Erhu

Synopsis

The erhu is a representative of traditional Chinese bowed string instruments, originating from the Xi Qin of the northern nomadic peoples during the Tang Dynasty, with a history of over a thousand years. Its tone is soft, deep, and closest to the human voice, earning it the title of the soul of Chinese instruments. The famous piece "Moon Reflected on the Second Spring," composed by folk musician A Bing, is one of the most globally recognized Chinese melodies.

Overview

The erhu is an outstanding representative of traditional Chinese bowed string instruments and one of the most widespread and influential instruments in Chinese folk music. Named for its two strings, the erhu produces sound through the friction of a horsehair bow against the strings. Its tone is soft, deep, mellow, and melodious, and it is considered the instrument closest to the human voice. The status of the erhu in Chinese folk music is akin to that of the violin in Western music, earning it the title "the soul of Chinese instruments."

The structure of the erhu is simple yet exquisite, consisting mainly of the sound box, neck, tuning pegs, strings, and bow. The sound box, which acts as the resonator, is typically made of rosewood or red sandalwood, with one side covered by python skin as the vibrating membrane. The neck is usually made of hard wood, with two tuning pegs attached at the top for tuning. There are two strings: the inner string is tuned to D, and the outer string to A. The bow, made of bamboo, is placed between the two strings, with horsehair used for the bow hair.

Historical Evolution

The predecessor of the erhu can be traced back to the xiqin of the Tang Dynasty. The xiqin was an instrument used by the Xi people, a northern nomadic tribe, and produced sound by rubbing the strings with a bamboo strip. It represents an early form of bowed string instruments. The Song Dynasty scholar Chen Yang documented the form of the xiqin in his "Book of Music," which is the earliest written record of Chinese bowed string instruments.

By the Song Dynasty, the xiqin gradually evolved into the horsehair huqin, where a horsehair bow replaced the bamboo strip for rubbing the strings, significantly improving its tone and playability. After the Yuan Dynasty, the huqin became widely popular among the people and became an important instrument for opera accompaniment and folk music performances. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the form of the erhu was largely standardized, with continuous improvements in craftsmanship and a more beautiful tone.

In the early 20th century, the folk musician Liu Tianhua carried out a groundbreaking reform of the erhu. Drawing inspiration from violin techniques, he created techniques such as position shifting, vibrato, and glissando for the erhu, greatly expanding its range and expressive power. This elevated the erhu from a folk accompaniment instrument to a solo instrument. He also composed classic erhu solo pieces such as "Beautiful Night," "Birds Singing in the Desolate Mountain," and "March of Progress," laying a solid foundation for the development of erhu art.

Classic Repertoire

A Bing and Moon Reflected on the Second Spring

When discussing the erhu, one cannot overlook A Bing and his "Moon Reflected on the Second Spring." Hua Yanjun (1893-1950), known as Blind A Bing, was a folk musician from Wuxi who endured a life of hardship. Born into a Taoist family, he learned Taoist music from a young age and mastered multiple instruments. After losing his sight due to an eye disease in middle age, he made a living by performing on the streets. Amidst his suffering, he created numerous deeply moving musical works.

"Moon Reflected on the Second Spring" is an erhu solo piece composed by A Bing beside the Second Spring of Huishan in Wuxi. The melody is deep and winding, sometimes low and weeping, sometimes impassioned and pleading, vividly expressing the blind musician's resilience against fate and his longing for a better life. In 1950, musicologist Yang Yinliu used a wire recorder to record six pieces by A Bing, including "Moon Reflected on the Second Spring," preserving this precious musical heritage for future generations.

"Moon Reflected on the Second Spring" also enjoys international acclaim. The world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa was moved to tears upon hearing the piece and said it should be listened to on one's knees. It is widely recognized as a classic in the world's musical treasury.

Modern Development

Contemporary erhu art continues to innovate while preserving tradition. In terms of craftsmanship, modern erhus retain the traditional tone while improving alternative materials for python skin, addressing the conflict between wildlife conservation and instrument making. In terms of playing techniques, modern erhu compositions incorporate more Western musical elements and contemporary compositional techniques, such as Chen Gang's adaptation of "Sunshine Over Tashkurgan" and Tan Dun's erhu concerto.

The erhu also plays a significant role in international cultural exchanges. An increasing number of foreign musicians are learning the erhu, and cross-border collaborations between the erhu and Western instruments are becoming more frequent. In the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, and other regions, the erhu has become an important vehicle for spreading Chinese musical culture.

References

1. China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network: https://www.ihchina.cn/Article/Index/detail?id=8391
2. Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/二胡
3. Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/二胡