboriginal dance performance was taking place.
By request, I hopped onstage and briefly greeted a happy crowd in the drizzling darkness, attempting my best pronunciation of the word “welcome” in the Tzou tribe’s aboriginal language.
“Ah-vi-viu-i!”
They were all here to witness the coming sunrise, and a buzz of excitement mingled with the cold, wet mountain air.
We continued by bus for another 40 minutes to the mountain’s peak, finally arriving at a helicopter landing pad where our concert was to take place the following dawn.
It was now 22:00, and our stage, grand piano, sound system, piano tuner and technical crew were waiting for us to soundcheck.
As I watched my musicians prepare their positions and test their stage monitors, I looked around at the friends and girlfriends and wives standing nearby, and a sense of “déjà vous” came to me.
This scene has been a part of my life ever since high school when I was playing with my band at parties and events, and it has been a recurring scene in all my years since.
Every time this scene returns, I feel a deep respect for all musicians and those who stand by them.
Musicians are special people. They have chosen sound as the product they create and survive from, and their product is only intended to create passion in the hearts of others.
And let me tell you, they are rarely doing this for the money — it is often much easier to get a “day job” and make more money in other occupations.
They do it for the love of the music, and those who stand by them share a similar love.
They are Soldiers of Sound, and I am honoured to present our sound together.
After our sunrise performance for 15,000 revelers, I watched as these weary-yet-happy people trekked back down the mountain.
I reflected on how all these people had arrived on foot, walking to this protected nature area for the sole purpose of watching the sun rise.
Just like my musicians, these were no ordinary people! These are Soldiers of the Sun!
They share a passion to witness our Earth’s rolling into the sun on this special day, because they know we live on an amazing planet, rolling around an amazing sun, in an amazing universe.
It was a good way to begin a new year, joined together with those who share a common love for life, sound, and the sun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
