Recorder31 Day 23 | Side-By-Side Interview: Meng-Heng Chen & Maurice Steger

We've nearly reached the end of another week of Recorder31, which means it's time for this week's Side-By-Side Interview. This week, another international pairing of players and educators comes together to reflect on the recorder scene, with a particularly interesting focus on the recorder in Asia. Read on to find out more!

Meng-Heng Chen, one of the most prominent recorder players from Taiwan, and Maurice Steger, international concert soloist, conductor and educator, have known each other for over a decade and their paths have crossed both in Europe and Meng-Heng's native Taiwan. The Taiwanese recorder scene becomes a theme of their conversation, alongside approaches to teaching and performing, and their work organising the Taiwan Recorder Festival (Meng-Heng) and Blöckfloetenfesttage in Germany (Maurice).

About the artists

Maurice Steger established himself as one of the most sought-after soloists in the Early Music scene soon after gaining his Soloists’ Diploma in 1995. The recorder player has had the great fortune of playing with some of the best Baroque orchestras all over the world, getting to know specific ways of, and varying approaches to, making music in the process. He was increasingly being called upon to take a leading role, and so he decided to immerse himself in this subject and went on to study conducting. Nowadays, Maurice Steger leads large orchestras and develops musical concepts mostly in the field of Early Music. The artist is now in the 27th season of teaming up with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, which he also served for some years as Baroque Music Director. Steger regularly tracks down baroque and early classical rarities, conducts and plays them or releases them on CD. Maurice Steger has received many awards for his work, including the Karajan Prize and the ECHO Klassik. www.maurice-steger.com

Meng-Heng Chen is a recorder performer, conductor, educator, and international festival director. She serves as Associate Professor of Music at National Tsing Hua University and is the Artistic Director of the Orient Baroque Ensemble, the Hsinchu Recorder Orchestra, and the Kaohsiung Recorder Orchestra. She is also the Founder and Festival Director of the Taiwan International Recorder Festival. Chen holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Historical Performance (Recorder) from Boston University and a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting. Her artistic career bridges historical performance, conducting, music education, and international cultural exchange, making her one of the most active recorder specialists in the Asia-Pacific region. Recognised internationally for her artistry and educational leadership, Chen has performed, presented masterclasses, and served as an adjudicator at festivals, competitions, and academic institutions throughout Europe and Asia. www.recorderchen.com

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REMINDER! Our Modern & High-End Recorders promotion continues all weekend, with fantastic offers available on selected instruments including top-of-the-range models and innovative modern designs. These prices are only available until TONIGHT 23:59PT so explore the collection now!

ANOTHER REMINDER! Our Ensembles Competition closes for entries today – send us your ensemble's recording for a chance to WIN a Kunath Sigo bass recorder to share with your group. Click here to find out how to enter.

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Today we are featuring a standout instrument for serious soloists and Baroque enthusiasts: the Bressan Alto in Grenadilla by Stephan Blezinger.

Modelled on the iconic original designs of Peter Bressan, maker Stephan Blezinger brings historic proportions into the modern era with extraordinary precision. Combined with dense, oil-rich Grenadilla, this alto possesses the broad, full-throated resonance that Bressan instruments are famed for, elevated by flawless modern craftsmanship.

Listen to the dark, complex depth in the low register—the signature Bressan full-bodied tone lays down a rich foundation. As the clip progresses into the second and third octaves, notice the intense laser focus and silvery projection. Grenadilla gives each note a crisp, immediate attack, making intricate French and Italian Baroque ornamentation pop with total clarity.

Listen to this recorder!

Bach Sarabande: