Description

“Asian Soundscapes” is directed and composed by virtuoso Chinese pipa player and singer Min Xiao-Fen, joined by Mari Ohta, a sensational Japanese koto player, and Amy Xin Yin, a rising voice in contemporary percussion. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, Min crafts soundscapes where ancient strings echo through modern rhythms, flowing with the harmony of the seasons to weave emotion, balance, and drama into a seamless journey of sound. Together, the trio bridges tradition and innovation, guiding listeners through a landscape where past and present sing as one.

Few artists have done more to both honor and reinvent the 2000-year history of the pipa than soloist, vocalist and composer Min Xiao-Fen. Classically trained in her native China, she served as a principal pipa soloist at Nanjing Traditional Music Orchestra and was an in-demand interpreter of traditional music before relocating to the United States and forging a new path for her instrument alongside many of the leading lights in modern jazz, free improvisation, experimental and contemporary classical music. NPR Weekend Edition lauded Ms. Min as “one of the world’s greatest virtuosos” and JazzTimes hailed her as “a pioneer in integrating her ancient instrument with modern jazz and improvised music.” The New York Times raved that her singular work “has traversed a sweeping musical odyssey.” In 2023, Min received a prestigious commission from the Smithsonian Institution to compose scores for two historical Chinese silent films from the 1920s, “Romance of the Fruit Peddler” and “Romance of the Western Chamber”. The scores premiered in May 2023 with percussionist River Guerguerian, also recorded for the album “Metta,” released at the Big Ears