Beijing Guitar Duo

Friday, October 5, 2018, at 7:30 PM

Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York City


Multiple award winners Meng Su and Yameng Wang, protégés of Manuel Barrueco, performing music from across the centuries with extraordinary skill and musicality

“Immediately, the listener was attuned to their excellent coordination, keen attention to detail, and subtle gradations of color.” — South Florida Classical Review



BUY TICKETS

Program:
SCARLATTI Two Sonatas (K. 173, K. 141)
GRANADOS Valses Poéticos
TAN DUN Eight Memories in Watercolor, Op. 1 (selections)
WALTON Five Bagatelles (selections) (Meng Su, solo guitar)
BARRIOS MANGORÉ Mazurka apasionada; Contemplación (Yameng Wang, solo guitar)
CHEN YI Nian Hua (Chinese New Year’s Paintings)
ALBÉNIZ Bajo la Palmera; Castilla
GNATALLI Suite Retratos: Anacleto de Madeiros and Chiquinha Gonzaga


Composed of guitarist Meng Su and Yameng Wang, the Beijing Guitar Duo has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. This past season took them to countries such as Germany, Russia, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, China, Panama, and the United States. The duo has toured extensively with their mentor Manuel Barrueco, appearing in such countries as Germany, Finland, Spain, Russia, as well as the United States.

The Beijing Guitar Duo’s performances and recordings have impressed the public with “an ability and artistry that exceeds their years.” Their debut CD Maracaípe, received a Latin Grammy nomination for the titled piece, which was dedicated to them by renowned guitarist/composer Sergio Assad. Their second CD, Bach to Tan Dun, has been widely noted for the world-premiere recording of Tan Dun’s Eight Memories in Watercolor, specially arranged for the duo by Manuel Barrueco. A recording in trio, China West, with Maestro Barrueco, was released in May 2014.

Meng Su and Yameng Wang were born in the coastal city of Qingdao, China. They came to the partnership with exceptional credentials, including a string of competition awards. Ms. Su’s honors include victories at the Vienna Youth Guitar Competition and the Christopher Parkening Young Guitarist Competition, while Ms. Wang was the youngest guitarist to win the Tokyo International Guitar Competition at the age of 12, and was invited by Radio France to perform at the prestigious Paris International Guitar Art Week at age 14. Both young artists had given solo recitals in China and abroad, and had made solo recordings before they formed the duo.

In addition to concertizing, the members of the duo share a love for teaching which brings them to major conservatories in the world for master classes and to judge competitions. Since 2011 they have been Artists-in-residence for the San Francisco Performances. This four-year residency program brings them to the Bay Area every year for community outreach, performances, and master classes in public schools as well as for the San Francisco Conservatory.

The Beijing Guitar Duo is proudly supported by the Maryland State Art Council’s Touring Artists Grant program since 2014.

Photo: Wasin Prasertlap