---

Robert Zollitsch was born in Munich and grew up with the Folk music of his home region, learning a classical Bavarian Folk music instrument, the zither. From 1986 to 1990 he studied music theory at the HDK Berlin. In 1993 he was awarded a scholarship to study the Chinese zither Guqin in Shanghai. The next years field research on traditional music in Mongolia, China and Tibet and collaboration with numerous outstanding Chinese musicians made him an expert in Asian music. Today he has established himself as one of the most important composers of New Chinese Art Music a noted composer, producer, director, ethnomusicologist, and musical painter. His compositions weave a delicate balance of his influences, fusing together elements of dramatically different cultures. Known in China as "Lao Luo" (Old Gong) he is highly respected for his deep understanding of Chinese classical music. His main merit is the transformation of classical Chinese musical elements into a global language.