Ballad of Lan Huahua 兰花花叙事曲 Erhu（二胡）- Yu Hong Mei 于红梅

[@ck.youtube]

For those of you, non-Chinese especially, who didn’t know the story behind this music and almost shed tears listening to this piece, you’re very right in feeling this way, as this music is describing a sad story (a true story which happened in a village south of Yan An in 1919) about a girl being forced to marry to an old landlord by her father who opposed the romantic love of his daughter. The daughter’s sweetheart happened to be a soldier, with whom she had an intimate relationship. The soldier was soon sent off to the battlefield leaving behind the girl. The girl’s family felt disgraced and wanted to marry her off. She resisted but to no avail. Broken heart and terribly missing her sweetheart, she finally died at the age of 24... However, the story described in the music is a little different from the true story, adding somewhat more dramatic twists to accentuate the sadness of the story....the girl escaped the bondage and tried to find her sweetheart, being pursued from behind by the landlord's cohort, she fell off a cliff and died... ------------------- *Addendum* (2020-02-25) : Here's the synopsis of the story. It should help viewers to follow the musical narration a lot better. dharma-documentaries.net/ballad-of-lan-huahua-played-by-yu-hongmei The following synopsis of the story is based on comments by Allen Zhou: The folk story depicts a farmer’s daughter whose name is Lan Huahua (literally a kind of flower in Chinese), she is probably 17 or 18 years old, presumably very beautiful, leading a poor but simple life. 3:00 She is playing in the mountains, maybe with flowers, happy and innocent. 4:24 She hears news she will be forced to marry a wealthy landlord because her father could not pay the rent. 6:09 Weeping and sobbing by herself, she wants to resist fate, but in vain, this is the saddest part of the piece. 9:41 She escapes from her husband and is chased by servants of the landlord. 10:40 Running uphill, the road becomes narrower and suddenly she is facing a cliff. 10:45 She jumps and falls into the river under the cliff and dies. 11:44 The author’s feeling for Lan Huahua. 12:25 In the village, people still remember her as in the past, but they will never see her again. ------------------ *Correction* (2020-02-25) : The real girl behind this true story was named Ji Yanling (姬延玲), born in 1919 in Yan An. And the soldier was with the Red Army. Yan An was the final destination of the epic Long March of the Red Army led by Mao. So the story probably happened in 1936 after the Red Army's arrival, and not 1919 as I wrote above. The girl was about 17 or 18 at the time. The basic song lyrics was said to be written by that soldier who came back years later. And the melody style was based on a form of local folk tune. The final version of the song was later edited/re-composed by two other musicians. Source : baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%85%B0%E8%8A%B1%E8%8A%B1/2372 Here's is the original song, with English translation of the lyrics attached in the description panel : kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6mvaoltg8mbmbs The song version is a simple ballad made up of 8 periods, each period consists only two basic phrases. While the instrument version is more extended in development and rendition, with more melody segments to tell a fuller story. Here's a *flute version* of this music piece. Different flavor, but equally expressive and emotive, and superbly preformed with the same deep passion : kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnfHiHtpe7mnpZo

[@sajidullah]

+ck what could be more sad than the story of Nanjiang ? I have actually cried with real tears .

[@GrosserMagus]

+X-Ray Crystallography Yes, and today she would be dead anyway. And no beautiful songs would be played about her.

[@vortex162]

+X-Ray Crystallography LOL, when there is NO chemistry between two people then it won't be with the "best" of intentions!!!!! When feeling is deep, then there is NO escape! Today's people don't feel deep anymore that's why marriages end after two years,LOL!!!!!!

[@Ibteacherchen]

would you like to be forced to marry someone you dont even like?

[@RobertVeasquez]

GrosserMagus listen to the Eagles song, “Lying Eyes”.....You’ll learn a little bit about the human heart that you have never known.

[@Yertaiofficial]

Chinese music is always great. There is just something ancient, and very otherworldly to it. It's as if it was calling out to your soul.

[@kengsoonlee775]

兰花花叙事曲（二胡）于红梅，我是新加坡海外潮汕人，喜爱，乐听华乐，虽然对华乐的认识浅薄，但此乐器（二胡）一奏来特别动听，清晰，响亮无比。我认为兰花花的演艺，技术超群，给我感觉到她的演奏乐曲，音调有天籁之风。赞👍

[@higiniojimenezcanales983]

Muy buena mi gusta. Soy de Perú.

