Pipa concerto - pipa and orchestra

Traditionally pipa is mainly a solo instrument, some time used in folk ensembles such as the traditional "silk and bamboo ensembles" that are commonly found in South-East China. It is also used in accompanying story telling, or local opera. Nowadays, pipa is more and more used in contemporary compositions for ensemble, orchestra, and various combinations with both Chinese and western instruments. There are excellent concertos for pipa with orchestra by composers from countries such China, USA, Canada and Japan, etc. Due to its special sound color and great potentials, pipa works very beautifully with orchestra, as is demonstrated in the following sound sample of Tan Dun's compsotion, "Ghost opera" performed by Liu Fang and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra (guest conductor: Scott Yoo; recorded by CBC radio).

Press review: Pipa virtuoso Liu Fang leads WSO back to classics

[More press reviews]

For more information (such as presskits, the list of repertoire, demo recording of the whole pipa concerto, etc.), and booking, please contact Philmultic Management.

[Note] Pipa is four-stringed Chinese lute that has over 2000 years of well-documented history (More ...)

An extract (4min.) from a CBC TV documentary (BravoCanada)

[2013]

January 24, 2013: "Parfums d'Asie" - pipa concerto. Information

[2011]

• June 16, 2011: Concerto for string orchestra and pipa (composed by Tan Dun), with Montreal Chamber Orchestra (conductor: Wanda Kaluzny), St. James United Church,
  463 Ste-Catherine Street West (Montreal, H3B 1B1).
  Information: www.mco-ocm.qc.ca  
  

• Mon 01 March 2010: Pipa concerto, CHARLEMAGNE ORCHESTRA for EUROPE, concerthall of FLAGEY, Brussels, Belgium (Detailed information ...)
• The pipa concerto with Windsor Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro John Morris Russell has turned out be fantastic experience both for the musicians and for the audience. See review article "Pipa virtuoso Fang leads WSO back to classics " by Ted Shaw in the Windsor Star (February 10, 2008).
• January 31, 2006, Liu Fang performed with Manitoba Chamber Orchestra the celebrated Tan Dun's composition - concerto for pipa with string orchestra, conducted by Scott Yoo. This recording was produced by CBC Radio. The total length is about 20 minutes. On the right chanel, only a small section is shown due to web-capacities.

==> detailed information and press reviews about the concert.