“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.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
Thank you for any other informative web site. The place else may just I get that type of info written in such an ideal method? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.
Thanks for finally writing about > %blog_title% < Loved it!
Awesome site you have here but I was curious if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get feed-back from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Kudos!
It’s very straightforward to find out any matter on net as compared to books, as I found this article at this website.
It’s enormous that you are getting thoughts from this article as well as from our discussion made at this time.
Hey there, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!
Hello there! This blog post couldn’t be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to forward this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
What i do not realize is in reality how you’re now not actually much more well-appreciated than you may be now. You are so intelligent. You know therefore significantly in relation to this topic, made me in my opinion consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men are not interested except it’s one thing to do with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. All the time deal with it up!
Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and may come back in the future. I want to encourage that you continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!
Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this blog.
ivermectin vs albendazole dr syed haider ivermectin
Hi to every one, the contents present at this web page are really awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
excellent submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Excellent post. I’m dealing with many of these issues as well..
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Kudos
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely loved every bit of it. I have got you bookmarked to look at new things you post…
Keep on working, great job!
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this superb blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Very good info. Lucky me I recently found your site by accident (stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!
We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome website!
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious know-how on the topic of unpredicted feelings.
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this web page, and your views are pleasant for new users.
I think the admin of this web site is actually working hard in favor of his website, as here every information is quality based information.
I do consider all the ideas you have introduced to your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are very brief for beginners. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
Hi mates, how is everything, and what you desire to say regarding this paragraph, in my view its truly amazing for me.
Hi there colleagues, good paragraph and pleasant urging commented at this place, I am truly enjoying by these.
Hello I am so delighted I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic b.
Informative article, exactly what I wanted to find.
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable experience about unpredicted feelings.
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
I have been browsing online more than 3 hours as of late, but I never found any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty price enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the web might be much more useful than ever before.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really one thing that I think I might by no means understand. It seems too complex and very vast for me. I’m looking ahead to your next post, I will try to get the cling of it!