“The sound of her erhu tells stories that we all can understand. With just two strings, she paints images and scenes that words cannot describe.” This sentiment was expressed by a UN based journalist, after attending the concert of renowned erhu player Xiaohui Ma on October 9.
That evening, in the delegates’ dining room on the fourth floor of the UN headquarters in New York, the internationally renowned Chinese Shanghai-style erhu artist, educator, and composer Professor Xiaohui Ma successfully held a crossover erhu concert themed “New Musical Wave, New Cultural Travel”, aiming to convey the common emotions of “Beauty, Love, and Peace” through music. The performance was a resounding success.
This concert was a crucial stop in Ma’s U.S. tour. Diplomats, media reporters, social elites, and contestants from the World Madam Global Finals & Awards Ceremony in New York were deeply moved by the erhu’s magical charm!
The concert was a unique creation by Ma for the United Nations, aiming to convey “Beauty, Love, and Peace” with the original concept of ” An Erhu’s Resonance Across the World – New Musical Wave, New Cultural Travel”, showcasing the Eastern charm and warmth of Chinese music.
The concert was divided into a prologue, three thematic movements, and a finale. Starting with the “Silk Road Legend, Fragrant Soul” prologue, the mysterious curtain of the erhu’s “New Musical Wave” was unveiled with the piece “Woman Flower.” The first movement, “Beauty”, presented the “Belt and Road” as a “watercolor painting” through the erhu’s rendition of Chinese and Western classics. The second movement, “Love”, included pieces like “Butterfly Lovers,” “Quiet Night Thoughts,” a drama “Summer Days,” and a Teresa Teng medley, leaving the audience mesmerized. The third movement, “Harmony, Peace,” revisited her erhu performance from the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (which won the Oscar for Best Original Score) and allowed the audience to relive the classic duet of erhu and cello. The original erhu pieces “Motherland” and “Prairie Love Song” brought the atmosphere to a climax. The finale, “Country Roads,” left a lingering resonance, making the audience reluctant to leave.
Multimedia artist Ranjit Bhatnagar commented, “This beautiful and inspiring concert wonderfully blended classical, Chinese, and cross-cultural themes. It was a feast for the ears and soul. The performance was full of creativity, a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity, experimental and nostalgic, centered around her mastery of the instrument…”
“As a guitarist, I had the privilege of performing with erhu player Xiaohui Ma,” said guitarist Tim Kelly. “Her powerful, moving melodies inspired both me and the audience. It seems that in her hands, the erhu can melt the heart of every listener.”
“It was truly an honor to collaborate with her at the UN special concert on October 9th. It was a delightful conversation between Chinese and Western string music. Her performance has a distinct personality, with rich, delicate, and dynamic artistic expressions. This greatly impacts and motivates those who collaborate with her, captivating the audience, making them dance and sing along. This is the power and ability of an outstanding musician!” Testimony from New York-based young cellist Molly Aronson.
Influenced by the lively atmosphere at the venue, the 2023 World Madam Global Overall Champion, Sepideh Behboudi, danced joyfully to the music multiple times with other audience members.
“I really enjoyed it. Professor Ma is not only beautiful but her Erhu artistry is so exceptional that it took me by surprise,” Behboudi said.
That day, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting due to the conflict between Palestine and Israel. Some journalists had to leave the concert early for reporting duties. The French journalist, who insisted on being anonymous for attending the concern amid tight schedule, and reluctantly left early, commented, “Music can help heal the world. It’s one of the best mediums to resolve differences, misunderstandings, and promote friendship. With the magical language of the Erhu, Professor Ma conveyed the essence of Chinese civilization to the world at this critical moment, making it even more significant.”
Ma’s U.S. tour kicked off on September 17, primarily covering Music City Nashville, New York City, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The tour will continue until October 29.
According to Ma, this tour is not just about music. She has integrated music with mental health to provide a unique musical healing experience for the audience.
On October 13, Ma held a concert at the Belmont College of Music and Performing Arts, Nashville, initiating the global “Campus Tour” masterclass music appreciation lecture.
