14 發光的城市 A R O U N D T O W N FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2008 • TIMES

unther Herbig is an ideal rein in Bruckner’s tendency to prolixity Despite conductor for the majestic and diffuseness, and shape the parts the recent G symphonies of Anton Bruckner. into the architecture of a titanic, success of his Back in Taipei from his home in visionary whole. eponymous Michigan, Herbig will tonight conduct The Bruckner symphony, well over album, Jam the National Symphony Orchestra in an hour long, occupies the second half Hsiao is still the Austrian master’s by turns serene, of tonight’s program. The first half is a bargain- resonant, spiritual, free-ranging, but taken up with the Toru Takemitsu’s hunter. above all spacious Symphony No.8 in Requiem, his first work for concert photo: Taipei Times the National Concert Hall. It should be performance, written in 1957. a memorable occasion. Takemitsu was Japan’s most Bruckner’s self-doubting, naive, famous 20th-century composer. He aiwan’s top super- but heart-on-the-sleeve approach to an was enormously productive, writing T model Lin Chi-ling (林 orchestral form that had by the 1890s the scores for 93 films (including 志玲) has the media abuzz over a international tour planned for next already chalked up masterpieces by such classics as Hiroshi Teshigahara’s rumored engagement to Scott Qiu year, are not rushing into any deals Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Woman in the Dunes and Akira (邱士楷), the son of a toilet magnate. at the moment, saying that “there are Brahms, Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Kurosawa’s Ran) and incorporating The rumor emerged when Lin was many things to consider.” Mendelssohn and others had its elements from jazz and American spotted at an awards ceremony last Chthonic’s lead singer, Freddy mockers at first, and even today popular music, of which he had month sporting a diamond ring, Lim (林昶佐), has chimed in about musicians can be found who admit an encyclopedic knowledge, into reports the Liberty Times (the Guns N’ Roses’ provocatively titled to coming late to an admiration of works that on the surface had more Taipei Times’ sister paper). new album, Chinese Democracy, the self-taught Catholic recluse. in common with the European Lin’s mother, Wu Tzi-mei (吳慈 which has been officially banned in Nevertheless these expansive, avant-garde. 美), emphatically denied the reports, China. In an interview with Reuters, rhapsodic works have attracted Much of Requiem, for string even though Qiu has made numerous Lin said, “I think Guns N’ Roses’ some of the world’s most celebrated instruments only, is soaring and appearances with Lin in public, new album shows the true rock conductors, and the Eighth is without yearning and far from abstruse, including a late-evening hot pot date. spirit of the rock artist, of the rock doubt one of the greatest of them. however. A short clip can he heard This isn’t the first time marriage culture, because we have to speak It was Brahms who first mockingly on YouTube at www.youtube. rumors have surfaced for Lin, whose out loud our beliefs and our faith. called them “boa-constrictor com/watch?v=1QwZwYJe92o. past romances are said to include If we believe in democracy, we symphonies.” But this is not entirely Tonight’s concert begins at 7pm, Chinese billionaire Yang Linchuan believe in freedom, we should just a condemnation. They do indeed coil not the more usual 7.30pm. Don’t be (楊林川) and singer Jerry Yan (言承旭). speak out loud. Guns N’ Roses has inexorably round you, then squeeze late — if you are you can guarantee The public obsession with Cape made a perfect example.” you, though possibly not to death, the sleek attendants at the National No. 7 (海角七號) continues, but the And as the belts tighten with in gigantic climaxes that resemble Concert Hall won’t let you in until the attention has backfired slightly for the global recession, Pop Stop muscular spasms. But this can be a interval. Why they can’t quietly admit the homegrown box office hit’s lead concludes this week with a look at thrilling experience, though possibly latecomers to the back of the upper actor, Van Fan (范逸臣). The Amis pop how a few performers are faring in not one that the chaste Brahms, level, as is the custom in some other singer has been slapped with some these challenging times. genius that he is, was entirely auditoriums, I’ve never been able to unwelcome comparisons this week William So (蘇永康) might have disposed to appreciate. understand. — BRADLEY WINTERTON to Hong Kong