Behind the Prize: How Jian Yu-Cen Found Her Voice Through the Recorder
- WOMCO
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Jian Yu-Cen was awarded the Absolute First Prize in the Age 11-13, in the Mozart International Music Competition UK 2025 Season 1.
Biography
Zhubei City is a charming small town in Taiwan, where gentle breezes have nurtured my growth. The city is adorned with beautiful irrigation canals and a natural sense of rhythm. Every year, during the late September of the lunar calendar, when the solar term "Shuangjiang" arrives, the monsoon from the north grows particularly strong—a phenomenon locally known as the "Jiujiang Wind." It has earned the nickname "Windy City."
During an open house at Hsing Lung Primary School, I unexpectedly heard the recorder ensemble perform for the first time. The soothing and unique sound of the wooden recorders deeply captivated me. Without hesitation, I decided to join the ensemble and joyfully embarked on my journey of learning the recorder.
During recorder ensemble classes, in addition to solo and ensemble performances, our teacher encouraged us to form groups and try chamber music pieces. Honestly, after entering Hsinchu County Cheng-Gong Junior High School, time management became a real challenge. Fortunately, with the support and encouragement of my chamber music partners (Swing Recorders, Capriol Musicians), we accompanied each other and overcame the challenges of seventh grade together.
My most unforgettable experience was participating in the 2023 Suma Cum Laude Music Competition, where we had the honor of performing at the Gala Winners Concert in Vienna. After we played the Taiwan folk song "Water Falling from Sky," the thunderous applause from three thousand audience members shook me to my core. The emotions I felt at that moment were indescribable and allowed me to truly experience the power of music. This experience not only reinforced my joyful approach to learning but also made me realize that music has the ability to connect hearts and convey emotions.
Through this music competition, I hope to continue sharing my musical journey and let more people experience the beauty of music.
Recorder, Solo Experiences
2023 Taiwan Music Competition, Taichung – Fifth Prize, Good Award
Ernst Krähmer, Introduction et Variations Op. 29
2024 Cheer Taiwan International Music Competition – Third Prize, Gold Award
Gordon Jacob (1895–1984), Sonatina, Mov. 1 Allegro & Mov. 4 Allegro Vivace
2024 Nordhorn Recorder Festival – Gold Award
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741), Sonata IV in A Major, Mov. 1 Preludio, Largo &
Mov. 2 Allegro ma non presto
2024 Taiwan Recorder Music Festival – Gold Award
Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi Mealli (1624–1687), Sonata Op. 4 No. 1 La Bernabea
2025 Cheer Taiwan International Music Competition – Second Prize, Superior
Award
York Bowen (1884-1961), Sonata Op.121 Mov. 3 Allegro giocoso
Recorder, Ensemble Experiences
2021 National Student Competition of Music – First Prize, Superior Award
Glen Shannon, Mountain Mosaic
2022 National Student Competition of Music – First Prize, Superior Award
Béla Kéler (1820–1882), Spanische Lustspiel-Ouvertüre, Op. 137
2023 National Student Competition of Music – First Prize, Superior Award
Stephen Watkins (1982), Eduardo e Caramella
2023 15th Suma Cum Laude, Vienna (Summa Ensemble) – First Prize,
Outstanding Success
2023 15th Suma Cum Laude, Vienna, Gala Winners’ Concert – Water Falling
from Sky
2024 Cheer Taiwan International Music Competition (Quartet) – First Prize,
Superior Award
Hans Ulrich Steaps (1909–1998), Flöten Suite
2024 Nordhorn Recorder Festival (Quartet) – First Prize, Gold Award
Hans Ulrich Steaps (1909–1998), Flöten Suite
2024 Taiwan Recorder Music Festival (Sextet) – Gold Award
Peter Warlock (1894–1930), Capriol Suite
2024 National Student Competition of Music – First Prize, Superior Award
Sören Sieg (1966), Mathongo Amnandi
2025 Cheer Taiwan International Music Competition (Quintet) – Second Prize,
Gold Award
Raphael Benjamin Meyer (1987), The Swing Thing
Can you introduce yourself and share how you got into music?
I am a lively person who enjoys making friends. My journey into music began quite unexpectedly. During my primary school entrance ceremony, my family and I were strolling around the campus. As we walked along the exterior of a traditional building, I heard a warm, resonant sound for the first time. Entering the activity center, I saw many students performing various instruments on stage. At the time, I didn’t realize these were wooden recorders, but I was quietly moved by their unique timbre. Later, I joined the recorder ensemble, and to this day, that initial sense of warmth and inspiration remains unforgettable.
Could you tell us more about your award-winning work? For instance, how did you prepare it, bring it to life, or any interesting stories behind the scenes?
To be honest, after entering Hsinchu County Cheng-Gong Junior High School, the academic curriculum became more rigorous and the workload heavier, leaving me with little time to spare. When I first received this piece, I found many passages with challenging fingerings and considered giving up several times. However, every time I listened to the melody of "La Bernebea," I was captivated by its rich musical narrative. Over time, what was once unfamiliar became second nature, and I learned to express the music’s vitality, technicality, and deep emotion. Although I still lack experience, playing this piece has accompanied my thoughts and helped me feel a steady sense of growth. (So far, I have enjoyed performing, but I am still inexperienced in composition.)
What do you believe defines a great recorder player, and how do you incorporate your unique style into your music?
I apologize if I am not yet mature enough to fully articulate this aspect, but every time I listen to my teacher kindly and playfully share the stories behind each piece, I am grateful for my connection with the recorder. I deeply feel the love and inclusiveness that Dr. Meng-Heng Chen imparts to us through music—it is indescribably great, like a musical mother to my soul. I believe she is the greatest recorder player I have ever known. I am still learning and hope to gradually develop my own unique style.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Participating in the Mozart IMC_UK was initially a little nerve-wracking. I want to thank Dr. Meng-Heng Chen for her patience and kindness, for rehearsing with me many times and sharing the context of my piece. I also want to thank my parents for encouraging me to join this competition and for quietly comforting me whenever I felt frustrated. Without their support, I would not have been able to perform steadily or submit my recording for this event.
