Xuefei Yang

Grosvenor Church, Bideford

Review: Rodney Snowden

A 240-STRONG audience warmed enthusiastically to the charming personality and exceptional playing of virtuoso Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang (pictured). Five lucky pupils from North Devon had already benefited from a superb masterclass in the afternoon. Then in the evening Fei kept us all spellbound with a dazzling performance, not least in a piece by Giulio Regondi whom she described as "Paganini of the guitar" because he composed such impossible pieces to play.

The audience obviously agreed with John Williams, who was so impressed when he heard her play in Beijing in 1995. Indeed they would not let her go until she had received two standing ovations and two encores.

The whole day was a great credit to the Young Guitarists' Fund who had organised the event and a great honour for North Devon to host such a wonderful musician.