Through music appreciation and deep interactions with students, Ma explored the close relationship between music and mental health. The concert not only brought joy to the audience but also provided them with a new way of psychological healing.
John, who came from Canada specifically to attend the appreciation session, said to Ma, “The short Erhu performance contains such rich information that deeply touches my soul. From this perspective, the Erhu indeed has the magic to warm and heal the heart.”
Ross shared her feelings, “This is the first time I’ve heard a combination of Western instruments and the Erhu. It made the story more diverse and moving, evoking long-forgotten memories. It was a magical experience, like watching a movie, and I felt like I understood the whole story.”
Nashville is known as Music City and is recognized as the birthplace of country music in the U.S.
On October 21, Ma collaborated with the Middle Tennessee State University Symphony Orchestra for the year’s first symphonic concert. They beautifully performed the Erhu concerto “Tianshan Shepherdess,” transporting the audience to the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, as if seeing the blue sky, white clouds, and the kind-hearted shepherdess…
When the final note of Ma’s Erhu symphony “Ten Thousand Horses Galloping” fell, the audience gave a standing ovation, filling the hall with continuous applause and cheers.
That night, several American audience members eagerly interacted with Ma during the intermission, expressing that the performance was “spectacular,” “I loved it,” “It’s magical,” and “I was not familiar with this instrument before, but it’s truly captivating.”
Carol Nies, the Artistic Director of the Middle Tennessee State University Symphony Orchestra, remarked, “Professor Ma is exceptionally talented, fluent in English, and has a great rapport with the university orchestra students. Her Erhu performance shines like a diamond! Whether expressing through her musical lexicon or her spoken words, she is a rare international cultural ambassador. Her music not only quickly introduces the audience to Chinese culture but leaves an indelible impression in this hub of country music.”
She emotionally said to Ma, “This is my first time collaborating with the Erhu and conducting live. You are lovely, and the Erhu’s performance is enchanting. Working with you has been my honor and pleasure. Your Erhu performance is impressive, similar to the violin. Your music is like an ‘Eastern Gem’—perfect for our students. You’ve broadened their musical horizons and appreciation of Chinese music.”
The Nashville local audience and musicians are eagerly anticipating Ma’s performance on February 7 next year. She will be the only specially invited soloist to collaborate with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for their very first New Year “Year of the Dragon” symphony concert at the exquisite Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
It’s understood that Ma’s collaboration with the Middle Tennessee State University Symphony Orchestra will be the orchestra’s first concert this year. Sponsored by the University and the University’s Chinese Cultural Music Center, it’s also their first time collaborating with a musician for a concerto, especially with an erhu artist from China. After each rehearsal, the orchestra’s members expressed their enjoyment and enthusiasm with applause and foot stamping.
“Famous musicologist and renowned guzheng performer, Dr. Mei Han, Director of the Chinese Cultural Music Center at the Middle Tennessee State University, said, “Congratulations to erhu soloist Xiaohui Ma on the triumphant concert with our university’s symphony orchestra! The concert hall was packed, and the audience was deeply moved by Xiaohui’s music. Our center has once again brought high-quality Chinese music to the local American public. Thanks to the artist, and also to the local Chinese community for their strong support of last night’s concert.”
Audiences exclaimed that Ma’s erhu performance is an Eastern “miracle” and a shining “diamond” of Eastern music. Her music is not just an enjoyment but also an education. It broadens the cultural and musical horizons of the campus and students, enabling them to better understand the profound heritage of Chinese music.
During her tour, Ma also shared the beauty of the erhu at places like the Franklin Cross-cultural Educational Training Center and the U.S. Community Cultural Center in the U.S. She also planned the release and promotion of an album titled “Erhu & Hawaiian Guitar” and organized fan meetings to spread Chinese culture and tell contemporary Chinese stories.
