衛武營國家藝術文化中心 National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying)

British organist Wayne MARSHALL joins the Planetesimal Choir for an evening of French and British masterpieces, blending organ and voice. The concert opens with L. VIERNE's Messe solennelle, where organ and chorus create a profound sacred dialogue. British sacred music follows with E. L. BAINTON's And I Saw a New Heaven, H. B. GARDINER's Evening Hymn, and C. H. H. PARRY's I Was Glad.

In the second half, C. M. WIDOR's Messe solennelle fuses organ and chorus powerfully. MARSHALL's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, with jazzy harmonies, reinvigorate traditional sacred music. PARRY's Hear My Words, Ye People elevates the spiritual call, and DEBUSSY's Clair de lune, arranged for choir and organ by LIU Shen-Hsien, offers a peaceful finale. These works weave organ and voices, illuminating the night with spiritual grace.

  Pre-talk  

10/1(Wed)19:00 Pingtung Performing Arts Center Concert Hall

  Program  

L. VIERNE: Messe solennelle in c-sharp minor, Op. 16

E. L. BAINTON: And l saw a New Heaven

H. B. GARDINER: Evening Hymn

C. H. H. PARRY:  I was Glad when they said unto me

C. M.WIDOR: Messe solennelle, Op. 36

Wayne MARSHALL: Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis

C. H. H. PARRY: Hear My Words, Ye People

C. Debussy: Clair de lune (arr. LIU Shen-Hsien for SATB Choir and Organ)

  Creative and Production Team  

Conductor｜LIANG Sheng-kai

Organ｜Wayne MARSHALL

Planetesimal Chorale Ars Spacium

Co-presenter｜Cultural Affairs Department of Pingtung County Government

  Artist Introduction  

Conductor｜LIANG Sheng-kai

LIANG Sheng-kai is a new rising Taiwanese choral conductor. He obtained M.M. degree in Choral conducting at National Sun Yat-sen University, under the mentorship of Dr. WENG Chia-fen. Now he is studing in master degree of Choral conducting at Estonia Academy of Music and Theater. LIANG is able to combine expressive ideas and vocal phrasings that required in singing, with logical principles to make his rehearsal efficient. In addition, His conducting style with sincere feelings and fluent interpretation.

LIANG won the Best Interpretation of a compulsory composition at the Aegis Carminis International Choral Conducting Competition in Slovenia in 2023, and was selected for many International Choral Conducting Competitions, Magister Inside in Italy and Gheorghe Dima in Romania in 2024.

LIANG is adept at dealing with various types of choral music, not only chamber choral works but large-scale repertoire. Since 2012, LIANG participated in many significant projects from Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts and Kaohsiung Spring Arts Festival, including Opera and Choral symphony, as a choral master and choral singer.

Organ｜Wayne MARSHALL

British conductor, organist and pianist, Wayne MARSHALL, is world-renowned for his musicianship and versatility on the podium and at the keyboard. He has served as Chief Conductor of WDR Funkhausorchester, Cologne (2014-20) and Principal Guest Conductor of Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi (2007-13.)

As an organ recitalist, he has an exceptionally varied repertoire and performs across the globe. In recent years, he has gained a significant following on social media. During 2024, he performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Essen Philamonie, Brussels Cathedral and at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the 150th-anniversary celebrations of the Henry Willis organ. He will be performing Organ Recitals at the Royal Festival Hall and Norwich Cathedral in June 2025.

In October 2025, Wayne will be performing a series of concerts at the Weiwuying Organ Festival in Taiwan. He will also give an organ recital in Dudelange, followed immediately by an extensive recital tour in China. In the same month, he will perform and conduct at the Lucerne Festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the KKL Organ. 

His many honours include an Honorary Doctorate from Bournemouth University (2004), a Fellowship of the Royal College of Music (2010) and the Golden Jubilee Award from the Government of Barbados (2016). In 2021 Wayne was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) by Her Majesty Queen ELIZABETH II. In March 2024, Wayne was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Coventry University.

Wayne MARSHALL is proud to be an Ambassador of the London Music Fund, a Charity whose mission it is to support the children of underprivileged communities to have access to high-quality music education. 

  Team Introduction  

Planetesimal Chorale Ars Spacium

A planetesimal is a small yet powerful body in the universe, forming brilliant stars through constant encounters and fusion. Named after this idea, Planetesimal Choir brings together young singers from diverse fields. In the choral cosmos, each voice is a unique planetesimal; through listening and blending, they create a musical landscape that is warm and alive.

Founded in December 2017, Planetesimal Male Choir is one of the few youth-based male choirs in southern Taiwan. Since 2022, the group has expanded to include a female choir and a vocal arts studio, promoting choral culture in Kaohsiung and exploring refined vocal expression. The ensemble performs a wide range of works from classical to contemporary and works closely with emerging composers to broaden the possibilities of vocal music.

In recent years, the choir has received notable recognition: double gold medals at the 2021 Taipei International Choral Competition, a gold prize and category win at the 2022 PENABUR Festival in Indonesia, and gold and silver awards at the 2023 Tokyo International Choir Competition. Planetesimal continues to journey through sound, aspiring to be a gentle yet steady light in the cultural night sky.

  Cultural Development Partner