Friday, March 10, 2023, at 7:30 PM
Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A West 13th Street, New York City
China’s first international star of the guitar, acclaimed everywhere for her prodigious talent and revelatory interpretive powers in established masterworks and world premiere performances
“Impeccable technique and sensitive musicianship in repertory ranging from Albeniz to arrangements of Western pop and Asian songs … Yang’s guitar sings.” – The New York Times
COVID POLICY: At present, we are not requiring masking at our concerts. Vaccination and masking are strongly encouraged, and if you are not feeling well, we ask you to stay home. Note that our policy is subject to change as conditions evolve.
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Program:
BACH Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
XU CHAN JUN Sword Dance
SOR Introduction, Theme & Variations on a Theme from Mozart’s The Magic Flute for Guitar Solo, Op. 9
VILLA-LOBOS Prelude No. 1, Scottish Choro
BONFA Manha de Carnaval
JOBIM Felicidade (arr. Dyens)
BARRIOS Maxixe, Julia Florida, Danza Paraguay
BROUWER Berceuse (Canción de Cuna)
EMILIO PUJOL Guajita
PACO PEÑA Colombiana
Xuefei Yang is acclaimed as one of the world’s finest classical guitarists. Hailed as a musical pioneer – her fascinating journey began after the Cultural Revolution, a period where Western musical instruments & music were banned. Xuefei was the first-ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, & became the first internationally recognised Chinese guitarist on the world stage. Her first public appearance was at the age of ten and received such acclaim that the Spanish Ambassador in China presented her with a concert guitar. Her debut in Madrid at the age of 14 was attended by the composer Joaquín Rodrigo and, when John Williams heard her play, he gave two of his own instruments to Beijing’s Central Conservatoire especially for her and other advanced students.
Xuefei was born in Beijing, & is a graduate of Beijing’s Central Conservatoire of Music, and went on to become the first Chinese musician to receive a full scholarship for postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she received the Principal’s Prize on completion of her postgraduate study.
The UK classical music magazine, Classic FM, named Xuefei as one of the 100 top classical musicians of our time. In recognition of her distinguished career, Xuefei was awarded ‘Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music’ in June 2012. Xuefei continues to be ambassador & role model for guitar in China, & from 2015 she is honoured to be the artistic director of Changsha International Guitar Festival.
Xuefei is now based in the UK.
Photo by Neil Muir.
