Japanese orchestra's rain-soaked performance sparks debate in Taiwan

The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra's performance at the 2026 Taoyuan Music Carnival became a point of contention after they continued playing through a heavy downpour. The event, held at Taoyuan Arts Plaza, drew criticism from Democratic Progressive Party councilor Huang Chiung-hui, who questioned the decision to have the conductor and musicians perform in the rain, with instruments reportedly covered by plastic bags. She suggested the organizers needed to review their arrangements.

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The public discussion seemed to pay less attention to the efforts made by the curatorial team and performers to maintain the quality of the performance, and was instead quickly drawn into political attacks.

Clarinetist Yang Yuan-shuo, who participated in the performance, shared his perspective on Facebook, stating that much of the public discussion focused on political attacks rather than the efforts made by the organizing team and performers to ensure the quality of the show. He emphasized that musicians value the shared moments with fans and audiences, regardless of their background.

Yang recounted the dedication of the orchestra's members, noting that about 60% of the operational staff were from the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. They voluntarily assisted with various performance details in the rain, enabling the show to proceed. He specifically highlighted the orchestra's permanent conductor, Takeshi Ooi, who completed every beat with unwavering commitment, only wiping rain from his face and drinking water before returning to the stage. Ooi even inquired about adjusting the concerto's performance position to minimize the impact of the rain.

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He completed every beat of the conductor's movements in the rain, simply wiped the rain from his face and drank a few sips of water after saluting before returning to the stage.

Yang himself chose to remain in his original position, not out of disregard for his instrument's risk of damage, but inspired by the professional commitment he witnessed. Despite his body and instrument becoming soaked, the performance's integrity remained unaffected, leaving him with a profound impression. He expressed a sincere hope that those quick to politicize the issue would sometimes consider the hardships faced by professionals across various fields and the kindness of individuals striving to improve their environment.

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My body and my instrument were soaked due to a large amount of water, but the completeness of the performance was not affected.