Ma Xiaohui At Ramsey Auditorium - Performance Review by Ken

The above is the photo of Ken and his wife with Ms. Ma Xiao Hui.

The following article is the review written by Kent Qualter, music columnist , published for "City NewsHound" Chicago :-

There are a lot of very good musicians in the world. There are actually a lot of great musicians around. But there is another level of musicianship and talent above that where the club becomes much more elite. Musicians who have such a natural ease and affinity with their instruments that it seems that they were born with them. Their instruments are merely an extension of their bodies. Ma Xiaohui would appear to be such a musician.

Ma Xiaohui is a virtuoso on the erhu. The erhu is an ancient Chinese traditional instrument. It might be described as a two string violin. It can be bowed or plucked. Tonally, it sounds like a violin, although it can also produce a more reedy quality, sounding like a violin blended with a bagpipe or clarinet. At other times it sounds almost like a flute. The erhu has a pretty amazing tonal and dynamic range.

Ms. Ma is already a star in China where she has received numerous awards and performs in the most prestigious venues. During the past decade she has performed over 500 concerts with the worlds most renowned orchestras and musicians throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas. She is best known in the United States for her deeply moving duet with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on the Oscar winning soundtrack of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

Ma Xiaohui performed at Ramsey Auditorium at Fermilab on Saturday, August 1. She was accompanied by pianist Erika Tam-Wang, cellist Mark Lekas, and percussionist Matthew Coley. The format changed between solo, duo, trio, and quartet. The three stellar musicians provided a very sympathetic accompaniment for Ms. Ma. Ms. Tam-Wang played with a style and grace that earned her a solo performance on "Dance Of Spring."

The program showcased the range and musical tastes of Ma Xiaohui. It included an Egyptian folk song, a piece by J. S. Bach, "My Way," a piece by South American composer Astor Piazzola, traditional and contemporary Chinese music, and an original composition, "The Spirit of My Erhu." The encore consisted of a waltz and a tango. The modern Chinese music was particularly interesting. It seemed to be a fusion of Western classical and Chinese ideas.

I would guess that her accompanists were playing primarily fixed parts, while Ms. Ma had much more freedom to improvise. She is a very expressive performer, evoking everything from profound sorrow to joy to humor (her musical argument with the cello during "My Way.") There is a very romantic quality to her playing. Stylistically, there were traces of jazz, Celtic, and gypsy music in her solos, as well as classical and Oriental. She also incorporated birdcalls and the sounds of a horse whinnying into her performance. While animal calls are nothing new, to incorporate them so seamlessly into a solo requires extraordinary talent.

Ma Xiaohui takes great pride in her Chinese heritage and culture. But she also embraces the other cultures she comes into contact with. She performs with style, and grace, and a wonderful sense of humor. She is a marvelous ambassador for the Chinese people and a rising star in the musical universe.

Ma Xiaohui will be performing at the UIC Forum on Sunday, August 9, at 2 PM. Call 312-413-9875 for ticket information

Sweet Temptation from the Far East - Ma Xiaohui

Review on the Conclusion of the Work Concert Series with Ma Xiaohui on the Chinese and Ola Rudner on the European Violin – Württemberg Philharmonic Orchestra Reutlingen


Sweet Temptation from the Far East


With a shining red kimono and a towering hairstyle splendor, Ma Xiaohui left no doubt at all, already from an optical viewpoint, that she was going to bring a good portion of China to the List concert hall. In fact, she did so on Friday evening in her performance with the Württemberg Philharmonic Orchestra in the last Work Concert of the Series. And with an “erhu,” a kind of Chinese violin. A long, thin stem sits on a tiny, thickset body that is covered – animal welfarists, please, try not to listen for a moment! – by a snake skin.

“Small, but oho! A mighty midget“ one would like to say. For the fragile looking instrument that, like a mini cello, vertically standing is being played with its body on the lab, enfolds a breathtaking richness of sounds. The wide range stretches from a dark-melancholic, cello-like murmur to very lively whirling dance motives. Powerful melodious sequences alternate with powder of stars in the highest skies. There is no problem for the pretty Chinese to stand up to the orchestra And the audience was there marveling.


This evening a Chinese presented herself that is definitively open to the West. Moderator Tobias Grauer was clearly right by pointing to the soundtrack of the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” in order to introduce the virtuoso to the audience. Admittedly, Ma Xiaohui began her own composition “The Spirit of My Erhu” with abstract tone landscapes, whose tentative sounds again and again break out of the usual European semitone scale.

