Xuefei Yang

Introduction

Born in Beijing, guitarist Xuefei Yang is now based in the UK and enjoys an international career. She performs regularly throughout UK, Europe, Asia and North America.  Her success has led her to be invited to many prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, as well as the Philharmonie Berlin, Musikhalle Hamburg, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Konzerthaus Vienna, Auditorio Nacional de Espana, Lincoln Center New York and the Herbst Theatre San Francisco. In Asia she has appeared at the National Concert Hall Taipei, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Esplanade Singapore, Seoul Arts Centre and the Beijing Concert Hall.

The 2009/10 season sees Fei performing concertos with leading orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Zurich Chamber Orchestra and Northern Sinfonia. She gives recitals in Lisbon, Macau, Brussels, Beijing, Seattle, San Francisco and throughout the UK including Kings Place London.

Biography

The Beijing born, London based, internationally acclaimed guitarist Xuefei Yang was the first ever guitarist in China to enter a music school, and the first Chinese guitarist to launch an international career as a professional musician. 

Fei began playing the guitar at the age of seven, taking formal tuition at ten.  Soon after, she made her first public appearance at the First China International Guitar Festival.  Immediately she gained such acclaim that the Spanish Ambassador in China presented her with a concert guitar.  She then went on to  play extensively in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Australia and Europe. In 1995 when John Williams came to Beijing, he was so impressed with her playing that he gave two of his own Smallman guitars to her Conservatory especially for her and other advanced students to play.

As the first Chinese student to receive an international scholarship from the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, Fei came to England in 2000 for her postgraduate study at The Royal Academy of Music with Michael Lewin. In 2005 her outstanding achievements as a musician were recognized by the Royal Academy who granted her the title of “Associate.”

Fei enjoys an international career and performs regularly throughout UK, Europe, Asia and North America.  Her success has led her to be invited to many prestigious venues such as Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, as well as the Philharmonie Berlin, Musikhalle Hamburg, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Konzerthaus Vienna, Auditorio Nacional de Espana, Lincoln Center New York and the Herbst Theatre San Francisco. In Asia she has appeared at the National Concert Hall Taipei, Hong Kong City Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Esplanade Singapore, Seoul Arts Centre and the Beijing Concert Hall.

The 2009/10 season sees Fei performing concertos with leading orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Zurich Chamber Orchestra and Northern Sinfonia. She gives recitals in Lisbon, Macau, Brussels, Beijing, Seattle, San Francisco and throughout the UK including Kings Place London. Fei continues her relationship with cellist Natalie Clein in a tour of the UK and Ireland.

Fei has an exclusive international recording contract with EMI Classics.  Her EMI debut album ‘Romance de Amor’ reached gold disc status in Hong Kong. Her second album ‘40 Degrees North, featuring music from Spain and China was released in April 2008 and was chosen as ‘Best Instrumental CD of 2008’ by Canton Radio station in China.

Xuefei Yang plays D’Addario guitar strings on a Smallman guitar.
June 2009

Press Reviews

“The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly a stunningly virtuosic arrangement for solo guitar of the G minor Violin Sonata BWV1001, where Xuefei Yang proved to be a most impressive advocate for her instrument.”
The Strad Magazine, May 2010


“As meticulous a technician as she is a musician, the Chinese guitarist avoids the rubato-filled affectations so many guitarists espouse and she manages to highlight the individual lines of contrapuntal passages while still maintaining a sense of momentum and rhythmic flow.”
The Washington Post, March 2010.


“This lady’s guitar playing is something rather special… so controlled, so disciplined; and so musically emotional. And, where oh where did she learn to play a tango so seductively, so outrageously South Americanly laid back as she did in her final piece by Albeniz...The variety of her playing is monumental… the finely chiselled phrases, the delicately imprinted counter and sub melodies a feature of all her playing.”
Wiltshire Gazette & Herald, June 2009.

