Tân Sù-tī

Tân Sù-tī (April 14, 1911 – September 23, 1992) was a Taiwanese composer, pianist, pastor, and educator from Shilin, Taipei. His works combine the pentatonic scale with the chromatic scale of the European Romantic period. Some of his piano works were included in Maurice Hinson's Guide to the Pianist's Repertoire and were held in the same high regard as those Western masters like Beethoven and Chopin. Lu Chuan-Sheng praised him as "The Great Man."

Early life Tân Sù-tī was born on April 14, 1911, in Sanjiaopu, Taipei. His father, Tân Èng-lîn, was a cultivated talent (Hsiutsai) during the Qing dynasty. In 1917, Tân Sù-tī was enrolled in Shezi Common School (an elementary school in Japanese Colonial Taiwan period). Later, he attended high school in Xiamen with his family, but he missed his homeland so much that he returned to Taiwan and enrolled in Tamsui Middle School in 1923. In 1924, he began studying piano and Western classical music under Margaret Mellis Gauld, also known as the "Mother of Church Music in Taiwan." Tân then joined the Glee Club, the first male choir in Taiwan, which was established and led by Chen Ching-Chung, also known as the "Father of Rugby in Taiwan." The choir had extensive experience in touring.

Baptism and Theological Training In 1928, Tân Sù-tī completed his studies at Tamsui Middle School. Tân was baptized in the Dadaocheng Presbyterian Church by Pastor Zhang Jin-Bo in 1929.

After graduating from the Seminary in 1934, Tân visited Japan and attended Japan Theological Seminary (later renamed Tokyo Union Theological Seminary) in April. He studied composition and harmony under Professor at Ueno Music School (later renamed Tokyo University of the Arts), and voice and conducting under . Tân also made friends with other music enthusiasts, including Jiang Wen-ye.

During Tân Sù-tī studied in Japan, he attended some musical activities held by Taiwanese students, such as the "Hometown Visit Music Tour" proposed by Yang Chao-Chia at the first executive meeting of the Taiwan Association in Tokyo. Yang then became the leader and general organizer of the group. Kao Tien-Cheng served as the host for the program's introduction, while Hsiao Tsai-Hsing acted as the concert's emcee. Tân Sù-tī provided accompaniment, and other Taiwanese musicians, including Jiang Wen-Ye, Kao Tzu-Mei, Ke Ming-Chu, Gao Yue-Na, Lin Cheng-Mu, Lin Qiu-Jin, Lin Chin-Sheng, Weng Jung-Mao, and Li Chin-Tu, joined the event. The tour was conducted throughout the island. From August 11th to 19th, 1934, the "Hometown-visit Music Concert" was held in seven different cities, with the debut taking place in the auditorium of the Taipei Medical Professional School (later renamed National Taiwan University College of Medicine) under the administration of the Taiwan Soutokufu on the evening of August 11th. This large-scale music tour is the first fruitful achievement in promoting Western music in Taiwan.

In the serene backdrop of the Izu Peninsula in 1936, Tân Sù-tī crafted his pioneering piece, "The Lamb of God," setting a milestone as Taiwan's inaugural sacred choral masterpiece. Fast forward to 1942, the ethereal melodies of "The Lamb of God" echoed through the grandeur of the Taipei City Public Auditorium (now Zhongshan Hall). Under Tân Sù-tī's meticulous baton, the Three-in-One Trinity Choir—an ensemble drawing talents from Shuanglian, Bangka, and Dadaocheng churches—delivered an evocative performance. That same year, the dulcet tones of Lu Chuan-Sheng graced the airwaves of Taiwan Hōsō Kyōkai (JFAK), accompanied by Tân's adept playing. Barely a year later, the mesmerizing strains of "The Lamb of God" resonated again, this time within the sanctified walls of Taishō Church (now known as Zhongshan Christian Presbyterian Church). With Lu Chuan-Sheng leading as the solo vocalist, the performance captured the hearts of a predominantly Japanese audience, garnering resounding accolades.

In 1937, having completed his studies, Tân Sù-tī returned to Taiwan. Soon after, he tied the knot with Liu Tammui, the esteemed Pastor Liu A-Xiu's second daughter. Subsequently, Tân committed himself as a missionary at the Shilin Presbyterian Church, a role he revered until 1946.

Retirement and death On January 23, 1981, Tân Sù-tī retired from Tamkang Senior High School and moved to the United States. In 1990, Tân Sù-tī founded the "Orange County Christian Fellowship" in Anaheim, California. Tân Sù-tī died on September 23, 1992 and was buried in Orange County, California on September 27.