World-Renowned Virtuoso

Liu Fang

Master of the Pipa & Guzheng

"A mesmerizing blend of ancient Chinese tradition and breathtaking virtuosity — one of the most celebrated pipa and guzheng performers of our time."

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Biography

The Artist

Artist Photo
Liu Fang playing pipa

Liu Fang — Pipa & Guzheng Virtuoso

Born in Kunming, Yunnan, China, Liu Fang is one of the most internationally acclaimed virtuosos of the pipa (Chinese lute) and guzheng (Chinese zither). Now based in Montréal, Canada, she has captivated audiences across the globe with her profound musicality, technical brilliance, and deeply expressive interpretations.

Liu Fang began studying the pipa at the age of six and gave her first public performance at age nine. She went on to study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music before bringing her art to the international stage. Her repertoire spans classical Chinese masterpieces, contemporary works, and cross-cultural collaborations.

She has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including the BBC Proms, the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, the Salle Gaveau, and at major events across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her recordings have earned rave reviews and numerous awards for their sublime beauty and emotional depth.

12+
Albums Released
40+
Countries Performed
30+
Years of Artistry

Press & Reviews

Critical Acclaim

"One musician, but ten talented fingers"
— Sir Ian McKellen at the BBC Concert
"Liu Fang is a master of her instruments. Her playing is ethereal — a perfect balance of technical precision and profound emotion that transports the listener to another realm."
— Le Monde de la Musique, France
"Possessing virtuoso technique and a deeply poetic sensibility, Liu Fang ranks among the finest interpreters of traditional Chinese music on the world stage today."
— fRoot Magazine (Music magazine, UK)
"... Liu Fang’s total devotion to her playing has moved her beyond perfect execution to the creativity and flexibility that marks a true musician. ... "
— Andrew Cronshaw, fROOTS Magazine, UK
"An extraordinary artist whose music bridges East and West with grace, power, and an unmistakable voice that resonates long after the final note fades."
— Le Monde, France

Discography

Albums

The Soul of Pipa Vol 1
Liu Fang’s trilogy: The Soul of Pipa Vol. 1-3
2001-2006
Solo pipa albums featuring classical masterpieces with breathtaking virtuosity; A definitive solo archive that traces the historical journey of the pipa, mapping its evolution from centuries-old anonymous court masterpieces to early 20th-century classical structures and vibrant, regional folk roots.
Amazon Apple Music Bandcamp
Guzheng solo album
Emerging Lotus: Chinese Traditional Guzheng Music
2006
An exquisite collection of classical and folkloric Chinese pieces performed with masterful technique, emotional depth, and serene, meditative grace.
Amazon Apple Music
pipa and guitar duo album
Changes - Duo Pipa & Guitar (with Irish classical guitarist Michael O'Toole)
2008
A groundbreaking cross-cultural dialogue that seamlessly blends the crystalline, sharp voice of the Chinese pipa with the warm, rich textures of the Western classical guitar.
Amazon Apple Music
pipa and violin duo album
Along The Way - An Avant-Garde Meeting of Traditions
2010
Released as a double-CD, Along The Way captures a daring, boundary-pushing musical encounter between two distinct cultures and generations. Pipa virtuoso Liu Fang joins forces with New York violinist Malcolm Goldstein, an internationally renowned maestro of freestyle improvisation. The album dissolves the borders between East and West, ancient and modern, composition and improvisation. Alternating between spellbinding improvised duets and profound solo tracks, the two musicians perform as musical soulmates. Together, they pull down stylistic barriers to craft a mesmerizing, unpredictable, and adventurous sonic journey.
Amazon Spotify Bandcamp
pipa and oud duo album
Arabic and Chinese Music - A Cross-Cultural Journey Along the Silk Road
2000
Released in 2000, Arabic and Chinese Music documents a groundbreaking musical encounter between pipa virtuoso Liu Fang and Syrian-born, Berlin-based oud master Farhan Sabbagh. This captivating duo album builds a bridge between two of the world's oldest lute traditions, mapping a modern sonic path along the ancient Silk Road.Through a brilliant mix of traditional themes and spontaneous, intuitive improvisations, the duo blends the delicate, crisp poetry of the Chinese pipa with the warm, deep resonances of the Arabic oud. The resulting dialogue is a seamless fusion of maqam modal frameworks and traditional Chinese pentatonic structures, offering listeners an intimate, beautifully balanced masterclass in intercultural harmony.
Amazon Apple Music

Listen & Watch

Music & Video

Audio Samples
  • Song of the Frontier (塞上曲)
    Classical pipa (re-arranged for pipa and guitar duo) — serene & contemplative
    7:25
  • High Mountain, Flowing Water (高山流水)
    Guzheng solo — timeless beauty
    5:51
  • Ambush from Ten Sides (十面埋伏)
    Traditional pipa masterpiece — virtuosic & dramatic
    5:29

CD online purchase available www.liufangmusic.net


Performance Videos


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