Liu
Fang
Discographies
Chinese
pipa
music, guzheng
music and world music from the classical and folkloric traditions
(Online order is available)
1. Solo albums
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This Album features 10 pipa solo pieces performed by Liu Fang as part of the series - “Soul of pipa (1)” (2001) representing the most ancient classical repertoire for which composers remains anonyms, “Soul of pipa (2)” (2003) reflecting the time evolution of classical repertoire from the ancient traditions to the recent compositions, and the present volume stressing on the various folk roots from different parts of China. |
The soul
of pipa, vol. 3
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"... This is why listening to Liu Fang, true master of Chinese music, one experiences both pleasure and relief at the great music and poetry that she attains with her exquisite playing of the guzheng; through the beauty and lyrical expressiveness she attains, far from being confined to a dusty past, her personal interpretations lead to the discovery of a wide ranging diversity of melodies and sounds, while keeping faithful to a tradition that is thousands of years old." - Lucie Rault, Musée de l'Homme, Paris. |
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"This CD is a veritable feast of alluring sounds, ranging from the eloquent
and lyrical to the flamboyant and percussive. The varied soundscape
produced by one player and one instrument is quite dazzling. Liu Fang’s
masterly technique (e.g. tremolo, delicate harmonics, lyrical tunes,
and boisterous percussive effects), as well as the music itself - which
is based on short sections characterized by ever-changing tempos and
dynamics - all evoke an improvised and exciting quality. ... Definitely
a CD to enrich anyone’s musical palette and provide a sample of
China’s rich musical heritage, ..." |
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 More
about the pieces and music samples...Label: Philmultic, released on October 24, 2001 |
"... a virtuoso player of the pipa (and no slouch on the guzheng
zither), as ably displayed on this CD of time-worn compositions from
back home. She shifts nimbly from sparse passages that allow the pipa’s
sharp tones to blossom and breathe, to blistering runs that, in their
density, would make flamenco masters weep. |
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"... The way the basic themes are ornamented seem to reflect the structure of nature or -- as it would be called much later - fractal geometry, producing endless fascination. Out of Liu's fingers ooze serenity, precision and beauty. Highly recommended... " (More ...) |
2.
Duet and ensembles
Traditional, classical, contemporary and beyond
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From Chinese traditional music to avant-garde freestyle improvisation, with two extraordinary artists of different cultures and even different generations - "There is nothing tentative or hesitant in these artists' explorations. Instead, there is grace, generosity and passion in abundance." (more ...) |
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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 shows how successful this combination can be in the hands of two such talented performers. |
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"... a delicately embroidered album that reveals a remarkable cogency between instruments worlds apart..." - Mondomix, 2006. "... Each dialogue produces an aesthetic giddiness comparable to that Buddhist paintings express. All project us beyond the feelings of anger, of joy or of pain, and bring us closer to a source of universal serenity." - Les Inrockuptibles, 2006 |
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"... l’une des meilleures flûtistes que le Québec
ait produite, ... s’adjoint ici une virtuose étoile de
deux instruments à cordes de la tradition chinoise, ... Tantôt
en solo, tantôt ensemble, elles égrènent des mélodies
(bravo à la preneuse de son!) qui, non, ne sonnent pas toutes
pareilles quand on se donne la peine de les écouter. Climat impressionniste
et effet antistress garanti. Les variations sur «Greensleeves»,
... sont ravissantes." [... one of the best
flutists Quebec has produced, ... collaborates here with a virtuoso
star of two string instruments of the Chinese tradition, ... Sometimes
in solo, sometimes together, they deliver the melodies (bravo to the
wonderful recording!) ... Impressionist atmosphere and antistress (relaxing)
effect guaranteed. Variations on "Greensleeves", ... are ravissantes.]
-
L'actualité,
2004; |
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"... De la délicate poésie lyrique aux violents et
dramatiques récits militaires, les musiciens ont offert hier
aux festivaliers de place D'YouviUe une remontée dans le temps
et un voyage ?travers des parfums d'Orient tantôt subtils, tantôt
emplissant le lieu de riches effluves. ..." |
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