Chen Su-Ti

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Chen Su-Ti
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Born(1911 -04-14)April 14, 1911
Sanjiaopu, Taipei
Died(1992-09-23)September 23, 1992
Occupation
  • Composer
  • Pianist
  • Pastor
  • Educator

Chen Su-Ti (April 14, 1911 – September 23, 1992) was a composer, pianist, pastor, and educator from Shilin, Taipei. His works combine the pentatonic scale with the chromatic scale of the European Romantic period. Some of his most important piano works were included in Maurice Hinson’s Guide to the Pianist’s Repertoire (1979) and were held in the same high regard as those Western masters like Beethoven and Chopin. Lu Chuan-Sheng praised him as “The Great Man.”[1][2][3]

Early life

Chen Su-Ti was born on April 14, 1911, in Sanjiaopu, Taipei. His father, Chen Ying-Lin, was a cultivated talent (Hsiutsai) during the Qing Dynasty.[4] In 1917, Chen Su-Ti was enrolled in Shezi Common School (an elementary school in Japanese Colonial Taiwan period). Later, he attended high school in Xiamen with his family, but he missed his homeland so much that he returned to Taiwan and enrolled in Tamsui Middle School in 1923.[5] In 1924, he began studying piano and Western classical music under Margaret Mellis Gauld, also known as the “Mother of Church Music in Taiwan.”[6] Chen then joined the Glee Club, the first male choir in Taiwan, which was established and led by Chen Ching-Chung, also known as the “Father of Rugby in Taiwan.”[7] The choir had extensive experience in touring.[8]

Baptism and theological training

In 1928, Chen Su-Ti completed his studies at Tamsui Middle School.[9] Chen was baptized in the Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church by Pastor Zhang Jin-Bo in 1929.[5] He enrolled in a four-year program at the Taipei Theological College and Seminary (now known as Taiwan Theological College and Seminary) in 1930 and studied piano under Canadian missionary Isabel Taylor.[10]

After graduating from the Seminary in 1934, Chen visited Japan and attended Japan Theological Seminary (later renamed Tokyo Union Theological Seminary) in April.[11] He studied composition and harmony under Professor at Ueno Music School (later renamed Tokyo University of the Arts), and voice and conducting under . Chen also made friends with other music enthusiasts, including Jiang Wen-Ye.[12]

During Chen Su-Ti studied in Japan, he attended some musical activities held by Taiwanese students, such as the “Hometown Visit Music Tour” proposed by Yang Chao-Chia at the first executive meeting of the Taiwan Association in Tokyo.[13] Yang then became the leader and general organizer of the group. Kao Tien-Cheng served as the host for the program’s introduction, while Hsiao Tsai-Hsing acted as the concert’s emcee. Chen Su-Ti provided accompaniment, and other Taiwanese musicians, including Jiang Wen-Ye, Kao Tzu-Mei, Ke Ming-Chu, Gao Yue-Na, Lin Cheng-Mu, Lin Qiu-Jin, Lin Chin-Sheng, Weng Jung-Mao, and Li Chin-Tu, joined the event. The tour was conducted throughout the island. From August 11th to 19th, 1934, the “Hometown-visit Music Concert” was held in seven different cities, with the debut taking place in the auditorium of the Taipei Medical Professional School (later renamed National Taiwan University College of Medicine) under the administration of the Taiwan Soutokufu on the evening of August 11th. This large-scale music tour is the first fruitful achievement in promoting Western music in Taiwan.[12][14][15]

In the serene backdrop of the Izu Peninsula in 1936, Chen Su-Ti crafted his pioneering piece, “The Lamb of God,” setting a milestone as Taiwan’s inaugural sacred choral masterpiece.[16] Fast forward to 1942, the ethereal melodies of “The Lamb of God” echoed through the grandeur of the Taipei City Public Auditorium (now Zhongshan Hall). Under Chen Su-Ti’s meticulous baton, the Three-in-One Trinity Choir—an ensemble drawing talents from Shuanglian, Bangka, and Dadaocheng churches—delivered an evocative performance. That same year, the dulcet tones of Lu Chuan-Sheng graced the airwaves of Taiwan Hōsō Kyōkai (JFAK), accompanied by Chen’s adept playing.[17] Barely a year later, the mesmerizing strains of “The Lamb of God” resonated again, this time within the sanctified walls of Taishō Church (now known as Zhongshan Christian Presbyterian Church). With Lu Chuan-Sheng leading as the solo vocalist, the performance captured the hearts of a predominantly Japanese audience, garnering resounding accolades.[18]

