The“The Lady Generals of the Yang Family” is a symphony suite for Jinghu and Erhu by Wu Hua and a contemporary work with materials of traditional Chinese music. With applications of tunes of Beijing opera and forms in Chinese opera music like Banqiang style and Qupai style, the suite not only makes influences on the performing style and expressivity of Jinghu and Erhu but also is regarded as the first and significant double concerto for Jinghu and Erhu in contemporary compositions for stringed instruments. The suite was commissioned by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and therefore was performed by Erhu performers Ngai Kwun-wa and Lu Yun-xia at Hong Kong Sha Tin Town Hall and Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.
The research aimed to probe into Wu Hua’s double concerto for Jinghu and Erhu “The Lady Generals of the Yang Family” symphony suite and analyze its structure and the applications of Beijing opera music. The text consisted of four sections. The first part concerned the Wu Hua’s background, composing idea and the composing process of the suite. Next, the second part was about the connection between the suite and Beijing opera, and the following part was the analysis of composing methods for the suite. Last but not least, form analysis and performing interpretation were discussed in the last part.
The research on the symphony suite “The Lady Generals of the Yang Family” is expected to help future performers and researchers comprehend the work and further do contributions to studies of Erhu’s development.
