Training, performance and music creation on Erhu in the global era
Loading...
Files
Full Text E-thesis
Date
2025
Authors
Liu, Tianyu
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
This PhD thesis explores how the erhu tradition evolved from the 1920s to the 21st century in an increasingly globalised world. By examining the lives and musical accomplishments of five prominent erhu musicians—Liu Tianhua, Sun Wenming, Min Huifen, Liu Changfu and George Gao —the study reflects the development of the erhu within the global dynamics.
Fieldwork was conducted based on my dual identity as an ethnomusicology scholar-erhu player, allowing me to gather a range of representative viewpoints from erhu participants and contemporary composers. These observations include novel modes of musical manifestation that incorporate ethnic, historical, Western and modern components. The research integrates the viewpoints of performers, composers, educators and adult students by using ethnological methodologies, music analysis and literature review.
The thesis is organised into five main chapters, each addressing different aspects of the impact of globalisation on the erhu. Chapter 1 introduces Liu Tianhua’s efforts to integrate Chinese and Western music, establishing a modern erhu tradition. Chapter 2 examines minjian erhu player Sun Wenming as an example of minjian yinyue transitioning into the modernised music system. Chapter 3 focuses on Min Huifen’s career, revealing the interaction between erhu composition and political policy. Chapter 4 highlights Liu Changfu’s work in professionalising erhu through “scientific” methods, while Chapter 5 explores George Gao’s contributions to globalising the erhu, explaining its adaptability in cross-cultural contexts.
Finally, I discuss the music ecology of Chinese erhu and emphasise how globalisation has influenced and shaped erhu and Chinese music culture, including how the erhu gradually evolved into an important symbol of Chinese cultural identity through the interaction of globalisation and localisation, while also revealing its influence and changing process on the dissemination of Chinese music throughout history. From the analysis of the several generations of erhu performers, I reflect on the significance of the erhu as a cultural intermediary, highlighting its role in connecting Chinese music heritage with the global music environment through exploration on the training, performance and music creation of lineages of erhu performers.
Description
Keywords
Chinese music , Erhu , Globalisation , Biographical study
Citation
Liu, T. 2025. Training, performance and music creation on Erhu in the global era. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.