LUCY ZHAO PLAYS

PIPA

Where the Sound of Tradition meets the Present

Lucy Zhao is an international pipa soloist based in Berlin, Germany, performing classical repertoire, contemporary music, orchestral works and collaborative formats worldwide.

Listen

About

Selected appearances

Konzerthaus Berlin, Haus für Mozart Salzburg, ZKM Karlsruhe, ARTE Concert, Berliner Festspiele, Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony, Humboldt Forum, Agha Khan Museum

About

My artistic identity

I am a pipa soloist, trained at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Today, my work is shaped by an ongoing dialogue between tradition and the present – developed through an international concert practice and attentive listening, with a strong sense of form, depth and musical presence.

biography

Lucy Zhao

Programs & Formats

Classical, contemporary and collaborative concert formats

I present clearly structured concert programs shaped by the Pipa’s solo tradition and its dialogue with contemporary and orchestral contexts.

SOLO

Classical and contemporary Pipa repertoire presented in focused recital formats. Programs range from intimate, transparent sound worlds to dramatically driven passages.

Details:

45-60 min / 60-75 min · Optional spoken introduction (EN / DE)

Book now

ORCHESTRA

The pipa as a solo voice in symphonic, concert and ensemble settings.Includes concertos, solo parts and collaborative works with orchestra.

Details:

Pipa concertos · Concert works · Solo with orchestra

Book now

CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary music, improvisation / comprovisation formats, project-based collaborations.Developed in close collaboration and exchange with composers, ensembles and interdisciplinary partners.

Details:

Chamber · Ensemble · Selected premieres · Improvisation

Book now

Listen

Recordings

Listen to curated excerpts from recent performances and studio sessions.

»Wild Geese Descending over the Sands«

»The Conqueror Doffs his Armor«

»Ensemble for Pipa and Seven Cellos − LIU Yuan«

Events

Recent and upcoming performances

A selection of concert dates worldwide.

Wed. 29.Apr. 2026Kyrgyz National Philharmonic

Collabration with Orchester der Kulturen and Philharmonic Orchestra of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Tue. 18.Nov. 2025

EFG London Jazz Festival, CLUB INÉGALES

Solo collabration with The Third Orchestra. London, UK.

Fr. 31.Jan. 2025Seidenweberhaus Krefeld and Theater Mönchengladbach

Solo Concerto with Niederrheinische Sinfoniker. Niederrein, Germany.

Fr. 18.Oct. 2024Liederhalle Stuttgart

Solo collabration with Orchester der Kulturen. Stuttgart, Germany.

Fr. 12.Apr. 2024Humboldt Forum

Ensemble collabration with lautten compagney Berlin. Cross-traditionell performance. Berlin, Germany.

About the pipa

The pipa as an expressive concert instrument

A traditional Chinese lute with over 1,500 years of history. Played with the fingernails, its sound ranges from delicate lyricism to percussive fire. The instrument’s name describes two opposite plucking strokes: “Pi” (琵) and “Pa” (琶) – the fundamental technical skill.

Lucy Zhao performing the pipa in an art gallery during a live performance

Lucy Zhao performing the pipa on stage during a concert performance

Lucy Zhao performing the pipa with orchestra during a live concert

»A breathtaking performance — the hall fell completely silent.«

Politiken, Denmark

»Lucy Zhao reveals the pipa in an extraordinary range, from elegant lyricism to striking percussive intensity.«

Donaukurier, Ingolstadt

»What Lucy Zhao draws from the pipa is simply remarkable – precise, delicate and deeply expressive.«

Politiken, Denmark

»The pipa integrates seamlessly into the orchestral sound, unfolding a rich and nuanced solo voice.«

Westdeutsche Zeitung, Krefeld

»The applause for Lucy Zhao was rapturous and lengthy.«

Rheinische Post, Krefeld

Contact

Get in touch

For booking inquiries, festival programming, and collaboration proposals, please feel free to get in touch. If possible, include suggested date(s), venue(s), program format, and expected duration

Email:

lucy.zhao.pipa@outlook.com

Phone:

+49 (0)174 4514 075

Press kit:

(DE) download

(EN) download

Portrait of Lucy Zhao holding the pipa and smiling towards the viewer

LUCY ZHAO PLAYS

PIPA

Where the Sound of Tradition meets the Present

About

Listen

Lucy Zhao is an international pipa soloist based in Berlin, Germany, performing classical repertoire, contemporary music, orchestral works and collaborative formats worldwide.

