Siqian Li is an internationally acclaimed Chinese pianist celebrated for her refined artistry, emotional depth, and distinctive musical voice. Featured as a rising star in BBC Music Magazine, she has been praised for her “virtuosity and talent” (Annecy Classic Festival) and playing described as “graceful and touching” (Emanuel Ax). She has performed at leading venues including Bridgewater Hall, Jordan Hall (Boston), Beijing Forbidden City Concert Hall, and Tokyo Ginza Yamaha Concert Hall, as well as appearing at major festivals across Europe.

This concert, curated by Siqian Li, traces a musical journey along the Silk Road from China to Europe, exploring how melodies evolved as they travelled through diverse cultures. Featuring guzheng and piano from Kang Yang, the programme begins with works inspired by China’s landscapes, poetry, and Uyghur traditions before moving west through the Caucasus and Anatolia to Andalusia. Along the way, it highlights the shared musical language connecting these regions, with pieces by Fazil Say, Albéniz, Babajanian, and Chu Wanghua reflecting the folk traditions, cultural exchanges, and enduring influence of the Silk Road across continents.

Huge emotional range and effortless pianistic control Paul Lewis CBE

Kang Yang is a London-based guzheng virtuoso and baritone redefining Chinese music on the global stage, who will join Siqian Li in the first set.

Bridging Chinese traditional music and Western classical performance, he has appeared at the Barbican Centre, the British Museum, the O2, and internationally across Europe and China. His collaborations with Burberry, Chanel, the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Chamber Orchestra, and SAULT reflect the breadth of his artistic vision and cross-cultural musicianship.