singer-actor Edison to think about moving to smaller The reason Herbig is so suited to Chen (陳冠希) on Internet discussion venues. The Hong Kong pop singer this music is that he is a Romantic boards, reports the Liberty Times. filled about 3,000 seats at the at heart, and Bruckner’s symphonies Performance notes: No, Van Fan hasn’t been filming his National University Sports are among the outlying peaks at the sexual exploits with fellow celebri- Center (台大綜合體育館) last week end of the great mountain range that What: Gunther Herbig conducts ties, but has been accused of pla- — just over half of the stadium’s was Romanticism. They may almost the National Symphony Orchestra in giarism: on a poster promoting one capacity. Bruckner’s totter under their own weight, but Takemitsu and Bruckner of his upcoming concerts, Van Fan “Reality” show pop idol Jam their combination of nobility, lyricism Where: National Concert Hall, strikes a pose that resembles a past Hsiao (蕭敬騰) has no qualms about and sheer ambition makes them high Taipei City jeans advertisement featuring Chen. footing a NT$600,000 dental bill summits indeed. When: Tonight at 7pm Van Fan’s label, Forward Music for his brother and sister, says a monumental Herbig has always been a proponent Tickets: NT$400 to NT$2,000; call (豐華唱片), says any similarities Liberty Times report, but as for of the great 19th-century classics as (02) 3393 9888 for details are a complete coincidence, and himself? According to Hsiao’s opposed to their often short-lived that the photo on the poster was manager, he constantly compares modernist successors. But he is also an Gunther Herbig, left, knows how to handle Bruckner. chosen out of several thousand from prices for tissues and in shopping austere conductor with the power to photo courtesy of Teng Hui-En a recent shoot. The accusations for a piano, his first stop was a Eighth are unlikely to faze Van Fan, second-hand shop. On his own who was once rumored to be a dentist visits, the pop crooner possible replacement for Chen travels the extra distance just to in the upcoming film Jump (跳出 save NT$7 in processing fees. Eco activists grab the ‘rhinoceros’ by the horn 去). The film, which is being co- For her show last week at the produced by Columbia Pictures and Taipei Arena (台北小巨蛋), singer emonic possession, typhoid, Taiwan to reduce carbon emissions. Stephen Chow’s (周星馳) company and actress Rene Liu (劉若英) spent D infantile convulsions and The march begins at 1:30pm at Star Overseas, axed the Hong Kong NT$2 million on six different impotence. These are some of the Taiwan Democracy Hall’s Liberty actor’s scenes following his “sex costumes (which didn’t reveal ailments traditional Chinese medical Square (自由廣場) and will proceed photo scandal.” Van Fan’s agent much more than her shoulders, to practitioners in Taiwan and China first to the Presidential Office and denies any knowledge of a potential the disappointment of the Liberty believed ground rhinoceros horn could then to Da-an Forest Park (大安森 role, however, and says the singer is Times’ concert reviewer). And that cure, which helped push the animal to 林公園), where a music concert is sticking to concerts this month. figure doesn’t appear to include the the brink of extinction in the 1980s. scheduled to start at 3pm. Meanwhile, death metal band five Austin Minis that circled the At the time, Taiwanese officials “Civil society has done a lot to cut Chthonic (閃靈) continues to enjoy stadium for one of her songs. and doctors ignored calls from the carbon emissions,” he said. “But we international attention after its tour And (蔡依林) will international community to ban still think that the government should of Europe and the US last year. still be laughing all the way to the sale of rhinoceros horns, using do more with their policy.” The group says that it is now being the bank. According to the Apple as an excuse the fact that Taiwan Taiwan’s Environmental Protection courted by record labels Daily, the pop starlet is reportedly wasn’t a member of the international Agency, meanwhile, has sent a in Finland, the US, the UK ready to sign a deal with organization calling for its prohibition. delegation to Poznan, Poland, to take and Germany to release Warner Music that would For Calvin Wen (溫炳原), a member part in an intergovernmental meeting its upcoming album, exceed the value of her of Green Party Taiwan’s central for drawing up a new agreement to Mirror of Retribution, previous two-year contract executive committee, the above reduce global warming to succeed the with