Liu Dehai (1937-2020) was a virtuoso pipa player and a pivotal figure in Chinese traditional music. The pipa is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, and Liu Dehai was renowned for his mastery of it. Over the course of his influential career, he not only performed extensively but also advanced the popularity of the pipa both within China and internationally. Trained at the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Liu Dehai was one of the first to perform pipa concertos with symphony orchestras, bridging the gap between Chinese music and Western classical forms.

Liu's dedication to his craft led to numerous recordings that showcased the beauty and versatility of the pipa. Among these, "Liu Dehai Plays Pipa Favourites" and "Master of Traditional Chinese Music: Pipa" represent his dedication to preserving and championing the traditional repertoire. Meanwhile, "Violin Meets Pipa: Popular Chinese Folk Melodies" reflects his willingness to collaborate across genres and instruments, bringing traditional Chinese music to a wider audience. His work was not only celebrated in terms of performance but also in education, as he compiled teaching materials and trained the next generation of pipa musicians, further cementing his legacy as a torchbearer of Chinese musical heritage.

Genres

Chinese Traditional

Pipa

Related Artists

Ming-yuan Liu

Tang Liangxing

Lin Shicheng

Wu Jinglue

Yu Xunfa

Min Huifen

Zhan Yongming

Cao Jianguo

Jiang Cairu

Zhou Yu

Wang Guotong

Wang Changyuan

Latest Release

Liu Dehai Plays Pipa Favourites

Liu Dehai

Album - 9 Tracks - Released June 10, 2016