Mozart Sonatas

In 1778, during his stay in Paris, Mozart completed six violin and piano sonatas (K.301–K.306), later known as the “Paris Sonatas.” In these works, the violin and piano converse as equals, with music full of youthful brilliance, lyrical subtlety, and the elegance characteristic of his Paris period. These sonatas are not only milestones in Mozart’s creative journey but also vivid reflections of “finding oneself in a foreign land.”

For violinist Ko Hsu, performing this set of works is the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream. Before the pandemic, he had hoped to present the complete cycle, but global events forced an unexpected delay. Years later, beginning anew in a different country, this wish finally comes true. His journey resonates with Mozart’s own experience, moving from Mannheim to Paris, leaving behind the familiar, carrying music, and forging a path in a new land.

This concert is not only a tribute to Mozart but also a personal reflection of life’s journey. Through these six sonatas, Ko Hsu wishes to share with the audience not only the beauty of the music itself but also the courage, patience, and renewal it embodies.

Violin: Ko Hsu

Piano: Cai Wei Chen

Organizer: Music Star Christchurch

Instrument Sponsors: GFC Foundation Limited, Woodyish Violins & Bows

Inquiries: mmusicstarnz@gmail.com

Website: https://musicstarnz.weebly.com

Violinist Ko Hsu

Violinist Ko Hsu graduated from the Graduate Institute of Piano Collaboration and Chamber Music at the National Tainan University of the Arts, majoring in violin and chamber music performance. He studied under distinguished teachers including Chen Wei-Tsung, Chen Yu-Wen, Hung Chien-Fu, Huang Yu-Feng, and Chou Yu-Chih, and further pursued advanced studies with three Russian violinists: Elena Panko, Natalia Yukhina, and Farid Gazizov. During his studies, he also received guidance from renowned violinists such as Yu Jing, Blair Milton, Clare Takarabe, Huang Bin, Hu Nai-Yuan, Fu Shi-Ming, and Zeng Geng-Yuan. In chamber music, he trained under Zhang Rui-Zhou, Wu Ji-Zhen, Audrey Axinn, Wang Pei-Yao, Zheng Jun-Teng, and Lin De-En, cultivating a versatile and richly expressive musical style.

In addition to his performance achievements, Ko Hsu has demonstrated outstanding artistic management abilities. During his university years, he was invited by the Tainan-based chamber music organization Yue Tu Art Ensemble to serve as producer, contributing to the planning and production of the 2017 and 2018 Tainan Arts Festival series “International Classics” and “Exquisite Taiwan,” as well as numerous concerts featuring renowned national and international musicians.

Currently based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Ko Hsu is a violin instructor at Music Star, actively engaged in music education and performance, and serves as the founder and artistic director of the YuKo Ensemble.

Pianist Cai Wei Chen

Pianist Cai Wei Chen holds a Master’s degree in Music, majoring in piano, from the Department of Music at National Kaohsiung Normal University. During her studies, she consistently ranked among the top three in performance examinations, earning multiple scholarships, including those from KHS Foundation, Towa Music Academic Foundation, and Tainan County Federation of Labor. She also participated in masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Hu Nai-Yuan, Pamela Victoria Pyle, and Yury Ayrapetyan.

Actively engaged in musical activities, Chai Wei Chen has extensive experience as a collaborative pianist for competitions and concerts. She has served as pianist for the Paoxi Elementary School Choir, Shengli Elementary School Recorder Ensemble, and Xinhua High School Choir, and has accompanied masterclasses led by Yeesun Kim, Wang Lei, Hu Nai-Yuan, Uwe Hirth-Schmidt, Tsutsumi Go, Ulf Schade, Lin Yi-Bei, and Bart Spanhove, demonstrating her exceptional musical sensitivity and collaborative skills.