A touch of “Bollywood”

Yet, amidst the mythical strangeness the soloist threw a melody that was so catchy and emotional like the brochure for vacation in China. And one found oneself in the genre that mixes Far-Eastern folklore with Western classical music and a bit Pop. Just a kind of Chinese “Bollywood” if one wishes.

Also her second piece “Shepherdess in the Tianshan Mountains,” presented now in a snow-white kimono, was devoured by the audience like honey. This own composition displayed a lot of temperament and fascinated by its changes from poetic tender to go-getting parts. Much applause!


[Photo: Art in Kimono: Ma Xiaohui with the Chinese violin “Erhu.”]
Reutlinger Generalanzeiger, 16 June 2009.
Review on the Work Concert of the Württemberg Philharmonic Orchestra Reutlingen
Fairytales and Myths

From a fairytale East came the music of the guest soloist Ma Xiaohui. The world-renowned virtuoso on the Chinese Erhu, a kind of two-string, delicate knee-cello with a long stem and a resonance body covered by snake skin, played her own compositions: “The Spirit of My Erhu” and “Shepherdess in the Tianshan Mountains.”


Singing Strings and Gentle Voice


As the first began with micro intervals and a subtle art of tone colors and then led to global Neo-Romantic, a similar pattern evolved in the second: Playful precluding followed very expressive singing of the strings and a crescendo finale.


Touching was the moment when Ma Xiaohui complemented the singing of the wailing strings with her own gentle voice: the spirit of the erhu – the essence of the human voice.


[Photo: Guest soloist at the Work Concert of the Philharmonic Orchestra – the erhu-player Ma Xiaohui]


Reutlinger Nachrichten, 15 June 2009.

Ma XiaoHui Is Dior's Famous Artist Image in China !

Hello ! You may go to http://asiancemagazine.com/ and http://asiancemagazine.com/jan_2009/musician_and_composer_ma_xiaohui for the latest news of Ma Xiaohui at Asiance Magazine !

Musician and composer Ma Xiaohui

One of China’s few first-class traditional artists, embracing a two-decade international career, renowned Shanghai Erhu musician and composer Ma Xiaohui is “an artist who speaks with the world through Erhu.” Raised in an academic family, she graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Ma Xiaohui is artistic advisor to the Shanghai Grand Theater, a member of the United Nations Oriental Art Center, and served as “Love Ambassador” for the World Special Olympics held in Shanghai (October 2007) – where she tutored young Olympian Qiao Meili on Erhu for the Flame Lighting opening ceremony. Past concertmaster to the Shanghai Traditional Orchestra, and an adjunct professor at Southwest Jiaotong University, she also serves as adviser to the Hong Kong Youth Music Association.

Additionally, Ma Xiaohui serves as Education Advisor to the Shanghai Grand Theatre Education Center. Awarded the First Prize for the National Guangdong Music Competition, the Baosteel Classic Arts Award, and First Prize for the first Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, she has also appeared as the first Chinese traditional performer in numerous major world festivals. Ma Xiaohui is perhaps most readily recognized for her duet with famed cellist Yo- Yo Ma on the Oscar-winning soundtrack for the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Indeed millions of us have heard the sounds of her music and have been moved by the emotional power of her playing, giving little thought as to who the artist is. Yes, millions of us have heard Xiaohui Ma playing on the Oscar winning soundtrack of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and felt our emotions rising and falling as Ms Ma's Erhu weeps and laughs with the Cello of Yo-Yo Ma.

Ma had her New York debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Hall this past June and performed to a rapturous audience. She returned to NYC this past November to give a lecture and to perform a recital at the United Nations. Ms Ma's lecture was on the healing power of music as well as on the history of the Erhu and its role in the cultural development of China.

It is of note that Tan Dun, the famed Chinese composer, sent a letter of support that he asked to be read during her Carnegie Weill Hall performance in lieu of his attendance. In the letter, Mr. Dun stated: “Ms. Ma, you are truly one of the most talented young musicians of our time and you have made it your challenge to transform the Erhu from being an instrument only associated with traditionally Chinese music to one recognized on the great stages of the world as a bona fide classical instrument.” He added: “Your talent and virtuosity was evident to me . . . and your ability to caress the most exquisite sounds from the Erhu is demonstration of a rare talent.” Proud of its national treasure, the Chinese government in 2000 presented Ma Xiaohui as Cultural Ambassador in Shanghai’s successful bid for the 2010 World Exposition.

Recently, Ma Xiaohui was selected to become the new Dior “famous artist image” in China. This is the first time in the history of Dior that a Chinese artist virtuoso was chosen to be their cosmetics face for China. Dior posters portray a beautiful image of Ma Xiaohui with her darling Erhu, reflecting something of her charm and unique musical ability. We spoke to Ma after her performance at Carnegie Hall.