Audience & Student Reviews (Excerpt 1):
A student named Oliver said, “I really enjoyed the erhu music lecture. The content was presented beautifully. Some of the melodies were very familiar. The erhu performance was mesmerizing, and I can’t express its beauty in words. The erhu music touches my soul, and its beauty is beyond words. The erhu looks simple, but its two strings produce such captivating melodies. I was deeply attracted.”
Another female student shared, “I am a music therapy student. I was deeply moved by the melody and shed tears. This is such beautiful erhu music therapy. It’s my first time hearing the erhu live. The erhu sounds like a voice, and I can feel the highs and lows. Erhu music is colorful, multidimensional, and powerful.”
Audience & Student Reviews (Excerpt 2):
“This is my first time hearing the erhu. Before this, I was curious about what kind of instrument the erhu is. After listening to your performance, I was deeply moved. The melodies played on the erhu touch the heart and convey deep emotions. Erhu music is soulful. It makes me want to learn more about China and its stories.”
Audience and Faculty/Student Comments Excerpt 3:
“I’ve never heard of this instrument before—it’s beautiful and magical, with a tone that’s so noble and magnificent. It’s an instrument with spiritual essence and warmth. We’ve fallen in love with the erhu and would love to visit Shanghai to hear more Chinese music.”
A young music student said, “This is the first time I’ve heard this instrument, and it’s amazing, so noble and elegant—I’ve already fallen in love with the erhu. You’re playing with your soul and your entire being; it’s a passionate spiritual experience. Throughout the concert, you had all my attention, every moment of it; I enjoyed every minute of it! So passionate and loving. I absolutely love your performance! Your expressions, your gaze, your dancer-like body language, and your hand-painted artistic attire—all of these are a comprehensive manifestation and experience of beauty. Everything seems full of love, energy, and vitality. I can feel the notes you play flowing through every vein of mine! This is truly magical.”
Ma is a contemporary outstanding composite artist, a national first-class performer, and the famous chief erhu soloist of the Shanghai National Orchestra. She graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Among her numerous titles and affiliations, she is a member of the Shanghai Political Consultative Conference, an art fund judge, and the founder of the Ma Xiaohui Cultural and Art Special Fund under the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation. As the Global Cultural Ambassador for World Madam, Ma was invited to perform at the World Madam Global Awards Ceremony held at New York’s Goethe Hall on October 7. Her spectacular performance and artistic demeanor resembled a beautiful musical poem, adding a particularly eye-catching musical chapter and rich artistic atmosphere to the award ceremony, greatly impressing the audience.
As a contemporary artist, Ma, over the past 20+ years, has launched global tours and lectures such as “Erhu Shakes Hands with the World,” “Music and Psychology, Erhu Art Melts the Soul,” and “A Single Erhu Travels the World,” spanning Europe, America, Asia, and Africa, with over 1000 performances. These efforts deeply embody the “Belt and Road” initiative. She has also frequently collaborated with world-renowned music masters and orchestras, recording over 30 erhu albums and creating or adapting over 100 pieces. Her contributions to bringing ethnic music to the world stage are significant.
In the autumn of 1996, she first collaborated and debuted with German pianist Tim Owens in Hanover, Germany, laying a solid foundation for her “Erhu Shakes Hands with the World” tour. Since then, Ma began her world tour, performing over 1000 times in countries like Germany, Austria, the U.S., Poland, Italy, Sweden, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, and many others in Northern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Ma stated, “My initial intention is to let the world feel the beauty of erhu art and the charm of Chinese culture. With the spiritual beauty of Chinese art and the warmth of the erhu’s tone, I wish to stir and melt the ‘heartstrings,’ allowing the world to experience the allure of erhu art and Chinese culture.”
She believes that music is a universal language, especially ethnic instruments, which have their unique advantages and tonal characteristics. Using music as the foundation, with the core melodies of “truth, kindness, and beauty;” focusing on themes like femininity and campus life can softly connect global cultures. With the wisdom and grace of Eastern women, interactive exchanges that are lively, affable, and gracious can fully showcase the status and demeanor of contemporary Chinese women and the civility of contemporary education, thus effectively conveying the charm, wisdom, and voice of contemporary China.
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