A Pedagogical Introduction To the Piano Works of Tyzen Hsiao

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the piano works, and their pedagogy, of Tyzen Hsiao, one of the most important composers in Taiwan. Hsiao received his early musical training in Taiwan and Japan and continued his studies in the United States. Mr. Hsiao's musical style is strongly influenced by Romanticism and early twentieth-century music, such as music by Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Bartok. It is also includes Taiwanese folk tunes. His music has been recognized nationally and internationally. Mr. Hsiao writes for many different instruments, including piano, strings, woodwinds and full orchestra. Most of his compositions, however, are for chorus. His compositional style and musical character has been discussed in several major musical magazines in Taiwan and in the United States. In this paper, two of his piano pieces will be analyzed from a pedagogical viewpoint. This discussion is based on the piano works, Memories of Home, op.49 and The Angel from Formosa. The title Memories of Home suggests Mr. Hsiao's memories of Taiwan. It is a collection of six short pieces; each piece carries a title, suggesting the character of the piece. The Angel from Formosa begins with a four-measure slow introduction which is followed by a nine-measure theme. This theme appears throughout the entire piece and is re-harmonized each time it reappears. In this paper, I will discuss the background of the both pieces, stylistic influences, form and structure, Taiwanese folk-song elements and pedagogical points.