Many More Ma Xiaohui's Video Links

You can find many more Ma Xiaohui's Videos at the following Links :-

http://www.openv.com/play/SHDongFangTVprog_20080207_2774448.html
看东方（上）

http://www.openv.com/play/SHDongFangTVprog_20080208_2776162.html
看东方（下）

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYIOqUdCI5E
夜深沉（法国巴黎版）

http://you.joy.cn/video/1825.htm
夜深沉（非常有戏版）

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur2EgsmbVUM&feature=related
夜深沉（梨花开 新加坡版）

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur2EgsmbVUM&feature=related
梁祝+赛马（新加坡版）

http://www.56.com/u97/v_MjAzNjY4OTQ.html
春江花月夜（世博宣传版）

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA0OTcwOTI=.html
草原赛马（世博宣传版）

http://www.56.com/u79/v_MjExMzAxODg.html
申报贺词

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/xN5LiWauLsM/
美国之行，华盛顿故居，美国万花筒

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA0ODg4NTI=.html
欢乐歌（金色大厅）

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA0OTAwNTI=.html
江南小镇（MTV）

http://v.ku6.com/show/GgWhlQEIT7xSw2cz.html
快乐在一起

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA1NTM2Mjg=.html
兰花花（希腊版）

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_cf00XMzA0OTUzNjg=.html
天山牧羊女（MTV）
http://www.56.com/u38/v_MzEwNDk2ODM.html
我的道路（MTV）

http://v.ku6.com/show/TsSJqmSXDB5MmfnU.html
弦之炼

http://www.56.com/u21/v_MzEwNTAwMTg.html
红衣女郎—探戈

http://you.video.sina.com.cn/b/12092605-1366285142.html
成吉思汗

http://news.joy.cn/ent/video/95796.htm
二胡与世界握手（虹桥专场）新闻报道

http://www.sinovision.net/news.php?act=details&col_id=6&news_id=47760
卡内基赈灾音乐会前序报道（美国中文网）

http://www.56.com/u62/v_OTY4ODQz.html
琴韵（MTV）

http://video.baidu.com/t?di=496613041_496612997&pos=52&word=%C2%ED%CF%FE%EA%CD
弦之魅，琴之韵 上图05年讲座

Ma Xiaohui at Femina Magazine

Remember that came back from Carnegie Hall not long ago, I was busy in many different media publicity. Now I just came back from the South African, I received a gift from the magazine.To my surprise, it was my interview publications.

Now share with you.

Review of the Concert with the Wuerttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn

Review of the Concert with the Wuerttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn on March 17, 2007 in Uster, Switzerland

Warming up the souls with the sounds from the Far East

To conclude the concert season of the KGU (Concert Community Uster), the Wuerttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn and the Erhu Artist Ma Xiaohui presented an accomplished musical evening in the music hall of the city (Stadthofsaal).

Once again, with its concert of last Saturday, the KGU has fully succeeded in combining the unknown with the known. Well-known works of Janacek and Dvorak formed the pillars of a program that featured, as its centerpiece, the encounter with Chinese music. Thereby, Ma Xiaohui, the soloist of the concert with her extraordinary virtuosity as well as charme who has been performing all over the world, understands herself as an ambassador of this unknown part embedded in the known.

A new world of sounds is opening in a miraculous fashion. It seems fair to say that barely anyone in the audience, before the concert, could have formed a clear idea about the sound of a Chinese violin, the so-called erhu. Mere descriptions can tell only little about the expressive power of an instrument that, with only two strings and a relatively small box of resonance, gives the impression of tonal modesty without big influence.

All the bigger is the surprise when the magician of sounds Ma Xiaohui, entirely in sync with her instrument and revealing the adaptable nature of the erhu, immerses the audience in a new musical world. While exotic, yet very close and fascinating is her play so that one could hear a needle falling down to the floor in the concert hall.

(About Wuerttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn)
(About the conductor Ruben Gazarian)

March 19, 2007

Zuercher Oberlaender and Anzeiger von Uster

From Newspaper Reviews on Ma Xiaohui’s Performances

From Newspaper Reviews on Ma Xiaohui’s Performances


The beautiful musician Ma Xiaohui conjured up from her instrument erhu smoothly articulated melodies, decorated with powerful vibrati, harsh tremoli, and an excited expressivo.

Bremen Daily, 16 November 1998


In the erhu concerto with the China National Symphony Orchestra, the soloist Ma Xiaohui elicited from the simple, tiny instrument unexpectedly powerful sounds and a big variety of tones, without using a microphone.