the highest offer with EMI, which was a cool example is useful as an analogy when Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. totaling tens of millions NT$120 million. discussing climate change. Wen, however, remains skeptical. of NT dollars. But  — Compiled by David Chen “Most of global society has a target He cites a litany of examples that Taiwan’s renowned [to reduce climate change]. Because illustrate how the government headbangers, who Van Fan seems to be riding on Edison Taiwan is not a UN member it is very puts business interests before the Tomorrow’s march to reduce climate change begins at Liberty Square and will proceed to Da-an Forest have another Chen’s coattails. Photo: Taipei Times common for government officials and environment, with the Suhua Highway Park for a music concert. Photo courtesy of Green Party Taiwan even some scholars to say they don’t project, Formosa Plastics steel plant have to take any measures to reduce and, most recently, the consumer NOV. 21 to Nov. 27 [carbon] emissions,” he said. voucher scheme being the most Top Five Mandarin AlbumS Taiwan’s refusal to eliminate the glaring examples. CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH POLICY PLATFORM Mayday (五月天) and Poetry of the Day After (後青春期的詩) importation of rhinoceros horns led “They could have at least 1 with 49.22 percent of sales the Clinton administration to impose encouraged green consumption,” he 1. Impose carbon taxes immediately and cut income tax sanctions on Taiwan — the first time said of the vouchers. Jing Huang (黃靖倫) and Jing-Jing’s Note the US had used trade sanctions to The Climate Change, Taiwan Cares 2. Taiwan is not short of energy. Nuclear power is not the answer to climate change 2 (倫語錄) with 3.89% protect the environment. Wen fears march and festival (對抗地球暖化－台 that if Taiwan’s business and political 灣行動) begins tomorrow at 1:30pm 3. Roads for bicycles. No more new highways Judy Chiang (江蕙) and Jia Ni Lan Lao Lao leaders don’t act to reduce the island’s at Taiwan Democracy Hall’s Liberty 3 (甲你攬牢牢) with 2.74% carbon emissions, a similar scenario Square (自由廣場) and will proceed first 4. Eat with love for the Earth. Localize the economy might play out. to the Presidential Office and then 大安森林公園 Original sound track from Cape No. 7 (海角七號) with 2.91% A group of civic organizations to Da-an Forest Park ( ) 5. Stop giving Taiwan’s national assets to corporate thieves 4 including the Green Party are where a concert will be held. For more organizing a march and festival information, visit tw-climatecampaign. source: Calvin Wen, Green Party Taiwan Jessie Chiang (江語晨) with Teruterubozu (晴天娃娃) with 2.05% 5 tomorrow to highlight the need for blogspot.com. — Noah Buchan

Album chart compiled from G-Music (www.g-music.com.tw), based on retail sales

[ EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

the Performance Hall of the Bureau of that makes matches. The girl befriends Taichung’s Point 22 (.22), which Cultural Affairs, Hsinchu City (新竹市文 a little boy and together they discover plays “trash-can funk with some Classical music 化局演藝廳), 17, Tungta Rd Sec 2, that the matches are alive. One night, humorous punk,” one-man hip-hop NSO Meet the Master — Hsinchu City (新竹市東大路二段17號) Highlight a disaster threatens the lives of both act Dr Reniculous Lipz, who is Heavenly Symphony (NSO 遇 Tickets are NT$200 to NT$1,000, Up for a little slap and tickle this weekend? Dr Reniculous children and their match friends. celebrating the release of his new CD 見大師系列 — 天國的音海) brings available through NTCH ticketing Lipz and the Scallyunz are having a release party for their Nadou Theater (納豆劇場), 79 Xining [see Highlight] and funk rockers New conductor Gunther Herbig, a protege first CD,Journey to the East, at VU tomorrow with guests N Rd, Taipei City (台北市西寧北路79號) Hong Kong Hair City. of Herbert von Karajan, to conduct Concerto de Los Angeles (天使の Point 22 (.22) and New Hong Kong Hair City. Both Dr Lipz Tomorrow at 3pm B1, 77, Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City the National Symphony Orchestra in 協奏曲首演) is a concert featuring guitar and the members of .22 have naughty lyrics that could be Tickets are NT$200, available through (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). Call (02) a program featuring two powerful virtuosos from Japan, South Korea and misinterpreted if you don’t listen carefully for the tongue- NTCH ticketing 2314-1868 for more information works: Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8 in C Taiwan with Shingo Fujii conducting. in-cheek (and other places) aspect to their message. They Tomorrow at 11pm Minor and Toru Takemitsu’s Requiem. The performers include Shinichi aren’t bad boys, they just sing that way. Lipz is a whiz National Guo Guang Opera Company NT$250 entrance includes one drink 劉士堉 國立國光劇團 [See story above.] Fukuda, Liu Shih-yu ( ), Kim Yong- with words, and .22 are veteran performers who put on a Dr Reniculous Lipz, right, mugs for the camera with Daddy Phat ( ) revises its Journey Today at 7:30pm tae and Yasuji Ohagi. The program silly show with serious talent. Through Hell (閻羅夢．