Liu Fang is internationally acclaimed virtuoso performer of pipa (Chinese lute or guitar) and guzheng (Chinese zither or harp). She was born in Kunming (China) in 1974 and started her music career early as child prodigy. She moved to Canada shortly after graduation from the Shanghai Conservatory and started an impressive international music career as soloist. In the past decade Liu Fang has given numerous solo concerts (on Chinese music from the classical tradition as well as contemporary music), including venues such as SettemberMusica MiTo (2007), the Theatre de la Ville in Paris (2006) and Philharmonic Hall of Liege (Belgium, 2006), BBC concerts in London (2004, 2007), Radio-Canada concerts in Canada as well as international music festivals such as Lewes Guitar Festival, the International Bath Festival and WOMAD in UK; the Chord Ennis International Music Festival (for classical guitar) in Ireland; Festival de Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Festival des musiques du monde les suds à Arles and Festival Les Escales de Saint Nazaire in France, TFF Rudolstadt in Germany, and most of the major folk music festivals in Canada. Liu Fang has also performed with orchestras and string quartets, and collaborated with great musicians from various music traditions. Liu Fang's music playing has received ravish reviews from the media and the audience alike.
Liu Fang has released 9 albums. Her recent album in collaboration with musicians from African, Indian and Arabic music traditions has received the prestigious French Acedemie Charles Cros Award. For detailed information, please visit: liufangmusic.net or http://www.philmultic.com/.
Upcoming concerts: see http://www.philmultic.com/liufang/concerts/
Press reviews
"There was just one musician, but ten talented fingers" - Sir Ian McKellen at BBC Concert, London (2004)
"True ambassadress of the art of the pipa and Zheng" (Véritable ambassadrice de l'art du pipa et du Zheng) - Liberté de L'Est (France), 2004.
"a intermédiare which corresponds completely to the magic of the music of Liu Fang, divine mediator" (un intermédiare qui correspond tout à fait à la magie de la musique de Liu Fang, médiatrice divine) -World (france), 2006.
"The audience was enchanted, subjugated by this splendid sound. While playing, Liu Fang becomes one with her instrument. ... Liu Fang is a musician of exception; she represents the charm, the grace, and all magic of the East." (Le public était sous le charme, subjugué par ce son magnifique. Lorsqu'elle joue; Liu Fang fait corps avec son instrument. ... Liu Fang est une musicienne d'exception, elle représente le charme; la grâce, toute la magie de l'Orient. ) - Olonne-sur-Mer, le journal Ouest-France, 2004.
"Masterful, graceful and riveting" BBC (London, UK) 2004).
Liu Fang's total devotion to her playing has moved her beyond perfect execution to the creativity and flexibility that marks a true musician." - - fROOTS Magazine, UK, 06.2006("more ...).
The renowned musicologist, Prof. Tran Van Khe (master of traditional Vietnamese music, professor of the University of the Sorbonne in Paris) described Liu Fang's first solo recital in Paris in 1999, "A veritable feast for the ears, eyes, heart and soul of a choice public, attentive and knowledgeable. With such an accomplished musician, the great technical hurdles are forgotten in passing effortlessly and serenely into a marvellous musical paradise" ....
"the empress of pipa ... one of the greatest virtuosos" (L'actualité, 2001)
(for more press reviews, please visit: http://www.liufangmusic.net/)