Emerging from the twilight of Chinaβs Cultural Revolution, a period where Western musical instruments and music were banned, Xuefei Yang was the first guitarist ever admitted to a Chinese conservatoire. At ten, her debut recital won her a concert guitar from the Spanish Ambassador; at fourteen, JoaquΓn Rodrigo attended her Madrid concert, and Sir John Williams gifted two of his own instruments to Beijingβs Central Conservatoire for her studies.
She has since captivated audiences in over fifty countriesβ including appearances at Carnegie Hall and the BBC Proms βand has collaborated with Ian Bostridge, Roberto Alagna, Sir James Galway, and major orchestras worldwide.
Classic FM named her one of the 100 Top Classical Musicians of Our Time, and BBC Music Magazine ranks her among the Top Six Guitarists of the Century.
From pioneering cross-cultural commissions to reimagining ancestral melodies, Xuefei Yang continues to expand the guitarβs horizons with every note. Donβt miss your chance to witness her in βWhat a Wonderful World!ββan event that will linger in memory long after the final note.
βWhat a Wonderful World!β is a sonic odyssey that carries you across continents, eras, and styles.
Drawing on her depth of expression and adventurous spirit, Xuefei opens with the fiery flamenco of AlbΓ©nizβs Asturias, immediately igniting the stage. Youβll then wander the bohemian streets of Paris in Satieβs intimate Gnossienne No. 3 and playful La Diva de lβEmpire, before journeying to the Far East with Sakamotoβs haunting Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and Xuefeiβs own Xinjiang Fantasy, an evocative piece infused with traditional melodies.
Feel the heartbeat of South America as Manuel Ponceβs Estrellita and Scherzino Mexicano give way to Piazzollaβs stormy La muerte del Γ‘ngel. The mood shifts to Brazilβs golden coast in BonfΓ‘βs ManhΓ£ de Carnaval and Jobimβs wistful A felicidade, then swings into New York jazz clubs with Garnerβs Misty, Kernβs Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, and Strayhornβs spirited Take the βAβ Train. Finally, surrender to the moonlit romance of TΓ‘rregaβs Recuerdos de la Alhambra and the dawn-fresh melodies of PeΓ±aβs El Nuevo DΓa, bringing this journey full circle.
Donβt miss this transcultural celebrationβreserve your seat now and experience why critics hail Xuefei Yang as one of todayβs most thrilling guitarists.
You may also like the following events from Concerts in America:
Also check out other
Music events in San Francisco,
Entertainment events in San Francisco,
Concerts in San Francisco.