Min Xiao-Fen

Min Xiao Fen from Nanching, China, is a major performer on the Chinese lute-like stringed instrument called the pi'pa, and an exponent of traditional and classical Chinese music who has played with major orchestras throughout the world. She is also a gifted improvisor and composer of experimental music who has performed with such avant-garde instrumentalists as John Zorn, Derek Bailey, George Lewis, Ned Rothenberg, and Randy Weston. Her performance which exhibits her exquisite, flawless technique, begins with the traditional instrumental "Flower Falling on Green Grass". She then sings a traditional folk tune "Send Me A Rose" in a voice filled with gentle but heart-rending pathos. This segues directly into her original composition "Cold Fire", a spine-tingling improvisation on a second pi'pa equipped with a mov-
able bamboo bridge. After her brilliant performance, she discusses the history and construction of the ancient pi'pa, the Chinese nomenclature of contrasting physical materials used in musical instruments, and explains her attitude concerning the situation of constantly traveling about the world giving concerts. Click here to view clip.