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Zhen Ming Hsu was a Taiwanese composer who was born on December 25, 1923, in Taipei, Taiwan. He was the youngest of six children in his family. His father was a businessman, and his mother was a homemaker. Hsu showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He was a prodigious talent and quickly became proficient in playing the instrument. Hsu's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. He began studying music theory and composition with local teachers and soon became known for his ability to write beautiful melodies. In 1941, Hsu enrolled in the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, where he studied composition with Tomojirō Ikenouchi. During his time in Tokyo, Hsu was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including Western classical music, Japanese traditional music, and Chinese folk music. He was particularly interested in the music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, whose impressionistic style had a profound influence on his own compositions. After graduating from the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music in 1946, Hsu returned to Taiwan and began working as a composer and music teacher. He quickly established himself as one of the leading composers in Taiwan and was known for his ability to blend traditional Chinese music with Western classical music. Hsu's early compositions were heavily influenced by the music of Debussy and Ravel, but he soon developed his own unique style. His music was characterized by its lush harmonies, delicate textures, and evocative melodies. He often used traditional Chinese instruments, such as the erhu and guzheng, in his compositions, giving his music a distinctly Taiwanese flavor. One of Hsu's most famous works is his "Taiwanese Suite," which was composed in 1955. The suite consists of four movements, each of which is based on a traditional Taiwanese folk song. The first movement, "The Moon Over the Mountain," is a hauntingly beautiful piece that features the erhu and guzheng. The second movement, "The Fisherman's Song," is a lively and energetic piece that captures the spirit of the Taiwanese fishing villages. The third movement, "The Bamboo Flute," is a delicate and introspective piece that features the flute and harp. The final movement, "The Harvest Song," is a joyous and celebratory piece that features the entire orchestra. Another one of Hsu's notable works is his "Concerto for Erhu and Orchestra," which was composed in 1963. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument that is similar to a violin. The piece is characterized by its soaring melodies and intricate rhythms, and it has become a staple of the erhu repertoire. Hsu continued to compose music throughout his life, and his later works were often more experimental and avant-garde. He was particularly interested in electronic music and began incorporating electronic sounds into his compositions in the 1970s. Hsu's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1983, he was awarded the National Award for Arts in Taiwan, and in 1995, he was awarded the Order of Brilliant Star by the Taiwanese government. He also received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. Zhen Ming Hsu passed away on December 16, 1997, at the age of 73.

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