Nuremberg News, 23 November 1998


From her two string instrument, Ma Xiaohui produced with her nimble bow a charming delicacy for eyes and ears.

Nuremberg Evening Post, 23 November 1998


One lingering note, though, will convince you that to hear Ma Xiaohui at work is worth a sacrifice and more. From a tiny voice-box attached to a two-foot finger-board, the sound vibrated by a loose-strung bow; she drew a kind of alto human voice bereft of words, but given song - the power, in this case, to lament. It was, indeed, so like singing purged of unintentional impurity, its sounds so culture-free and universal, that Ma Xiaohui’s gift, and vibrant musicality, shone out on us like light.

The Oxford Times Weekend, 27 November 1998


The incredibly poised soloist was the erhu virtuoso Ma Xiaohui, who produced a stream of mellow tone and also displayed the sunnier side of her instrument.

The Times, 26 November 1998


Electric guitars may rule the hearts of Chinese teens these days, but no other instrument is more entangled with the history of China’s 20th century than the erhu. And few can make the classical two-stringed instrument cry, plead, wail, soar, and tremble like 30-something year old virtuoso Ma Xiaohui hailed by critics as one of the leading erhu players of her generation.

Shanghai Talk, January 2000

Many friends of music didn’t know the sound of erhu and thought that Chinese music is not necessarily suitable for European ears. However, the visitors of this concert were surprised in a most positive way.

The artist (Ma Xiaohui) played with virtuosity and in a sensitive and subtle manner and brought music to life out of passed-on legends, ballads and gentle poems.

It was amazing how harmoniously both artists (Ma Xiaohui and Tim Ovens) played together, and the audience got to appreciated the well-arranged program nurtured from two cultures. At the end, both musicians were highly acclaimed, thanking with encores.

Marbacher Zeitung, 24 June 2000

Contrasts in Harmony
The piano was played by the ascetic-like Tim Ovens; behind the erhu was a perfectly smiling Ma Xiaohui. ... Already after the first notes it was clear that this lady had a masterly charisma that carried the music, whatever music.

Nürnberger Nachrichten, 5 July 2000


Ma Xiaohui is utterly devoted to the erhu, determined to strengthen its image, expand its repertoire, and build its audience. “People always say erhu is very sad. But, I say it’s very warm instead. I think it’s a lot like Chinese people - smart, difficult, sensitive. Erhu is not perfect - we don’t have four strings like a violin. But, it can occupy your heart.”

“My instrument is like a free ticket to fly around the world. I have met so many different people. I have seen hug differences in many cultures,” Ma says. “But, as human beings, I have not seen many differences. When I feel people can understand me - read me through my music - it is so wonderful.”

International Herald Tribune, December 27, 2000


Ma Xiaohui proved to be a magnificent erhu player who, as if by magic, produced out of the two strings fantastic sound effects. With much vibrato and glissando, she depicted the vocal melodies and with just as much sensitivity and temperament she expressed the poesy of the pieces and her joy of life. Li Biao created an atmospherically dense and harmonious backdrop with his subtle marimba or vibraphone sounds, entered the dialogues of melodies and, when necessary, played powerful rolls on the drums.

Ingolstadt, Donaukurier, 16 July 2001


Ma Xiaohui offered an equally virtuoso and multifaceted sample of her artistic skills and feelings. With her bamboo bow the Chinese musician elicited from the two string of the instrument an immense array of sounds from vital expressive power to wistful tones. Li Biao at his percussion instruments proved to be a sensitive and congenial music partner.

Bonn, General-Anzeiger, 7/8 July 2001


One got almost startled by the powerful sound of the instrument that reminds of a human voice and how this is able to express itself emotionally. Ma Xiaohui masters, with virtuosity, the big range of emotions from a completely intimate conversation with oneself to the wild dance and speaks through her instrument to the public very directly.

Amazing what dynamic range of tones and expressions Ma Xiaohui can bring out from her instrument; there were trills and tremolos, finest pianissimi, wild and sonorous attacks and a kind of flageolet, but also defiance and roguish charm, as if somebody was singing all her emotions and impressions to herself.

With J. S. Bach she too built a bridge to the West: his famous Air of the Third Orchestra Suite came to bear with astonishing purity and big legato - she played almost without stopping the bow - and everybody listened deeply impressed.

St. Galler Nachrichten (Switzerland), 14 January 2004


For the Chinese Ma Xiaohui, the erhu is more than just an instrument: She responded to the long and enthusiastic applause in her very personal language. In her solo encores, she brings together natural sounds and elaborated art, singing birds and Bach, in a very natural and expressive manner.

St. Galler Tagblatt (Switzerland), 10 January 2004