Bach, J S - Goldberg Variations, The - Zhu, Xiao-Mei (piano)
Born in Shangai into a family of artists, she began her studies in early childhood with her mother and by the age of eight had already played for Peking radio and television stations. At the age of ten she attended a school for gifted children.
Her studies were interrupted in 1966 by the cultural revolution, when, like many others, she was sent to a labour camp in Inner Mongolia. Despite the conditions, she managed to continue to study the piano in secret.
Her international breakthrough came in 1979 when she was able to leave China to study abroad, first in the USA then, from 1985, in France.
She has since given concerts throughout Europe, North and South America and Australia. From 1994 she is regularly invited to the Théâtre de la Ville in Paris and the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires, and has played at the Saint-Riquier, Strasbourg and Roque d’Anthéron festivals.
Zhu Xiao Mei is now regularly invited at the Folle Journée in Nantes and La Roque d’Anthéron Festival.
Having adopted French nationality in 2000, she presently divides her time between teaching at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris and her concert engagements.