Min Huifen

Min Huifen (; 1945 – 12 May 2014) was a performer of the erhu, a traditional Chinese bowed string instrument, and a composer. She was considered the undisputed master of the instrument, nicknamed the "Queen of Erhu". She studied at the Affiliated High School of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and then at the Department of Traditional Chinese Music of the Conservatory. After graduation, she went to Beijing to train under Liu Mingyuan and Lan Yusong, two northern masters of erhu. Her experience made her well versed in both the southern and northern traditions of the erhu.

In 1963, she won the national prize at the Shanghai Spring Arts Festival, and was subsequently recognized as the undisputed master of erhu for more than 50 years until her death. After attending her performance in 1973, American music critic Harold Schonberg called her the "Heifetz of erhu". As a member of the Chinese art delegation, she toured the United States in 1978.

Min was a member of the China National Art Troupe, and later became the solo erhu performer of the Shanghai Art Troupe. After 1978, she performed with the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.

However, Min still suffered from many health problems, including high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia. On 13 February 2014, she suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and fell into a coma. She never woke up again, and died on 12 May 2014 at Renji Hospital in Shanghai. She was 69.

Family Min Huifen was born to a musical family. Her father Min Jiqian , who outlived her, was a student of the erhu master Liu Tianhua. Her brother Min Lekang is a national first-class conductor and music professor. Her younger sister, Min Xiaofen, is a well known pipa player. According to Min Lekang, who was more than ten years younger than Min Huifen, she taught her younger siblings the erhu and musical theory and had a significant impact on their careers. Her son, Liu Ju , is also a well-known conductor.