[@kungfumaster8171]

Something about an Erhu that touches the human soul

[@natanmandala]

This instrument hits something very deep in my brain, because I cry every single time I hear it. The women playing this is my favorite. She complements the erhu so nice.

[@mrng5995]

11

[@acx1337]

That woman is as beautiful as the music she is playing.

[@minnielee3399]

+acx113214 A fat minger playing it just won't be quite the same :-D

[@zach2042]

What a stupid comment :)

[@yueqiangzou3631]

Minnie Lee a

[@RetroFan]

No it's not.

[@christopherstube9473]

@@minnielee3399but it is the handling of the bow that is exquisite, so the physical beauty is incidental to the musician within. But it is a very impressive presentation by two very talented youths.

[@ClassicOldSong]

刀郎用真正音質感動真實力的大家肯定／刀郎一定要繼續持續不斷為愛你歌迷繼續発揚発売👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@MaskedRiderChris]

Goes to show that making the most of what you have--only two strings, no frets or even a fretboard, in this case--can reap astounding results. Miss Yu is gorgeous and has massive talent as well. I nearly shed tears listening to this piece, and feel no shame in admitting that.

[@jub8891]

nicely worded!

[@yiuleungwan5547]

登峰造极 举世无双

[@ภวัตวิจิตรนุกูล]

เพลงจีน

[@paynzhou8033]

I shed tears listening to this piece each time.

[@kirosumerinde9037]

La música China apasiona. Maravillosos instrumentos. Cuando ella suelta la cuerda... Su mente viaja ... Desde Perú saludos.

[@GoldenSweetOldies2024]

您的音樂才華讓我們感到非常震撼和敬佩。

[@phyto56]

听过许多超一流的二胡演奏家拉这首曲子，但于红梅老师似乎达到了不可逾越的境界。绝对没有贬低他人的意思。

[@MrCinghialotto]

dunno why, but when they started playing, my tears started flowing...

[@nikolailyazkov3260]

She makes the Er Hu sound like a Stradivarius violin. Brilliant melodic playing from an extremely talented Chinese woman.

[@Tour-x8]

我喜歡你拉的二胡曲！每首都好聽打動我內心！謝謝您！

[@陳展強-t1f]

😊😊😊😅😅😅🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@tiamarie6719]

If someone asked me what I think is the most beautiful music in the world, I would say this is. It sounds like it came straight down from Heaven.

[@reneandre1174]

WOW! Fantasic performance. Her emotion is all over her face. She emotes her connection to the Erhu, the music, and with the other musician. The control and delicacy of her bow and finger movement are that of a master musician. The range of sound and chords coming from only two strings are unbelievable. She must have begun playing this instrument was a child. What a treasure she is. I loved the performance.

[@TenderSalmon]

從沒聽過這麼動人心絃的藍花花!

[@RobertVeasquez]

Since I am a westerner, American, of course I would not know about the story behind the song. It seems many cultures have similar stories, “Romeo and Juliet”. The Hatfield’s and McCoys. Being a musician I have loved traditional music from around the world. The Erhu being one of my favorite instruments. I even have a software that allows me to play my guitar and sound like an Erhu. The tone and level of technique this young lady exhibits is the best performance on the Erhu I have ever heard. I will have to repeat it again when ?I am done posting this.

[@003640933]

于红梅 才藝氣質令人激賞

[@liuyang722]

前段时间看BBC交响乐团演奏这首曲子，再听这个，真的是一人抵得上全乐团啊

[@RSMaxxy]

The violin-like instrument is called an Èrhú（二胡）, and the one played with the hammers is called a Yángqín（扬琴）

[@XPK15]

Are those their traditional characters?

[@mrsunny9105]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻✌🏼️✌🏼️✌🏼️🌹💝🌺🍎🍒🍇好曲！听出耳油！

[@DrKristinaRizzotto]

Thank you for the beautiful recording! The erhu is one of my favorite instruments in the world.

