Abstract
Ko Iok-na (1917-1948) is little known in Taiwan, he was, perhaps, the third composer in Taiwan to compose orchestral works, following his predecessors, Chiang Wen-ye and Lee Zhichuan. Iok-na was born to a Christian family in Kaohsiung County. Due to this background, hymns were the music he most often listened to during his childhood. Moreover, most of the schools he entered were founded by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan: the Presbyterian Middle School (the predecessor of Chang Jung Senior High School) and Tainan Theological School (currently known as Tainan Theological College and Seminary). After briefly working at Tongkang and Alian Churches as a Christian preacher, he traveled to Tokyo in 1940 and studied at Japan Theological School (nowadays known as Tokyo Union Theological Seminary). Besides, he attended courses in organ and composition at Tokyo Music School (renamed Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music) in order to become a music missionary. When he came back from Japan in 1946 and became the music teacher of the Taiwan Provincial Taipei First Girls' High School (renamed Taipei Municipal First Girls' Senior High School), he devoted himself to music for comforting people and praising the Lord. His works reveal his emotions, attachment to his homeland, prayerfulness and love of the Lord. By surveying his life and music, the author, one of Iok-na's nieces, argues that Christianity had significantly been an important part in his life and embodied in his music.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call