In 1937, having completed his studies, Chen Su-Ti returned to Taiwan. Soon after, he tied the knot with Liu Tammui, the esteemed Pastor Liu A-Xiu’s second daughter. Subsequently, Chen committed himself as a missionary at the Shilin Presbyterian Church, a role he revered until 1946.[5] Throughout this era, Chen’s dedication to music remained undiminished. In 1939, he penned the groundbreaking piano suite “Taiwan Sketches” in honor of his mentor, Miss Isabel Taylor, marking it the first of its kind in Taiwan.[10] By 1946, he had graced the Taiwan Cultural Advancement Association with his expertise, serving on its music committee. The Ministry of Education also entrusted him with creating the “Taiwan Restoration Memorial Song.”[3] Around 1939, Chen joined hands with Shilin’s luminaries, including Kuo Hsiu-Tsung, Tsao Yung-He, and Ho Pin to found the Shilin Association to foster cultural appreciation. However, the political tumult and prevailing climate of repression cast a shadow, leading to the association’s eventual disbandment.[2] Anticipating the ominous winds of the 228 Incident, which took place in 1947, Chen relocated his family to the tranquil shores of Tamsui.[5]

Faith, education, and music career

After moving to Tamsui, Chen Su-Ti taught in Chun-deh Girls’ High School and then became the principal in 1952.[9] Since 1956, he had served for 25 years as the principal of Tamkang Senior High School, formed by the merger of Chun-deh Girls’ High School and Tamsui Middle School.[11] In 1967, he was appointed as a special pastor during his tenure as principal at Tamkang Senior High School.[5]

Chen Su-Ti kept his music career during his time in Tamsui. For example, he studied composition for a year under Professor Oskar Morawetz at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada in 1957. A year later, he was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Headquarter to compose psalms with Isabel Taylor and other church musicians. The following years, Chen completed his piano works, “Etude in D-flat Major,” “Dragon Dance,” “Deep Valley–Amis Rhapsody,” “Ten Preludes─Playful Keyboard,” and piano trio “Divertimento,” and chorus “For God so Loved the World,” “Praise the Lord for His Great Blessings,” and “The Centennial Hymn for the Christian Mission in Taiwan.”[8][16][19]

Retirement and Death

On January 23, 1981, Chen Su-Ti retired from Tamkang Senior High School and moved to the United States.[16] In 1990, Chen Su-Ti founded the “Orange County Christian Fellowship” in Anaheim, California.[19] Chen Su-Ti died on September 23, 1992 and was buried in Orange County, California on September 27.[8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Hinson, Maurice; Roberts, Wesley (2013-12-03). Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire, Fourth Edition. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253010230.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 蔣理容 (2016-12-16). "完美人格者! 集演奏、作曲與教育者於一身的淡中校長陳泗治". 民報. Archived from the original on 2018-11-11.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 卓甫見 (2002). 《陳泗治──鍵盤上的遊戲》 (in 中文). 時報出版. ISBN 9570126779.
  4. ↑ 林宜瑩 (2022-08-19). "陳泗治逝世30週年紀念音樂會 緬懷台灣音樂先驅". 台灣教會公報. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 徐玫玲 (2022). 《上帝與家園的浪漫：陳泗治逝世三十周年紀念專刊》 (in 中文). 國立傳統藝術中心. ISBN 9789865327705.
  6. ↑ 林熙皓 (2006-10-10). "全方位牧師娘——吳威廉牧師娘". 新使者雜誌. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  7. ↑ 劉清虔 (1999-08-10). "〈台灣橄欖球之父、合唱之父－陳清忠長老〉". 新使者 (53): 27–30. doi:10.29949/TNM.199908.0007.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 陳冠州 (2002-08-10). "〈台灣音樂教育家前淡江中學校長－陳泗治牧師〉". 新使者. 71 (71): 34-37. doi:10.29949/TNM.200208.0009.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 郭麗娟 (2011-11-24). "陳泗治". 臺灣大百科全書. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 顏綠芬, ed. (2013). 《臺灣音樂憶像 : 典藏作曲家陳泗治、張昊、郭芝苑音樂專刊》 (in 中文). 臺灣音樂館. p. 33. ISBN 978-986-03-9555-6.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 卓甫見 (2001). 《臺灣音樂哲人 : 陳泗治》 (in 中文). 臺北市: 望春風文化. ISBN 9573045737.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 國立傳統藝術中心 臺灣音樂館. "陳泗治-生平". 臺灣音樂群像資料庫. Archived from the original on 2022-12-28. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  13. ↑ "鄉土音樂訪問團". 國家文化記憶庫. 2003-06-01. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  14. ↑ 莊永明 (1995). 《台灣第一》 (in 中文). 時報文化. ISBN 9571315680.
  15. ↑ 莊永明 (1989). 《台灣紀事》 (in 中文). 時報出版. ISBN 9789571300245.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 蔣理容 (2016-01-26). "【人物】出世情懷入世的愛─音樂家陳泗治". 民報. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2017-03-13.
  17. ↑ "傳頌音樂與愛的詩篇──陳泗治". 臺灣記得你. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  18. ↑ 陳郁秀、孫芝君 (2005). 《呂泉生的音樂人生》 (in 中文). 遠流. p. 306. ISBN 9789573256397.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 徐玫玲 (1996-11-10). "感懷陳泗治牧師（1911-1992）". 台灣敎會公報. Archived from the original on 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-13.

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