Liu Fang and Michael O’Toole

Duo pipa & guitar

   

more video demo...

Open for concert booking:

 
Liu Fang and Michael O'Toole

Concert duo pipa & guitar
Traditional, classical & contemporary music

Examples for the repertoire

Booking periods: open
Regions: Global
Contact:

 

*Pipa is commonly known 4-stringed Chinese lute, or as Chinese "flamenco guitar".

 
2008-2009

Duo pipa & Guitar concert tour and new CD release

A nationwide tour of Ireland to mark the launch of 'Changes', a new and unique recording which brings together two world class artists Liu Fang and Michael O'Toole for the first time, an extraordinary musical meeting between east and west, ancient traditions and modernity.

Printable press release
 

Youtube: Liu Fang and Michael O'Toole concert live

Video: Concert live recording

2009

April 12: Zacatecas International Cultural Festival, Mexico

[Reportage and video]

Concerts in Ireland 2008

  • 26 September, 8pm: Birr Arts Centre
  • 27 September, 8pm: Bray Mermaid Arts Centre
  • 29 September, 8pm: Waterford Cathedral, Baron Strand Street
  • 1 October, 8pm: Ballina Arts Centre
  • 5 October, 12pm: Dublin Hugh Lane Gallery
  • 8 October, 8pm: Kilkenny Bishop's Palace
  • 9 October, 1pm: DKIT
  • 10 October, 8pm: Bantry St. Johns Church

 

Internationally-acclaimed Chinese pipa virtuoso Liu Fang and the renowned Irish classical guitarist Michael O'Toole unite in a duo tour of pipa & guitar in 8 venues around Ireland. It is a unique and exciting collaboration that brings together fantastic repertoire from classical and traditional music to contemporary works. This tour is aided by the Music Network Ireland Touring Award and will mark the launch of their new album entitled “Changes”, which was recorded earlier this year in Montreal, Canada.

The pipa (Chinese four-stringed Lute) and guitar have evolved from a common ancestor over many centuries into very different instruments and following continuous adaptations and modifications, are both eminently suitable for modern ensemble playing. The beautiful, crystalline sound of the pipa is elegantly complemented by the warm, rich tone of the guitar. The combination of these two instruments creates a new flamboyant sound which, while steeped in their respective histories, is also refreshingly modern and surprisingly versatile. From the beautiful subtle melodies of 'Sai Shang Qu' to the daring adaption of Philip Glass' masterpiece 'Company' to the raucous rendition of Bartok's Romanian Dances, Liu Fang and Michael O'Toole display stunning virtuosity and endless adaptability. The combination of pipa and guitar gives an incredibly fresh perspective to existing masterpieces by a wide range of composers from Vivaldi to Piazzolla. In addition to this, the recording contains beautifully sensitive performances of new works by Ian Wilson and Toshiuki Haraoki, marking the duo's commitment to new music. The varied nature of the repertoire on the cd and tour shows how successful this combination can be in the hands of two such talented performers.

New CD release 2008 & audio demo

video demo: concert live recording

Liu Fang and Michael O'Toole set for nationwide tour, Hot Press, 2008.08.28

 

 

[Liu Fang] [Michael O'Toole] [video demos (youtube.com)]