Erhu lovers trace instrument's origins in Wuxi

A group of erhu learners from Qingdao, Shandong province perform in front of the Second Spring under Heaven, a spring in Xihui Park at the foot of Wuxi's Mount Hui where local notable folk musician Hua Yanjun created the legendary erhu piece The Moon Over a Fountain. [Photo/ wxrb.com]

More than 30 erhu players from Qingdao University for the Aged in Qingdao, Shandong province went on a trip to the southern Jiangsu province city of Wuxi to explore the cultural roots of the traditional Chinese two-stringed fiddle in early May.

Often called the "hometown of the erhu" in China, Wuxi has produced a number of legendary erhu performers including Zhou Shaomei (1885-1938) and Liu Tianhua (1895-1932), whom made great contributions to the development of the erhu as a solo instrument.

During their three-day trip, the group visited the Second Spring under Heaven, a spring in Xihui Park at the foot of Mount Hui where the notable local folk musician Hua Yanjun created the legendary erhu piece The Moon Over a Fountain. They also visited Hua's former residence as well as Meicun in Wuxi's Xinwu district, which still houses a number of factories manufacturing the instrument.