new erhu CD

[calden]

Hey all:

I recently received a surprise package from my friend and original erhu teacher in Taiwan, Li Shi Chi. Haven't heard from him in a while, but we had his daughter stay with us a few years ago while she took English at a local college.

Included in the package were several books, including that great one about Liu Tian Hua, with his music in jianpu as well as notation, AND some killer DVDs of erhu performances. I've been entranced with one in particular, and my dodgy Chinese tells me it's the graduation performance of a student of the Shanghai Conservatory. The performer's name is Sun Huang.

She performs the famous solo from Carmen as well as some Paganini. But she also does some great Jingju (Chinese Opera) on ZHonghu, accompanied by a trad ensemble (including one player with a CAPO on her Daruan!) But she also does a very traditional piece, which kind of sounds Vietnamese to my untutored ears, on an erhu with no qianjin. I didn't know it was ever played like this, but I could see that she used the separated strings with bowing and pizzicato.

Great stuff. I found a Youtube video of her:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLHUkwha4K8

She's my new inspiration.

Carlos

[sanmenxia]

The "no jianjin" piece sounds like it's probably "Tan Yue" (lit. playing music) by Sun Wenming. The only recording of it I've got is by the composer himself, I've never seen another CD/cassette with this piece. As I've only heard and never seen this piece being played, I'm not sure how it's performed, my guess it that only the outer string is bowed, with the left hand in a high position (high as in nearer to bridge), and the inner string is only plucked (or bowed as well) as an open string.

I've also got a book (in Chinese) about Sun Wenming and it's got all his pieces in jianpu.

Paganini on the erhu?! I suppose it's inevitable, I think whilst it's spectacular as a showstopper and for virtuosic display, for me it's not really what erhu or traditional Chinese music is all about.

[calden]

Yes, that's it - Tan Yue, Sun Wenming. It's beautiful.

I pretty much agree about Western music on Chinese instruments. However this performance was really stunningly done. She also does "Flight of the Bumblebee," another crowd pleaser.

I definitely recommend this DVD. I can't seem to find a reference for it on Google, but I did stumble on a Hong Kong eBay notice for a beginner erhu book with Sun Huang teaching. It's got a video clip of her playing and teaching, and as is often the case, her most excellent intonation and technique and touch are immediately apparent on the simplest exercises:

buyeng.ebay.com.hk/buying/hk/display/140203193413_Complete-Chinese-Music-Erhu-Guide-DVD--Book-Beginner

Carlos

[wanggx]

Sun Huang is amazing. She got the techniques and performs contemparary pieces really well. Her traditional pieces are excellent too. The rising Erhu soloist in China now. In fact she played Paganini Caprice No. 24 on her graduation concert. Amazing isn't she?

[calden]

She certainly is amazing. I've watched that DVD several times now, and agree with your observations, wanggx. I normally don't like Western pieces on erhu, but she lends them credibility.

I played a few of the selections for my bandmates (trad Irish music) who usually roll their eyes at some of the things I've exposed them to (jingju, gaohu solos, etc.). They were amazed at her precision going up through the high positions. They simply had never heard Pagannini played that well on ANY stringed instrument. Perfect and tasteful vibrato and dynamics.

Now that I've got them listening, NOW is the time to expose them to more traditional stuff!

Carlos