Tyzen Hsiao 蕭泰然 - Ancient Taiwanese Melody 台灣清明古調 (piano) 「In Memory of

This piece is from Tyzen Hsiao's broader work Memories of Home, Op. 49 家園的回憶.

[@waynepiano]

Hello everyone - Having family who lived through a period of martial law in Taiwan from 1947 to 1987 and were directly affected, it is always a difficult moment when we mark the anniversary of the February 28 Incident each year. It is a sad reminder for many who had lost their family members and friends to senseless, unnecessary violence. As much as I strive to write in neutral language with all my posts, there are certain aspects of history that are just too damning for the substance to be appalling in itself. Beginning on February 28, 1947 in response to wide protests throughout Taiwan for better governance, the Republic of China government (at the time headed by the Kuomintang in a one-party system) launched a campaign of suppression in indiscriminately killing thousands or tens of thousands of civilians throughout Taiwan and persecuting many more during the subsequent establishment of martial law until 1987. This systematic oppression began two years after the end of World War II when Japan (Taiwan’s previous colonial ruler) renounced its claim and control over the island. I dedicate my very first project with my new Yamaha keyboard in memory of all those who lost their lives in 228 or were persecuted over the martial law period. This is my unedited recording of Ancient Taiwanese Melody by Tyzen Hsiao from his Memories of Home, Op. 49. Taiwan’s nowadays vibrancy in multi-party democracy and freedom (why I love to visit every year) is a result of all persistent political and social efforts from past generations to resist authoritarian rule and envision a better future of a government of the people, by the people, for the people.