Xuefei Yang live in concert

About the artist 
Xuefei Yang is celebrated as one of the world’s leading classical guitarists and a true musical pioneer. Born in Beijing in the years following the Cultural Revolution, when Western music and instruments had only just begun to re-emerge in China, she became the first guitarist ever admitted to a Chinese conservatoire and went on to become the first internationally recognised Chinese classical guitarist on the world stage.

Her extraordinary artistry has captivated audiences in more than fifty countries, with performances at many of the world’s most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the Philharmonie Berlin and the Concertgebouw Amsterdam. She has appeared with leading orchestras across Europe, Asia and North America, while her acclaimed recordings continue to redefine and expand the classical guitar repertoire.

Praised for her warmth, sensitivity and expressive depth, Xuefei Yang bridges cultures through music, bringing together the traditions of East and West with remarkable elegance and imagination. Her performances combine virtuosic brilliance with intimate lyricism, creating a unique musical voice that has inspired audiences and musicians around the world. BBC Music Magazine has named her among the top guitarists of the century, while Gramophone has recognised her as one of the leading innovators of her generation.

About the concert

Silk and Fire: Explore the exotic sounds encountered along the Silk Road on a journey from the Orient to Iberia. This vibrant concert brings together the cultures, rhythms, and stories that flowed along this historic route, weaving them into an unforgettable journey. Experience the fire of Spain alongside the poeticism of China. The exotic colours and sounds encountered along the Silk Road reveal shared stories of love, longing, and resilience that transcend traditions. More than a concert, this is a joyful celebration of culture, creativity, and our shared humanity, a human dialogue between East and West.

Programme 

Homage to Manuel de Falla on the 150th anniversary of his birth - I

Falla: Tres piezas de 'El amor brujo’ (Three pieces from 'Love the Magician')

- Pantomima (Pantomime)

- Canción del fuego fatuo (Song of the Will-o'-the-Wisp)

- Danza del terror (Dance of Terror)

Evocation of the Orient

Lou Harrison - Serenade (a selection)

Homage to Manuel de Falla on the 150th anniversary of his birth - II

Joaquín Rodrigo - Invocacíon y Danza

Byzantine empire : the gateway from East to West

Carlo Domeniconi - Koyunbaba

Interval

Homage to Manuel de Falla on the 150th anniversary of his birth - III

Falla - Millers dance, from 'El sombrero de tres picos’

Falla - Homenaje ‘pour le tombeau de Claude Debussy’

Falla - Spanish Dance No1, from 'La vida breve' (arr. Xuefei Yang)

Along the Silk Road - I

Hurian Wang (arr. Xuefei Yang) - Yi Dance

Shades of Andalucia - I

Isaac Albéniz (arr. Xuefei Yang) - Sevilla, from Suite española, Op. 47

Along the Silk Road - II

Yong Ning (arr. Xuefei Yang) - Camel Bells Along the Silk Road

Shades of Andalucia - II

Sabicas - Zapateado