Chinese Traditional Pipa Music

Born in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, and graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Liu Fang is a very promising young pipa virtuoso now residing in Montreal (Quebec), Canada. She started learning the pipa at the age six and began an impressive performing career as a pipa soloist when she was 11 years old. She performed for festivals and concerts across China and had the honour to play pipa solo for Queen Elizabeth during Her Majesty's visit to China in 1985. She toured Japan in 1986. Liu Fang won numerous prizes at provincial and national Chinese music competitions such as the first prize for pipa at the National Youth Competition held in Sichuan in 1988. At the age of 15, she successfully enrolled into the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and studied the pipa under Professor Ye Xu-Ran, pipa master, educator and composer. As her second major, she also learned the zheng, a zither considered to be one of the oldest Chinese instruments. In 1993, she graduated from the Conservatory and became the pipa soloist in Kunming Music and Dance Troupe. In 1995, she travelled to Germany to perform. During her stay in Germany, she seized the opportunity to play Chinese and western classical music with some members of the German Symphony Orchestra of Berlin. She immigrated to Canada at the end of 1995 and settled in Montreal. In a few short years in Canada, she has contributed to several soundtracks, performed at a number of festivals throughout Canada and given numerous concerts in Canada, USA, Columbia and Germany (see the list of concerts). Her recording Chinese Traditional Pipa Music (Oliver Sudden Production), which includes nine traditional pieces for pipa solo, was release in June 1997. In May 1998, Liu Fang had the honour to receive a grant for individual artists from the Canada Council for the Arts. In October, she won the competition for the Canada Council for the Arts Showcase and performed on November 15, 1998 for the eastern Showcase (Montreal). Since 1998, she has been collaborating with Canadian composers and musicians on various projects. By introducing pipa and Chinese traditional music to western audiences, Liu Fang wishes to make her contribution to Canadian culture and society. Liu Fang's playing is characterised by well-articulated dynamics and inspiring lyricism. Her music is warmly received and highly acclaimed wherever she appears.