Profile of Liu Fang

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, 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's repertory includes Chinese music of both classical and folk traditions, contemporary music for pipa and guzheng solo, compositions for pipa with string quartet, and pipa concertos with orchestra, as well as free style improvizations. Liu Fang also collaborates with master musicians from various cultural backgrounds and musicial traditions. She has received a number of grants from the Canada Council of the Arts and from Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for various projects. In 2001, she received the prestigious Future Generations Millennium Prize. In the jury's words: "Liu Fang's mastery of the pipa and the guzheng has established her international reputation as a highly talented young interpreter of traditional Chinese music. She aspires to combine her knowledge and practice of eastern traditions with western classical music, contemporary music and improvisation, thereby creating new musical forms, uniting different cultures and discovering new audiences."

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 www.philmultic.com.

(text from http://www.myspace.com/liufang )


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 empress of pipa ... one of the greatest virtuosos" (L'actualité, 2001)

"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 (great 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" ....

For detailed list of press reviews and their sources, information about Liu Fang, her instruments and her music, and booking information, please visit http://www.philmultic.com.

Website URL: http://www.myspace.com/liufang