Called "Spirit of My Erhu," the performance will include both traditional Chinese erhu pieces and Bach's works.

Ma has just returned from a Chinese New Year concert in Vienna, presented by the Shanghai Orchestra of Traditional Music, in which she is a member.

When China Daily caught up with her, she appeared a bit tired and looked pale.

"This solo recital will be very interesting as I intend to prove the wide range of the two-stringed erhu by playing Bach's works," she said confidently.

Ma began to play the erhu at the age of six and graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. She served as concertmaster for the Shanghai Orchestra of Traditional Music.

Over the past decade, she has held nearly 100 recitals both at home and abroad.

"But that is not enough," she said. "My ultimate aim is to get more people to know and love the erhu. In this way I will be a cultural ambassador instead of being only an erhu player."

Ma always tries something new by adapting her instrument to different musical styles.

In every country in which she performs, she tries to appeal to each particular audience.

For example, she played the tango at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and performed Bach in Germany.

But currently one of the major problems facing Ma, and every traditional Chinese musician, is the lack of new compositions. "One of the main reasons for this shortage is that a composer of Chinese music should also be a good musician, familiar with a variety of instruments," explained Ma. "But nowadays, some composers do not play traditional Chinese instruments."

Ma is eager to create some new music herself.

"I already know Chinese music," she said. "I am considering composing some pieces myself."

Ma has always had a busy schedule. Last autumn, she performed in Beijing, Macao and Hanover. After tomorrow's concert, she will start preparing for a tour later this year of Germany, the United States and Singapore.

"I want to make the erhu an international instrument," said Ma. "Most people are unfamiliar with it but I want to change that."

To her, the simply-built erhu is very expressive.

"It's very warm, it can catch your heart when you first hear its tune," she said.

That's why she has been busy performing all over the world - to let people know about the erhu and its beautiful music.

(China Daily 02/09/2001)