Su Meng has been described as having a level of skill and artistry way beyond her years. She has mesmerized music fans with her stunning virtuosity on the guitar.
Su Meng performs at the Beijing Concert Hall on Jan. 7, 2023. /CGTN
On Jan. 7, Su wowed audiences at the Beijing Concert Hall, where she carefully arranged a selection of works to mark her first show of the year. One is "Chaconne" by Johann Sebastian Bach. Su says that was a key part of her playlist because after the pandemic, she came to understand the meaning and deeply felt grief expressed in this composition, which was ultimately comforting and conveyed a healing power. Su wanted to express that and convey those emotions to the audience. Her second piece of the evening was "Le Départ" by the French composer Napoléon Coste (1805 –1883). Su says she chose this one because she felt people need courage and faith to start the new year.
Su Meng as a young child was with her mother in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong. /Courtesy: Su Meng
Having warmed to the guitar at a very young age, Su found herself fascinated by it and was already honing her skills at the tender age of five. Su says the sound of the keys teleports her to a different place bounded only by her imagination.
Her talents were quickly noticed and further developed under the guidance of Professor Chen Zhi at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Su won numerous international competitions. She is the first guitarist to have triumphed at both the youth (2006) and the main competition (2015) in the prestigious Parkening International Guitar Competition.
In addition to Western classics, Su is keen on guitar pieces inspired by traditional Chinese culture, and she has introduced them to global audiences at many of her concerts.
A perfect illustration would be "Sun Wukong's Toccata" by the Brazilian guitarist and composer Sérgio Assad. Su says Assad was inspired by the Monkey King character from the ancient Chinese classic "Journey to the West."
Another piece that fits in this genre is "Seven Desires" by Tan Dun, a leading figure of contemporary classical music. This composition was inspired by the "I Ching" (Yi Jing), another Chinese literary classic. Su says she appreciated this piece because it is so laden with fiery emotion, full of passion, fury and rage.
Su Meng (left) and Manuel Barrueco pose for a photo in New York. /Courtesy: Su Meng
In 2006, Su received a full scholarship to the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she met her mentor, the legendary guitarist Manuel Barrueco.
She studied under him for 13 years, and Su credits Barrueco with guiding her on her journey to become an acclaimed musician.
Her mentor warned her never to be pretentious or manipulative, and to always show the audience her true heart.
Su Meng talks to a student during a class at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. /Courtesy: Su Meng
In 2021, Su joined the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a guitar professor, becoming the first Asian to land the role at a leading Western music institution. She says she always urges her students to venture out to see the wider world, rather than staying stuck in a practice room. She encourages them to visit museums and explore nature, in order to help develop their appreciation of the arts as well as their musical sensibilities.
Su also plans to add some fresh twists to her music. She is currently working on a musical that has her combine guitar music with dance and multimedia projections.