At the crossroads of cultures: Zhu Xiaomei and her way to I. S. Bach

Abstract

   The interpretations of the French pianist of Chinese origin Zhu Xiaomei, shaped under the influence of an unusually wide range of stylistic influences, is a distinctive artistic phenomenon, worthy of study. However, the particular qualities of Zhu Xiaomei’s art have not been studied by Russian musicologists so far. The main attention in the article is paid to Zhu Xiaomei’s embodiment of Bach’s heritage which occupies the main place in her concert programmes and audio recordings. The author investigates the peculiarities of implementation in the performing style of the pianist the traditions of piano schools under the influence of which Zhu Xiaomei developed; the influence of Zen Buddhist philosophical practices on her creative method of composition reflecting the ways of penetration of East Asian spiritual practices in the European music culture and performance. In exploring these questions, the author relies on the autobiographical publication of the Chinese pianist in France and the USA.