“When Hu Bin and Xia Jing perform together, a kind of sonic alchemy happens. East meets West, classical blends with traditional, and the music that results is pure gold—gleaming, rich and beautiful.”
duo chinoiserie
東風
Founded in 2016, Duo Chinoiserie has emerged as an unparalleled musical phenomenon, captivating audiences with their transcendent performances. Spearheaded by the exceptional talents of Chinese guzheng virtuoso Xia Jing and classical guitarist Hu Bin, this duo comprises two highly accomplished musicians who have attained unrivaled acclaim in their professional fields.
Critics and audiences alike have been captivated by Duo Chinoiserie's awe-inspiring performances. Grammy winning guitarist David Russell praises their work as a "moving and impressive combination" that showcases their mastery, profound musicality, and attractive phrasing of melodies. With their resolute global vision, Duo Chinoiserie magnificently weaves together the elegance of the Chinoiserie style, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western cultures through their extraordinary musical interpretations. Their meticulously curated repertoire, boldly handpicked, explores the enchanting dialogue and complementary textures of their instruments, expertly uniting contrasting musical styles into a cohesive and well-defined whole.
Having graced illustrious stages in Spain, China, and the United States, Duo Chinoiserie maintains an active concert schedule, enthralling audiences with their sensational performances. They have been proudly presented by esteemed presenters such as Arizona Arts Live, Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, St. Andrew’s Bach Society, Tucson Guitar Society, Qinling International Guitar Festival, and many others. In recognition of their immense talent and creative artistry, Duo Chinoiserie has garnered widespread media attention, with mainstream outlets such as the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Lifestyle Magazine highlighting their captivating endeavors. Their award-winning debut album, "Chinoiserie: Building New Musical Bridges," released by Navona Records, has received high praise from music critics worldwide, acclaimed as "the most engaging anthology showcasing artistry at the highest level."
Embracing a boundless passion for innovation and the exploration of new musical forms, Duo Chinoiserie warmly welcomes collaborations that seamlessly integrate chamber music into other creative realms of performing arts. Their visionary spirit continues to reshape the landscape of contemporary music, captivating audiences worldwide with their extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to artistic excellence.
A guzheng performer, scholar and educator in Chinese music, promoter of intercultural music, and artistic researcher in arts in health. Ms. Xia was awarded the Golden Bell Award (most prestigious award of Chinese music), the Master of Chinese Traditional Musical Instrument by the California State Senate, the Master Artist Award by Southwest Folklife Alliance, and the 2022 Top 10 Outstanding Chinese American Youth Award and the 30 Selected Leaders for Future by the All American Chinese Youth Federation. She was selected to be featured in the 2016 Cultural and Artistic Achievement Stamp and Postcard Series released by China Post.
As a performing artist, Ms. Xia has been invited to perform concerts with the “Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra” along with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, China National Traditional Orchestra, Huaxia Chinese Orchestra, Chandler Symphony Orchestra, Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. She has traveled on concert tours to Switzerland, New Zealand, Spain, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Burma, Bangladesh, and the USA. Her artistic activities have been featured by media outlets including the UK Chinese Journal, Radio New Zealand, NZ Herald, All American Chinese Youth Federation, Tucson Lifestyle Magazine, and Arizona Public Media.
Aside from her devotion to the culture of traditional music, she is also enthusiastic about exploring new music, techniques, idioms, sounds, genres, cultures, and other aspects of musical perception. Her intercultural music project, the Duo Chinoiserie, seeks to build new musical bridges between the East and West. The award-winning album CHINOISERIE includes new works written for the Duo by renowned composers. Ms. Xia’s performing style of the guzheng is calm and subtle, yet very powerful and emotional. She pursues the true nature of music and makes her listeners feel the beauty of heaven and earth, love of life, and the light of humanity. Ms. Xia is a versatile contributor. She is also experienced in event management and artistic direction of ensemble.
Ms. Xia started her guzheng studies when she was 4. Since then, she has delved into the world of guzheng music and studies with famous Chinese guzheng masters. She holds a Master of Musicology and Bachelor of Arts degree from the China Conservatory of Music. She is a Ph.D. candidate of the Applied Intercultural Arts Research with an emphasis in applied ethnomusicology and health promotion science at the University of Arizona. Her research specializations include applied and intercultural approaches to study of music, culture, and wellness; traditional music as a means to enhance the wellbeing of the Chinese diaspora; the study of zheng score Shiliu Ban from Xiansuo Beikao 【弦索备考】in Qing Dynasty. She has published articles in the Society for Ethnomusicology (SEM), and her research has been selected for presentation at the Association of Chinese Music Research (ACMR) meeting, the International Council for Traditional Music (ICTM) conference, and National Organization of Arts in Health conference (NOAH).
Xia Jing
夏菁
Hu Bin
胡濱
Dr. Hu's musical journey has taken him across continents, captivating audiences in Austria, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Spain, and the United States. As a versatile artist, he has graced the stage as a soloist, chamber musician, and soloist with orchestras, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene.
Earning international acclaim, Dr. Hu secured victory in prestigious guitar competitions, most notably claiming the top prize at the 2016 David Russell Bach Prize. This accolade, conferred by none other than GRAMMY Award-winner David Russell, solidified his reputation as an extraordinary Bach interpreter, breathing fresh insights into the works of the great composer. The culmination of his artistic endeavors is perhaps best exemplified by his all-Bach CD, "Ciaccona," a masterpiece produced by Eudora Records in Spain. This landmark recording has garnered widespread critical acclaim, resonating with listeners across the globe and showcasing Dr. Hu's mastery of his craft.
Beyond his captivating performances, Dr. Hu is a dedicated scholar and educator. He has been a sought-after guest at conservatories and conferences in China and South American countries, where he imparts his profound knowledge of Baroque performance practices on the guitar. His expertise transcends the stage, enriching the next generation of musicians with historical context and innovative approaches.
Dr. Hu earned his Master of Arts degree with distinction from the Universitaet Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, under the mentorship of Marco Tamayo. His pursuit of musical growth culminated in a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Arizona, guided by Thomas Patterson. Throughout his educational journey, he embraced learning opportunities with luminaries such as Sérgio and Odair Assad, David Russell, and Ricardo Gallén through participation in masterclasses.
Dr. Hu's passion, dedication, and boundless talent continue to illuminate the world of classical guitar and chamber music, leaving an enduring legacy of artistic excellence and educational impact through his solo work and as a vital member of Duo Chinoiserie.