“Xuefei Yang’s music is not only passionate; it is full of beauty and purity in its colourful melodies. Even when playing Spanish music, her playing is very calm…Two of the best parts of her playing are her gentle touch and warm tone, while maintaining a unique and refreshing sound.”
Guangzhou Media, July 2008

“One of the most extraordinary instrumentalists in the world. Ms Yang plays her Spanish music, like her other music, fabulously; with sparkle, clarity and flair.”
The New York Sun, June 2008

“Yang’s playing exhibits that kind of subtle intelligence that makes even the most disparate elements seem effortlessly to cohere. The colour and fluency of her playing is a delight throughout. The guitar world has a new star.”
Gramophone Magazine ‘Editor’s Choice’, July 2008

“Chinese soloist Xuefei Yang approached the movements with much intensity and very moving and deep expression… Her interpretation was animated and multi-faceted.”
Rheinpfalz, April 2008

“She has great technical ability but, because she is so naturally musical in her playing, her sound is never sterile. And she manages to dazzle without affectation or ostentation.”
Star Telegram Fort Worth, October 2007

“ ...a wonderful performance by the young Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang in Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.  There is no question that she is a star in the making…her reading of the solo role was beautifully shaped and highly expressive capturing the emotional impact and quintessentially Spanish idioms of the music to perfection.”
The Scotsman, September 2007

“A great performance, brilliantly offset by the coolly-soulful playing of Chinese guitarist Xue Fei Yang in a clean, detailed and decisive performance of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, with a sizzling tango delivered as encore.”
Glasgow Herald, June 2007

“…classical guitarist Xuefei Yang enraptured punters in the Ballroom area…”
The Daily Telegraph, June 2007

“She’s an excellent guitarist with a refreshing, individual sound.  The many nuances in her performance evolve naturally, without any sense of calculation or excess.  Xuefei’s playing is characterized by a clear, light touch and delicate tonal sensitivity.  She can play with speed and precision..or she can exhibit flowing, romantic expressivity.”
Fanfare Magazine, May 2007

“Miss Yang demonstrates her feisty virtuosity, impeccable technique and sensitive musicianship…”
The New York Times, 22 April 2007

“She announces her musical mastery in the opening phrases of Albeniz’ Asturias. Her playing is disciplined but nuanced and filled with a range of expressive colours and timbres. Yang has complete control of her instrument. Guiding her infallible fingers in a rare musical sensitivity that informs every selection on this disc.”
Courier Post, 25 February 2007

“...stirring and smart; tangy and beautiful.  Ms. Yang has no end of technique...She can be dizzying (without sacrificing musically) and she can be potent:  The strumming in Albeniz's "Asturias" goes right through you...I was moved by the musicianship and the very person of this extraordinary young lady.  Discover her for yourself.”
The New York Sun, 20 February 2007

Discography

40 DEGREES NORTH (2008)
EMI Classics 2 06322 2

ROMANCE DE AMOR (2006)
EMI Classics 3 70714 2

SI JI (Four Seasons) (2005)
GSP Recordings 1025CD

CLASSICAL GUITAR (1999)
Shine Horn China SC-1029

Links

Xuefei Yang's website

40 Degrees North

Xuefei Yang's page at EMI Classics

Contact

Melanie Moult

Susie Murray

General Management

Xuefei Yang with Natalie Clein

Click here to see Xuefei Yang playing Casal's Song of the Birds with cellist Natalie Clein

Schedule

Burrell Theatre, Truro, UK
15 October 2010

Grosvenor Church, Barnstaple, UK
16 October 2010 19.30

Ipswich Regent, Ipswich, UK
20 October 2010 19.30

Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, Bethesda, MD, USA
23 October 2010 20.00

Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit, USA
5 November 2010 10.45

Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit, USA
6 November 2010 20.30

Max M. Fisher Music Center, Detroit, USA
6 November 2010 15.00

Xian Concert Hall, Xian, China
20 November 2010

Bentley Music Auditorium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
22 November 2010 20.30

Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
24 November 2010 20.30

Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-upon-Avon, UK
27 November 2010

Publicity Downloads

Xuefei Yang Photo 1 (Please credit Neil Muir)

Xuefei Yang Photo 2 (Please credit Neil Muir)

Xuefei Yang Photo 3 (Please credit Neil Muir)

Xuefei Yang Photo 4 (Please credit Wai Tong Kwang)

Xuefei Yang Photo 5 (Please credit Andrew Wong/EMI Classics)

Xuefei Yang Biography