Past Performances

Recent Updates

Discography

Hiking in the Mist

2019

Coastland

2013

Light Shining Through the Sea

2015

White Forest

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Cicada

Chamber music has a unique ability to capture the subtle textures of the natural world, and few ensembles explore this connection as thoughtfully as Cicada. Since forming in 2009, the group has developed a sound that feels rooted in the landscapes of Taiwan, translating the quiet drama of coastlines, forests, and open skies into delicate instrumental arrangements. Their compositions unfold with patience and precision, inviting listeners into a reflective space where the boundaries between music and environment begin to dissolve.

At the heart of Cicada's work is a deep engagement with Taiwan's mountain forests — places where mist lingers among ancient trees and trails wind through shifting light. These settings are not merely backdrops but active presences in the music, shaping melodies that rise and fall like elevation contours and harmonies that echo the layered quiet of the woodland. The ensemble's most recent album draws directly from these experiences, offering a series of pieces that feel like sonic trail notes from journeys into the high country.

The ocean is another recurring presence in Cicada's catalogue, reflecting Taiwan's identity as an island nation shaped by the Pacific. Their compositions evoke the rhythmic pull of tides, the vastness of open water, and the fragile meeting point where land gives way to sea. There is a meditative quality to these works — a sense of drifting and return that mirrors the coastal experience. String lines ripple like sunlight on waves, while piano figures suggest the steady, patient movement of currents beneath the surface.

Cicada's lineup brings together classically trained musicians who share a commitment to chamber music as a living, evolving form. Led by composer Jesy Chiang, the ensemble approaches each piece with both technical rigor and emotional openness, balancing written structure with interpretive freedom. This collaborative spirit extends to their recording process, where the warmth of acoustic instruments is captured with clarity and care, preserving the intimacy that defines their live performances and giving their albums a timeless, immediate quality.

The ensemble's visual identity complements their musical sensibility, favoring natural light, earthy tones, and imagery drawn from the landscapes that inspire their work. Album artwork, photography, and stage presentation all reflect a cohesive aesthetic that values simplicity and authenticity over embellishment. This restrained approach allows the music to remain the central focus while creating a recognizable atmosphere that audiences have come to associate with the Cicada experience — warm, uncluttered, and deeply connected to place.

Live performance is where Cicada's music finds its fullest expression, transforming recorded compositions into shared moments of presence and attention. Whether performing in Taiwan, Japan, or beyond, the ensemble creates an atmosphere that encourages stillness and listening. Concert settings range from traditional venues to more intimate spaces, each chosen to complement the character of the music. These performances often become quiet gatherings where audiences can step away from the noise of daily life and into a more contemplative register.

Over more than a decade of writing and touring, Cicada has built a body of work that continues to evolve while remaining anchored in the themes that first defined them. Their discography traces an ongoing conversation with the natural world — a series of musical letters from forests, shorelines, and mountain passes. As they look toward future projects and performances, the ensemble carries forward a commitment to chamber music that is both deeply personal and generously open, inviting each listener to find their own path through the sound.

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