Additional Information
Qi Shen has been playing the erhu since she was very young. Upon arriving in Montreal several years ago, she immediately found a nest to pursue her passion. In the early 2000s, you might have heard her at the Botanical Garden, where she played daily in the Chinese Garden. In the meantime, her daughter Jasmine (Xu, her father’s name) was also learning the instrument, while embarking on a long journey with classical piano. Mother and daughter talk about their erhu/piano duo, an unusual combination, but also about their love of music in general, and the difficult separation, for about twelve years, when Qi was hired by Cirque du Soleil to play in its shows in Macao. While waiting to discover their musical complicity, for free, on Sunday, August 16 at the Orientalys Festival (on the TD stage), get to know them by reading this interview.
INFO FOR THE QI AND JASMINE CONCERT
PANM360: Qi, please start by explaining to us how you became a musician.
Qi Shen: I learned the erhu at a very young age in China. I then continued my studies until university. Upon arriving in Montreal, I was happy to discover a city where people are curious about all cultures. I felt good right away. I quickly found numerous opportunities. I played in the Old Port, in the subway, etc. One day, I was hired by the Botanical Garden to play music in the Chinese Garden, daily. I made a very pleasant nest for myself here.
Qi Shen’s website (concerts, classes, etc.)
PANM360: And you, Jasmine?
Jasmine Xu: My parents asked me, when I was still very young, what kind of instrument I would like to learn. I chose the piano. I played it for a long time, up to level 9 at the Vincent-d’Indy school. But in parallel, I still learned the erhu with my mother, then the guitar, singing, etc.
PANM360: And you ended up doing a duet…
Jasmine Xu: Yes, the piano and the erhu complement each other very well. The erhu is very versatile, there are no frets, which allows for very sinuous, very melodic lines, while the piano is very complete, like an orchestra in itself.
PANM360: Have you been playing together like this for a long time?
Qi Shen: Yes, for a very long time, of course. But in private. Our public performances are more recent. I must say that, in 2010, Cirque du Soleil contacted me to perform in their shows in Macau. The erhu played a very important role in the live music. But I had to go live there for long periods. Jasmine was still very young. So I went there, and Jasmine stayed here of course, this is her home. She stayed with her father. For a long time, we saw each other a few times a year. It was a very difficult decision for me. Very difficult. But it was also an exceptional opportunity professionally, with very good conditions. It lasted 12 years. After Covid, I came back. I have to rebuild my career here, but with Jasmine now, it makes me very happy.
PANM360: Jasmine?
Jasmine Xu: I am very happy to play with mom too. For my part, I hadn’t really considered dedicating all my time to music. After my piano studies, I studied nutrition. I completed my course, so I am a nutritionist, a profession I practiced for about two years. But I missed music. Finally, not so long ago, I decided to dive in. So I do this duet with my mother, I also sing, I post videos on social media where I play the erhu, etc.
PANM360: What will you be playing at the concert on Sunday, August 18th at Orientalys?
Qi Shen: A bit of everything, traditional Chinese tunes, some original compositions…
Jasmine Xu: ... popular tunes from China (M-Pop, the equivalent of Korean K-Pop) and also arrangements of well-known songs here.
PANM360: Thank you very much for speaking with us. Good luck.
Qi Shen: Thank you!
Jasmine Xu: Thank you!
