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李泰祥 Li Tai-hsiang

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Li Tai-hsiang
1941-02-20
Birthplace / Nanjing

Li Tai-hsiang (Chinese: 李泰祥; pinyin: Li Taixiang; February 20, 1941 – January 2, 2014) was a Taiwanese Amis composer and folk songwriter. He was best known for penning a series of popular Mandarin-language pop and folk songs throughout the 1960s and 1970s at the height of the genres' popularity.[1] He also composed many classical works.

One of his best known songs was the 1979 single, "The Olive Tree," which was performed by his protege, singer Chyi Yu.[1] "The Olive Tree", which was based on an English-language poem by Sanmao, was originally written about a small donkey which Sanmao had encountered on a plain in Spain.[1] Li Tai-hsiang had the poem translated to Mandarin by folk singer T.C. Yang, with Sanmao's permission, and wrote the song for Chyi Yu.[1] He omitted with donkey, which he felt would not easily connect with Taiwanese music fans.[1] Chyi Yu has stated in an interview that "Every time I sing this song [The Olive Tree], I'm nervous."[1] Li Tai-hsiang and Chyi Yu also collaborated on a number of her other songs, including "Daylight Avenue," "Walking in the Rain" and "Your Smiling Face."[1]

Li Tai-hsiang, a member of the Amis indigenous Taiwanese aboriginal community, was born in Taitung, Taiwan, on February 20, 1941.[1] Despite the number of hit songs he had written, he never owned a home and lived in rental properties throughout his life.[1] Li was quoted in a 2004 Taiwanese newspaper interview, "I'm a musician. My notes are my landscapes. My heart is full of beauty. I don't need a sofa or refined decor to complement it."[1]

Li suffered from Parkinson's disease for the last 25 years of his life.[1] He died from multiple organ failure at Taipei Tzu Chi General Hospital in Xindian, Taiwan, on January 2, 2014, at the age of 72.[1] His wife had died about five years before his death. He was survived his son and daughter.[1]

 

Li Taixiang

「橄欖樹」交響樂演奏

Source: [「橄欖樹」交響樂演奏]《數位典藏與數位學習聯合目錄》http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/item/00/2f/72/ba.html

Structured Data

李泰祥
0000 0000 4810 7625
Li Taixiang
泰祥哥
composer, folk songwriter
Li Tai-hsiang (Chinese: 李泰祥; pinyin: Li Taixiang; February 20, 1941 – January 2, 2014) was a Taiwanese Amis composer and folk songwriter. A member of the Amis indigenous Taiwanese aboriginal community, he was best known for penning a series of popular Mandarin-language pop and folk songs throughout the 1960s and 1970s at the height of the genres' popularity. He also composed many classical works. One of his best known songs was the 1979 single, "The Olive Tree," which was performed by singer Chyi Yu.
Born: 1941-02-20
Taidong, Taiwan
Died: 2014-01-02
Taipei
Nationality: Taiwanese Amis
Children: Li Ruoling [李若菱]
Alumni of: National Taiwan University of Arts
Colleague of: Chyi Yu
Related To: Taipei Symphony Orchestra
Composer of: The Olive Tree [橄欖樹]
Composer of: 歡顏
Composer of: 你是我所有的回憶
Composer of: 一條日光大道
Award and recognition: National Award for Arts (國家文藝獎), 2008
Award and recognition: 32th National Culture Award (行政院文化獎) 2013

Sources and references

 

© Marcia Lei Zeng for Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures