Xuefei Yang brings Bach's violin concertos to the guitar

Next week the acclaimed Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang releases her new album of Bach violin concertos arranged for guitar and string quartet. Lucy Coward caught up with Xuefei to find out all about this ambitious project.

Xuefei Yang is considered something of a musical pioneer. Born following the Cultural Revolution, an era when Western music and instruments were banned, Xuefei became the first Chinese student to be awarded a full international scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London. She has since gone on to become a widely acclaimed recording artist, with her albums aiming to actively expand the guitar repertoire.

Her new album is no exception, with J.S. Bach violin concertos transcribed by Xuefei herself for guitar and string quartet (performed by the Elias Quartet).

Classic FM’s Lucy Coward sat down with Xuefei to talk all about the new album, her love of Bach, working with Classic FM’s very own John Brunning, and the pressures of being a role model to aspiring classical guitarists.