Hong-Mei Xiao

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Hong-Mei Xiao
Hong-mei xiao photo1.jpg
Hong-Mei Xiao
Background information
Born Qingdao, China
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)Musician and Educator
Instrument Viola
Labels Naxos Records
Websitewww.hongmeixiao.com

Hong-Mei Xiao is a Chinese-born American violist. [1] [2] She won first prize at the Geneva International Music Competition, and is a recipient of the Patek Philippe Grand Prize. Hong-Mei Xiao's career as an international soloist comprises critically acclaimed performances in major concert halls and with orchestras of great distinction throughout the world. An award winning recording artist, her CDs have been released by labels such as Delos Productions and Naxos Records. [3] [4] She was also honored as a United States Artistic Ambassador.

Contents

Early life and studies

Hong-Mei Xiao grew up in a musical family. Her father, the renowned composer Xiao Heng, [5] [6] provided her early violin training. Her mother, Guifang Sui, was a music teacher. Throughout her youth she performed in various public venues in China. She attended the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, graduating with highest honors. Xiao received the Asian Cultural Council Award in 1984. She continued her musical training with violist John Graham [7] in the United States, and received her Master of Music degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Career

Performer

Hong-Mei Xiao has toured throughout Europe, North and South America, and Asia as a soloist, performing in major concert halls such as:

She has appeared as a soloist with renowned orchestras including:

Playing style

Xiao’s playing style has been referred to by critics as masterful, spectacular, virtuosic, brilliant, expressive, energetic, intelligent, precise, and soulful. Stylistic critiques include:

Instruments

Xiao's primary performance instrument is a viola made by Mantegazza in 1796 in Milan, Italy.

Discography

A partial list of her recordings includes:

Notable awards and recognitions

References

  1. "Hong-Mei Xiao".
  2. Barker, Scott (September 2017). "Singing With Strings". Tucson Lifestyle. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  3. Nemet, Mary (July 2018). "English Works for Viola & Orchestra". Strings. p. 67. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  4. "Hong-Mei Xiao: Bax, Walton and Vaughan Williams". Strad. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  5. Xiao Heng at IMDb
  6. Xiao, Heng. Remotest Ocean of Greenery, Composer Heng Xiao, Performance by Xingang Wang, et al., 1979. OCLC   819640832.
  7. Graham, John. "John Graham, Violist".
  8. Trygstad, Alexander (2018). "English Works for Viola and Orchestra" (PDF). Journal of the American Viola Society. p. 44. Retrieved 12 January 2021.