Northern Michigan University’s Siril Concert Series welcomes the internationally acclaimed Beijing Guitar Duo, comprised of Meng Su and Yameng Wang. With a repertoire spanning from Bach to contemporary compositions, the duo has captivated audiences worldwide. Their journey from solo careers to an extraordinary musical partnership began in 2009, a transition sparked by their mentor, Manuel Barrueco, at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore.
Their collaboration has evolved over the years, from early artistic disagreements to a deep familial bond. “At the beginning, we used to fight a lot—for musical reasons, of course,” Su said with a laugh. “But now that we have families and children, we’ve grown, and we see each other as family.” Performing as a duo, they say, is vastly different from solo work. “Solo playing is like a one-person show—you’re communicating directly with the audience,” Su explained. “But in a duo, the magic happens on stage between us. It’s spontaneous.”
For their NMU performance, the duo will present a diverse program. The first half is colorful French music—Debussy, Fauré, and Franck, and the second half is fiery Spanish and Argentinian music, including works by Granados, Albéniz, and Piazzolla.
Beyond the concert, Su and Wang are committed to education, offering a masterclass and a music appreciation presentation while in Marquette. They find great fulfillment in working with young musicians. “The most rewarding moment is seeing a student’s eyes light up when they realize they can do something new—sometimes, just a small fingering change can make a huge difference,” Su noted.
Watch the Beijing Guitar Duo perform "Maracaípe" by Sergio Assad:
Currently on tour, the duo is preparing for upcoming performances in Illinois, San Francisco, Tampa, and an eagerly awaited China tour. Balancing multiple programs and extensive travel is no easy feat, but their dedication is unwavering. “We have to plan carefully—deciding when to practice what and making sure everything is ready in time,” Su explained.
Kurt Hauswirth spoke with the duo in Studio A:
The Beijing Guitar Duo’s NMU concert takes place on Friday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Recital Hall. While tickets are required for the concert, the masterclass at 1:00 p.m. and the music appreciation presentation at 11:00 a.m. are free and open to the public.
The duo can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. With their remarkable chemistry and dedication to their craft, Meng Su and Yameng Wang continue to inspire audiences worldwide, proving that their mentor’s advice to form a duo was indeed a wise one.
Visit the Beijing Guitar Duo's website here and concert tickets here.
