“Gao Hong is not only a virtuoso performer of the highest order, she is also a charming and totally engaging educator. She is so obviously in love with her instrument, her music and her audience that it is simply impossible for the audience not to fall in love with her.” - Harry Chalmiers, Former Provost, Berklee School of Music, Boston

"She can perfectly express the beauty of music.....which provides a wonderful enjoyment for her listeners." - Pipa Master Lin Shicheng

“...she possesses deep performing skills and particularly strong sensitivity with the pipa...she is definitely among the top artists of traditional music performance in the young generation.” - Zhao Feng, President, Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing

“...like the famous Luoyang peony, she has gradually emerged as the best of all beautiful flowers...her performance has extremely strong artistic appeal and belongs under the category of fine wine... the more you listen, the more beautiful it gets.”
- People’s Music Magazine (Beijing)

“ ... dazzlingly virtuosic soloist." - San Francisco Chronicle

"Shiomi and Gao have created a beautiful piece of storytelling. The writing is spare and sharp, the music evocative... Foremost, Gao's artistry with the pipa transports the work to another time and place - a place inhabited by her own destiny." - Minneapolis Star Tribune

" Gao is a virtuoso in every sense of the term. With her fingers fluttering at warp-speed, she made the pipa's four strings sound forth in an astonishing range of timbres....coaxing superlative detail from her instrument, melded with a winning interpretive personality, Gao was a luscious wonder." - Louisville Courier-Journal

"...ethereal and beautiful music...the emotional variety she produces from her instrument is both large and lovely." - St. Paul Pioneer Press

“Gao Hong was a captivating presence on pipa…” - Los Angeles Times

"Hong's spectacular playing, elegant shaping of phrases and star charisma got 'Flying Dragon" off the ground." - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"A true virtuoso, her playing was thrilling in its variety and expressive range.... sincere and charming humility ..." - Milwaukee Shepherd-Express

"Gao Hong's contribution to this international dialogue is unique. First of all, she is a virtuoso player of the pipa, the Chinese lute, and that virtuosity and the wide range of emotion that goes with it become an integral element of the music she writes. ...... the music (Flying Dragon Concerto) sounded fresh and lively. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The music of the pipa, played by the soul-seducing Gao Hong, affords the production a unique, ethereal beauty...She draws from the fretted, four-string instrument an aural tapestry of delicate and reflective moods that arc from fanciful musing to tempestuous torment." - Pulse

“...truly a joy and a wonder. When she begins to play, one immediately senses the presence of a very special performer.” - Guitarist

“Hong is capable of overcoming great technical demands while showing this can be
done passionately as the music may require.” - The Scranton Times

"Flying Dragon...employed dynamic contrasts, varied tone colors, and a very expressive vibrato. As the last note died away, I realized that 'Flying Dragon' had spoken to me through music in another language. And ultimately, opened my heart and mind." - String Notes

Gao Hong with Symphonies

"The central cadenza was composed by Hong herself...This was a marvelous few minutes of virtuoso playing. Hong brought out complex counterpoint between high and low voices within a furious strumming texture. She surprised the ear with many degrees of note-bending and tremolo of varying speed, and provided high drama with rapidly rising and falling dynamics” - San Francisco Classical Voice

"Gao Hong's contribution to this international dialogue is unique. First of all, she is a virtuoso player of the pipa, the Chinese lute, and that virtuosity and the wide range of emotion that goes with it become an integral element of the music she writes. ...... the music (Flying Dragon Concerto) sounded fresh and lively. - Minneapolis Star Tribune

" Gao Hong is to the pipa what the late Jascha Heifetz was to the violin."
- Keith Clark, founder and former Music Director, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles

"... exceptional technical command and artistry on the pipa ..."
- William LaRue Jones, Music Director, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, University of Iowa Symphony, Oshkosh Symphony.

" Gao's professionalism is unsurpassed by anyone!"
- Richard Haglund, Music Director, Northeast Orchestra

" You are truly, as the magazine article said, Mistress of Pipa."
- Gregory L. Barnes, Music Director, Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia

CD reviews from Europe and the U.S

"...such excellent performances...They allow us to enjoy not only the distinguished Pudong pipa style, but also the beauty of traditional Chinese music in general"
- Journal of the Association for Chinese Music Research

"...one of the finest pipa CDs to appear in recent years...Magnificent playing, truly radiant..." - Journal of the European Foundation for Chinese Music Research

"This splendid collection of virtuosi pipa playing is highly recommended."- Sing Out!

"music of two continents, four centuries and countless bright spots."- Minneapolis Star Tribune

"The virtuoso pipa playing is by Gao Hong, a wonderful musician born in China…
The bottom line: This is a terrific rendition of a terrific concerto"
- Opus Pocus, the Magic of Music

"Gao Hong, a virtuoso pipa player, presents a series of cross-cultural pieces on “Flying Dragon”, blending traditional Chinese music with Indian, Japanese and American jazz. The first track, “Morning,” is actually nothing short of spectacular...The title cut is a solo... Here, the structure, first melancholy then triumphant, achieves a fine balance... “Cutting Grain Song” finds her with shakuhachi master Yoshio Kurahashi, performing a traditional Japanese tune. Again, a beautiful number... “ - The Squid's Ear

“Whether you're already familiar with the Chinese pipa or are looking to discover something new, this gorgeous album, "Hunting Eagles Catching Swans," performed by the definitive master of the Pudong style, Lin Shicheng, and his best student, Gao Hong, is a perfect opportunity to soak in the beauty of this music. With extreme delicacy and agility, finesse and energy, this instrument mesmerizes and enchants. The completeness of its voice is honorably represented by these two brilliant and passionate performers. A most notable album.” - CD Baby