天地一 Tonight The Wall hosts garage-rock Saks of the Scallyunz. Courtesy of Dr Reniculous Lipz National Concert Hall, Taipei City includes arrangements for guitar duets It’s an interesting lineup: hip-hop from the Doctor, a 秀才), a Beijing Opera based on the band Rabbit Is Rich (兔子很有錢), Tickets are NT$400 to NT$2,000, and trios of works by Rossini, De Falle, shot of alt-country and psychedelic rock from .22 and New Hong Kong Hair City classic Chinese novel of the same opening for Southern Taiwan punks available through NTCH ticketing Toru Takemitsu and Shingo Fujii’s own hair-curling rock-based funk with heavy metal saxophone Tomorrow from 10pm until late at VU Livehouse, B1, 77, name written by Chen Yaxian (陳亞 Fire Ex (滅火器). Tomorrow is an Concerto de Los Angeles for Solo and from Hair City Wuchang St Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市武昌街二段77號B1). 先). Guo Guang’s Wang An-chi (王 ear-piercing showcase of metal with a Brilliant Pipe — Paul Meyer & Guitar Orchestra. See this Monday’s Taipei Times for a full story and surreal Call (02 ) 2314-1868 for more information 安祈) transforms the original work lineup that includes Triple Six (666), TSO (炫麗燦爛的笛音 — 單簧管大 Sunday at 2:30pm interview with Dr Lipz (aka Nick Sylvester) himself Tickets are NT$250, which includes a drink and a CD into a sumptuous performance Dizzy Butterfly (旋轉蝴蝶) and NMR. 師保羅•梅耶與北市交) sees French National Concert Hall, Taipei City Dr Reniculous Lipz and the Scallyunz Journey to the East On the Net: www.drlipz.com/index.html that emphasizes the philosophical Nu-rock and nu-metal are the sounds clarinetist Paul Meyer perform with the Tickets are NT$400 to NT$1,200, “seedy” CD release party with guests Point 22 (.22) and On Facebook: Journey to the East (under “events”) underpinnings of the original. on Sunday with Poguang Shefan Taipei Symphony Orchestra (台��北市 available through NTCH ticketing Tainan Municipal Cultural Center (波光折返), Undersoul, Sideffect 立交響樂團) under the baton of guest (台南市立文化中心), 332, Chunghua E and Beright. conductor Heiko Mathias Forster. The the killer’s identity. This weekend’s Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm Rd Sec 3, Tainan City (台南市中華東路 B1, 200, Roosevelt Rd Sec 4, Taipei program will include Richard Strauss’ performances feature the first two Century Contemporary Dance and tomorrow and Sunday at 2:30pm 三段332號). City (台北市羅斯福路四段200號B1). Call Don Juan, Op.20 and Suite from “Der Theater episodes from the six-episode series. Company (世紀當代舞團) uses dance Tickets are NT$500, available through Tomorrow at 2:30pm (02) 2930-0162 or visit www.the-wall. Rosenkavalier” Op.59 and Spohr’s The president’s daughter is cast in the Tainan Human Theater Factory (台南 to investigate the experiences and NTCH ticketing Tickets are NT$300 to NT$1,000, com.tw for more information Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra No.4 role of Juliet in Tainaner Ensemble’s 人戲工場), 3F, 85 Shengli Rd, Tainan dreams of three generations of available through NTCH ticketing Starts at 8pm tonight, tomorrow and in E Minor and Concerto for Clarinet and (台南人劇團) humorous play within a City (台南市勝利路85號3F) Taiwanese in 20, 30, 40’s Dream The Little Matches Girl (賣番仔火 Sunday Orchestra No.2 in E Flat Major. play K24 (Chaos). The K24 Bureau of Today and tomorrow at 7:30pm and Fantasy (20.30.40之夢的進行曲). 的小女孩) by Taiyuan Puppet Theater NT400 tonight; NT$500, NT$666 or Tomorrow at 7:30pm (Taipei) and Investigation discovers that an attempt tomorrow at 2:30pm [See story on Page 15.] Company (台原偶戲團), tells the story NT$1,000 tomorrow (for more info visit Sunday at 2:30pm (Hsinchu) will be made on the first daughter’s life Tickets are NT$400, available through National Experimental Theater, of a greedy grandmother who forces Contemporary www.rockclub.com.tw); and NT$300 National Concert Hall, Taipei City and on opening night and tries to uncover NTCH ticketing Taipei City her granddaughter to work in a factory Tomorrow at VU Live House it’s on Sunday