When Dutch violinist Anastasia Fridman embarked on her exchange program at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, she had no idea her musical journey would take a transformative turn. Trained classically in the violin, Anastasia found herself captivated by the haunting melodies of the Chinese erhu.
“The erhu resonates with me in a way I never anticipated,” she shared. “It’s incredible how two strings can convey such profound emotion.”
Anastasia believes that both the violin and the erhu have untapped potential beyond their traditional associations. “People often think of the violin as solely romantic and the erhu as expressing sorrow,” she explained. “But both instruments can express a wide spectrum of feelings.”
Through her studies, Anastasia aims to blend the musical traditions of the East and West. By mastering the erhu, she hopes to create a harmonious fusion that speaks to audiences across cultures.
“Music is a universal language,” she said. “I want to build bridges between our cultures, one note at a time.”
Anastasia’s journey underscores the power of cultural exchange and the unifying force of music in bringing people together.
