Liz Tsao's cello recital

A native of Taiwan,  Li-Tsu (Liz) Tsao began her music studies at the age of 6. With a strong passion for music, She earned her Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance from National Taiwan Normal University under Professor Ling-Yi OuYang and later completed her Master’s degree with scholarship in Cello Performance from Michigan State University with professor Suren Bagratuni, winner of the Silver Medal at the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition. 

Tsao is an active professional cellist  in solo, orchestra, chamber music, and festival performances. As a soloist, Tsao has performed at the New York Carnegie Hall in the American Protégé winner concert, E. Elgar Cello Concerto with NTNU New Music Orchestra, and various solo performances throughout Taiwan and the United States. Through her scholarship awards, Tsao has also received invitations to many international music festivals across Asia, Europe, and the States.

In addition to classical music, Tsao is passionate about diverse musical genres. She served as a producer assistant at Zoommuzik Studio, collaborating with Taiwanese pop singer Sam Lee, and later contributed as a guest cellist on singles with the pop band Nan-Quan MaMa in Taipei.

Liz Tsao's interview

1)When did you start playing cello?

Choosing the cello was a beautiful accident. I had always focused on learning the piano and played solo. In elementary school, I saw the students in the string orchestra laughing and chatting together as they went to their ensemble classes, which ignited my desire to join them. The string orchestra doesn’t include the piano; it consists of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Thinking naively that I could join just because I played the piano, I signed up without considering what new instrument I would have to choose. The teacher said, “You’re tall; how about the bigger one- cello?” Thus, from that moment on, I formed a deep connection with the cello.

2) Can you tell me a little bit about your journey in becoming a musician?

When I was a child, my father was very obsessed with high-end audio systems. I remember there was a cabinet in our home filled with classical music records, and he would even collect different versions of the same piece by various performers. Every evening, he would choose a CD to play on the sound system, enjoying his high-quality audio and relaxing after work. Growing up in that environment, I listened to a lot of classical music alongside my father, and my music-loving parents encouraged me to learn both piano and cello. Playing instruments and listening to music have always played a significant role in my life.

One day, during my teenage years, I suddenly thought that since I loved music so much—and often used practicing as a way to relieve stress from my heavy schoolwork—perhaps I should choose a music-related major, so I wouldn’t have to deal with math! Math was really difficult!

This is yet another story of stumbling into a professional field. However, once I entered the world of a music program, I realized I had miscalculated. Math was still a required subject, and besides dealing with the subject I wanted to escape, I also had to face the pressures of practicing and competing in performance exams. But over time, I gradually adapted to this life centered around practice, and I completed my education step by step to become someone who works in the music field.

As I grew older and got to know more musicians, seeing everyone with their instruments discussing music, teaching, learning from each other, and collaborating on performances made me reflect on how grateful and happy it is to work in a field I love.

3)What do you like the most about being a cellist?

I believe the cello is one of the most beautiful and captivating instruments for me. I especially love its range; its sound is closest to the human voice, resonating with a warm and powerful quality. The cello covers a wide range and is highly expressive. Another aspect I enjoy as a cellist is that we can always sit down while practicing and performing!

4)What is the most challenging part of performing at a concert?

For me, mental resilience is crucial when it comes to performing on stage. When many people are watching, your mental health and strength can significantly affect whether you can perform to the best of your ability or struggle to do so. Sometimes, the excitement of being nervous can enhance our performance, but often, anxiety can make our bodies tense and hinder our ability to relax and express ourselves as we wish.

In addition to thorough rehearsals and physical stamina, believing in yourself and enjoying the stage are key factors for a successful performance. This aspect requires a lot of practice for me. As an introvert, stepping into the spotlight takes an immense effort. However, after watching  an interview clip with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, I experienced an epiphany. He mentioned in the interview that he is “fully dedicated to serving the music.”

By staying focused and enjoying the music and the peace it brings, you can express the music you envision beautifully; at the very least, being satisfied with your performance is the best outcome. Maintaining a good state of mind is always challenging, but the joy that the stage and music bring encourages us to keep performing. I think this complex feeling is part of the allure of being on stage!

5)Can you tell me a little bit more about your upcoming concert?

I will be performing a solo cello concert on Sunday, November 10th, at 6 PM at the beautiful music recital hall in Santa Clara University. I’m very excited to be invited to collaborate with the Virtuosi Music & Art Foundation (VMAF) to host my solo cello concert. VMAF is dedicated to promoting classical music in Northern California and has worked with many renowned musicians from both domestic and international backgrounds to present various chamber music concerts over the past two years. My solo salon concert, "Classical Soundscape," is part of the 2024 chamber music series.

The concept of this concert is inspired by the salon concerts popular in 19th-century France. Salon concerts refer to live music performances held in intimate settings, drawing from the same tradition in 19th-century Europe. The word "salon" is French for "large room." These concerts were a popular way to enjoy music, conversation, and refreshments. I hope to create a simple atmosphere in the 21st century, a busy digital age, where audiences—friends and family—can easily connect with musicians and experience music together, making classical music more accessible and understandable to the public.

This concert features a curated selection of cello works from the 19th and 20th centuries, showcasing pieces by French composer Gabriel Fauré, Impressionist Claude Debussy, passionate South American composer Gabriel Cassado, UK composer Frederick Delius, Soviet jazz composer Kapustin and American female composer Amy Beach, whose works are delicate and warm. The concert will also include guided explanation on the pieces, aiming to provide the audience with a different experience compared to formal concerts. We hope this relaxed salon concert will foster resonance and interaction with the audience, making it suitable for both young and older attendees.

I warmly welcome friends from the Bay Area to gather and join this special concert. Admission is free, and we hope to promote classical cello music to more people.

Date: November 10, 2024 (Sunday) at 6 PM

Location: Music Recital Hall, Center for Performing Arts at Santa Clara University

Address: 114 Franklin Street,

Santa Clara, CA 95050

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