We build a bridge between classical and improvisational art.

Melodies that heal weary souls,

Pausing in life, surrendering to gentleness, peace and serenity,

We listen, perceive and resonate,

Experiencing a profound purification within the body and mind.

Workshop I:  19:45-21:45, May 6th, 2024 (Mon.)

* Participants should have some knowledge of musical instruments.

Workshop II: 19:00-21:00, May 7th, 2024 (Tue.)

* Participants should have some knowledge of dance or poetry recitation. 

Improvisational Music Concert: 19:00-21:30, May 8th, 2024 (Wed.)

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* Prior to the event, you will have opportunities to gain additional musical knowledge and communicate with Ms. Xu Fengxia. Participants will also have the opportunity to perform on stage together during the Improvisational Music Concert.

Xu Fengxia is a leading player of guzheng, sanxian and a singer. She is a classical and pioneering artist in combining Chinese music with improvisation and jazz. Born in Shanghai, she began to play Chinese string instruments at the age of 7. Because of her exceptional talent, she was accepted to study at the renowned Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Xu Fengxia learnt to play the guzheng, sanxian, guqin and liuqin, which enabled her to perform solo concerts with traditional Chinese music on four different instruments. She was invited to give solo recitals in Beijing and Singapore. After graduating, she joined the famous Shanghai Orchestra for Traditional Chinese Music. As a sanxian soloist in this orchestra, she toured Germany as early as 1987. Meanwhile, Xu Fengxia also got involved in Rock music when she played the guitar in Shanghai’s first Lady Rockband. She played the sanxian solo part in an orchestra for sanxian and symphony orchestra in 1986. After having moved to Germany in 1991, Xu Fengxia began to discover new musical ideas and materials. She started a second career as an improvising musician and a third career as a soloist in contemporary classical music. A main influence on her was the her cooperation with the late Peter Kowald, a world-famous bass player and improvising artist. Xu Fengxia, Peter Kowald and Gunda Gottschalk were the core-group of an ensemble called "Global Village". Global Village performed at many festivals all over the world and worked with various guests such as Sainko Naymtchilak and Otomo Yoshilde. Xu Fengxia developed her own personal style, combining a traditional sounds all over the world with more abstract and avant-garde materials. She mainly uses the 21-string guzheng in her concerts and has started to use her beautiful voice in many contexts. Some Jazz or improvising musicians she has worked with include Baby Sommer, Peter Brötzmann, Lucas Niggli, and many more. Xu Fengxia has also played contemporary compositions with some renowned European orchestras such as the Orchestra of Bavarian Radio, Ensemble Recherche, Nieuw Ensemble Amsterdam and Neue Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. She has performed in many countries, including France, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, South Korea, China, Canada, Singapore, Luxembourg and the United States.

Significant achievements:

In 1985, she won the Second Prize in the Shanghai Young Performers Competition.

In 2002, she recorded the programme "Xu Fengxia: 30 Years of Artistic Career" for German Southwest Radio.

In November 2008, she was interviewed by Austrian Radio for the programme "Improvisation music aus China Interview mit Xu Fengxia."

In May 2009, her CD "Black Lotus" won the highest record award in Germany.

In October 2009, she was honoured with the highest jazz award in Germany, "Essen Jazzpott," becoming the first Chinese avant-garde ethnic free improvisation musician to receive this award.

On October 5, 2012, she appeared on "Chinese World" programme of CCTV 4, episode 200, China Showbiz.