Xiao Shuxian

Full biography Xiao Shuxian

Xiao Shuxian was a Taiwanese composer and music educator who made significant contributions to the contemporary classical music scene in Taiwan. Born in 1933, he attended Taipei National University of the Arts and later studied music education at Columbia University in the United States.

After returning to Taiwan, Shuxian became a professor at the National Taipei University of Education, where he taught music composition and theory and mentored a new generation of Taiwanese composers. In addition to teaching, he was also an active composer, producing works that reflected his unique musical style and cultural heritage.

Shuxian's music was heavily influenced by his traditional Taiwanese roots, incorporating elements of folk music and indigenous melodies into his compositions. He was known for his use of unconventional and experimental techniques, often blurring the boundaries between different musical genres and styles.

Throughout his career, Shuxian received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to Taiwanese music, including the National Cultural and Arts Award presented by the Ministry of Culture in 2015. He continued to compose and inspire new generations of musicians until his passing in 2017.

Today, Xiao Shuxian is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of Taiwanese music, with his works constantly performed and studied by musicians around the world. His legacy continues to shape the contemporary classical music landscape in Taiwan and beyond.