Selected appearances

Konzerthaus Berlin, Haus für Mozart Salzburg, ZKM Karlsruhe, ARTE Concert, Berliner Festspiele, Beijing Olympic, Humboldt Forum, Agha Khan Museum

About

My artistic identity

I am a pipa soloist, trained at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Today, my work is shaped by an ongoing dialogue between tradition and the present – developed through an international concert practice and attentive listening, with a strong sense of form, depth and musical presence.

biography

Lucy Zhao

Programs & Formats

Classical, contemporary and collaborative concert formats

I present clearly structured concert programs shaped by the Pipa’s solo tradition and its dialogue with contemporary and orchestral contexts.

SOLO

Classical and contemporary Pipa repertoire presented in focused recital formats. Programs range from intimate, transparent sound worlds to dramatically driven passages.

Details:

45-60 min / 60-75 min · Optional spoken introduction (EN / DE)

Book now

ORCHESTRA

The pipa as a solo voice in symphonic, concert and ensemble settings.Includes concertos, solo parts and collaborative works with orchestra.

Details:

Pipa concertos · Concert works · Solo with orchestra

Book now

CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary music, improvisation / comprovisation formats, project-based collaborations.Developed in close collaboration and exchange with composers, ensembles and interdisciplinary partners.

Details:

Chamber · Ensemble · Selected premieres · Improvisation

Book now

Listen

Recordings

Listen to curated excerpts from recent performances and studio sessions.

»Wild Geese Descending over the Sands«

»The Conqueror Doffs his Armor«

»Ensemble for Pipa and Seven Cellos − LIU Yuan«

Events

Recent and upcoming performances

A selection of concert dates worldwide.

Wed 29. April 2026

–

Wed. 29.Apr. 2026Kyrgyz National Philharmonic

Collabration with Orchester der Kulturen and Philharmonic Orchestra of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Tue 18. November 2025

–

Tue. 18.Nov. 2025

EFG London Jazz Festival, CLUB INÉGALES

Solo collabration with The Third Orchestra. London, UK.

Fri 31. January 2025

–

Fr. 31.Jan. 2025Seidenweberhaus Krefeld and Theater Mönchengladbach

Solo Concerto with Niederrheinische Sinfoniker. Niederrein, Germany.

Fri 18. October 2024

–

Fr. 18.Oct. 2024Liederhalle Stuttgart

Solo collabration with Orchester der Kulturen. Stuttgart, Germany.

Fri 12. April 2024

–

Fr. 12.Apr. 2024Humboldt Forum

Ensemble collabration with lautten compagney Berlin. Cross-traditionell performance. Berlin, Germany.

About the pipa

The pipa as an expressive concert instrument

A traditional Chinese lute with over 1,500 years of history. Played with the fingernails, its sound ranges from delicate lyricism to percussive fire. The instrument’s name describes two opposite plucking strokes: “Pi” (琵) and “Pa” (琶) – the fundamental technical skill.

»A breathtaking performance — the hall fell completely silent.«

Politiken, Denmark

»Lucy Zhao reveals the pipa in an extraordinary range, from elegant lyricism to striking percussive intensity.«

Donaukurier, Ingolstadt

»What Lucy Zhao draws from the pipa is simply remarkable – precise, delicate and deeply expressive.«

Politiken, Denmark

»The pipa integrates seamlessly into the orchestral sound, unfolding a rich and nuanced solo voice.«

Westdeutsche Zeitung, Krefeld

»The applause for Lucy Zhao was rapturous and lengthy.«

Rheinische Post, Krefeld

Contact

Get in touch

For booking inquiries, festival programming, and collaboration proposals, please feel free to get in touch. If possible, include suggested date(s), venue(s), program format, and expected duration

Email:

lucy.zhao.pipa@outlook.com

Phone:

+49 (0)174 4514 075

Press kit:

(DE) download

(EN) download

CONTACT

Email:

lucy.zhao.pipa@outlook.com

Phone:

+49 (0)174 4514 075

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