Associate Professor of Classical Guitar at the Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao

Associate Professor of Shanghai Conservatory of Music

Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar

Champion of the 50th Tárrega International Classical Guitar Competition in Spain

Xianji finished his secondary education in the Music School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Xianji continued his studies with Roberto Aussel at Cologne University of Music and Dance. In 2018, he attained the highest academic degree, a Doctorate in Music Arts, from the University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar with a perfect score. He was the first-prize winner of the 50th Franciso Tárrega International Guitar Competition in Benicàssim in 2016. LIU Xianji is the first Chinese guitarist to win a competition over the last half century. In September 2018, he returned to teach at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music as an associate professor, as part of a high-level talent introduction initiative.

Xianji released his first album, Latin Guitar Sonatas, in 2017, by IBS Classical, a famous Spanish recording company. This album features Roberto Sierra's sonata as a world premiere recording of historical significance. LIU’s exceptional interpretation and flawless technique earned praise from the composer himself. The two top European music magazines, Scherzo and Ritmo, reported this debut recording. Subsequent albums by LIU Xianji also garnered significant acclaim.

He has performed throughout China, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, the U.S. and South Korea. He has collaborated with esteemed orchestras such as Spanish RTVE Symphony Orchestra, Valencia Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the Madrid Academy, Jenaer Philharmonie, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, and Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra.

Together with the world legendary classical guitarist Angel Romero, Xianji played Joaquin Rodrigo’s concerto with Valencia Symphony Orchestra in November 2016, and won high praise. In 2018, Fantasia para un Gentilhombre played by Xianji was listed into La Catedral De Las 6 Cuerdas, a historical documentary for classical guitar in Spain.

“He has an extraordinary performing power for the classical guitar”, praised David Russell, the world-known guitar master. And the legendary classical guitarist Angel Romero also spoke very highly of him, saying Xianji's performance is of Spanish music colors themselves, as if he were the Chinese with the soul of Spanish music.