Tag Archives: Taiwan

Two year anniversary of Concert Blog today!

Bekkers Piano Guitar Duo’s concertblog on wordpress.com began 2 years ago. Time to categorise the topics. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under articles, audience, communication, composer, concert, culture, economics, personality, travel

2010: a year in reflection

Bekkers Piano Guitar Duo traveled and performed in three continents: Europe, Asia, and North America in 2010. Among the highlights were house concerts, concerts in churches, collaboration with other artists, and showing others how to produce concerts. Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under art, audience, composition, concert, culture, economics, exhibition, guitar, piano, planning, recording, rehearsal, travel, venues

Holiday greetings: by skype

Skype chats or skyping allows a two-way conversation online, for free, and the chance to catch up during the holidays. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under communication, travel

Review: the Real Taiwan and the Dutch

I had always believed that Taiwan was a hotbed of taste explosions, a dense concentration of cuisines from all provinces of China and the best in Asia. I knew the Dutch had some influence in Taiwan, mainly from the golden age of the 17th century when the VOC (Dutch East India Company) had explored the far reaches of Asia. Thus it was both a surprise and a treat to receive the new book “The Real Taiwan and the Dutch” by the former Netherlands Representative Menno Goedhart and American travel writer Cheryl Robbins. Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under concert, food, review, travel

Completing the trio: music, barbecue, and acrobatics

I called it “Completing the trio.” I just needed a violinist to complete my duo with French horn and my duo with cellist. The Dutch violinist who opened the music gates for us in Taiwan was returning to the Netherlands for a short vacation. I decided to make an event of it. Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under audience, composition, culture, rehearsal, sight reading, travel

Introducing the Netherlands to Tatong Rotary Club in Taichung, Taiwan

Perhaps I was indulgent, for I wanted to play the piano for my father. He had not heard me play since 2002. When I asked what he wanted, he said that he wanted to see me give a speech. The Tatong Rotary Club granted both wishes. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under travel, venues

Duo rehearsal with string quartet in Taipei

One definite highlight of our trip to Taiwan in April 2010 was meeting and playing with a Dutch/Taiwanese string quartet. I’m not sure they have a name yet, but they certainly have a purpose.

Their purpose is to get together on a regular basis to make music and have fun. Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under composition, instrument, rehearsal, sight reading, travel

Bekkers Duo at Taipei Rotary Club

As a Rotarian, I was curious about other Rotary Clubs and in particular those that had substantial fundraising experience. I googled and found the first Rotary Club in Taiwan. I was amazed at their range of activities and online documentation. It seemed like a very interesting club to visit. Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under audience, travel, venues

From caricature to watercolour

My sister, Frances Ku, became famous in Taiwan for her political cartoons. Since moving to Hawaii, she has reinvented herself as a watercolour artist and lately the pioneer of “Creative Healing” workshops. One day I hope to organise a joint concert and exhibition with Frances. Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under concert, exhibition, personality, travel

Recording our first CD (part 4: release)

The CD printers and pressers in Woerden had promised that the work would take just one week. Naively I expected to see a stack of plastic wrapped CDs upon my return this past week.

The CDs were nowhere in sight. Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under composer, concert, recording, venues