Historic recording of "Gu Su Xing" 《姑苏行》 by Yu Xunfa 俞逊发, dizi 笛子

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• published: 25 May 2015
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"Gu Su Xing" 《姑苏行》 (A Visit to Suzhou), performed by Yu Xunfa (俞逊发, 1946-2006), dizi (笛子, Chinese bamboo flute), with the Traditional Instrument Ensemble of the Shanghai Beijing Opera Troupe (上海京剧团民乐队). Gusu (姑苏) is an old name for the city of Suzhou, in southeastern Jiangsu province, China. The piece was composed in 1962 by the Chinese composer Jiang Xianwei (江先渭, 1924-2014), and the version heard here was probably adjusted by Yu Xunfa. It is unknown who made the arrangement for the ensemble accompaniment. The piece's slow main melody (beginning at 0:55, and returning at 2:28) is adapted from "Xiao Baimen" 《小拜门》, a qupai ("named tune") from Kunqu (昆曲), China's tradition of classical theater dating back to the Ming Dynasty. This tune is also known as "Xiao Liu Yaojin" 《小柳摇金》, and is essentially an augmented form of the qupai "Jie Jie Gao" 《节节高》, with melodic elaboration. Recorded in 1975. From "The Moon is High: Folk Instrumental Music" 《月儿高：民族器乐曲》, a 7-inch disc released by China Record Company in 1978 (M-2328). The composer Jiang Xianwei is not credited in the record's jacket notes; the piece is simply called a "folk music piece" (民间乐曲). This record was acquired by Alan Canfora of Ohio, United States during a trip to China in the summer of 1978.