[@WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

The Erhu is a beautiful instrument

[@HouseOfShuv455]

At 6:56 she felt that note she didn't play that note she felt that note her and that note were one in the same get out of here if y'all can't appreciate the Erhu I don't know what to tell y'all this woman is amazing

[@DeepExpression]

Such a simple instrument, but very expressive in the right hands. I'm sure she's making it look far easier than it is. Such is the case with mastery of any endeavor. I also love the way Chinese use color. Bright vibrant reds, golds, yellows, blues, etc. Yu's natural beauty and passion for the song adds a great deal to the video as a whole.

[@samt1175]

时代的过失，于老師您是活版的林黛玉。如演林黛玉無人可及。

[@arlo247]

She is one of the most amazing and talented erhu players I've ever heard. Remarkably beautiful playing. What an incredibly beautiful song as well.

[@bobhedstrom]

She and the instrument are One. The expression is so wonderful; I've never seen a guitarist get into it like this woman is.

[@BlessAllKC]

Toby blake, This is not the "Chinese guitar," the "pipa" is. This 2 string instrument is known as the "Erhu," & is commonly referred to as the "Chinese violin."

[@lucreciagonzales2208]

Muy linda hermosa melodia🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹👍👍

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Her expressiveness throughout the performance, her skill at playing, and her connection to the soul of the story; I was brought to tears by the sheer beauty of the ballad.

[@jesusnunez2969]

Beautiful music and moving performance. The yellow color of that dress is really something, it looks like a living thing.

[@FengtasticCAE]

As a lover of music and beauty I am happy sort of wandered around and found this . I must thank the internet for exposing the world to beautiful things of all cultures which otherwise they might never be exposed to in their lifetime :) watching Yu Hongmei play the instrument it is obvious she is very skilled I like the way the instrument the Erhu looks like playing it is very fluid and natural the movements look sort of like the music sounds a lot of the time and you could play what you are feeling ..I think the skill of Yu Hong Mei makes this instrument look easier and I would not find it easy heh heh ..I am learning piano actually keyboarding if I ever learn an instrument implementing the use of a bow I think I would enjoy playing this instrument and would treat it with the respect and fun that comes with loving music and enjoying life . I enjoyed this video .Thanks for posting and good wishes to all

[@yuhongmei1154]

Thank you!

[@pengfeiai9340]

你是…你真的是？？真的是你么？

[@ngmhg]

+Hongmei Yu Miss Yu, thankyou for having enriched my life with such beautiful music. I am from Hong Kong and look forward to your next performance here.

[@relaaxitsme]

+Hongmei Yu made me cry.

[@ariefsheik3078]

hi what is the name of the stunning lady playing the erhu most beautifully

[@weiyouzeng5588]

+Arief Sheik Her name is Hong-Mei Yu 于紅梅

[@yudigargate9790]

Me en canta es lo maximo

[@ravencami]

Somehow, erhu enchants me. The sound from it is delicate and at the same time free, it indicates plains and journeys through the soul and broadens the horizons, shows pure beauty of the nature and world around that cannot be seen with mind set only on things that bring us gain or temporal happiness. I'd say it's a seed of eternity. And awe for it is natural, as we change and pass by. Still, we can do so much. Achieve so much... And start it by just opening our ears... and eyes.

[@裘杨]

于红梅这首曲子拉得我心醉。

[@bonsherah]

我想，世界上最好的二胡音樂家 在音樂會上，耳朵和眼睛的感覺 音樂和身體運動是和諧的，這真是太好了

[@ponyrang]

My best friend, Enjoyed watching this video my friend Really awesome views Thank you Stay connected

[@ShockPopStudios]

Wow she is the most perfect woman ever

[@sajidullah]

+ShockPopStudios my dream woman

[@Fluid-combo]

This song makes me feel like an entire life time has gone by everytime i listen to it. Completely breath taking display of talent and discipline!

[@LaughingBearGames]

Right in the feels... So beautiful and sad at the same time.

[@meowmusicsunny]

感謝您的音樂讓我們感受到了這麼多的愛和美好。

[@brianthompson2089]

Erhu has an almost human like sound. Very expressive!

[@Wild1Banana]

Yu Hong Mei talent and music brings notes from all over the winds from mountains and streams flowing into my heart to summon my passion for her melody.

[@sajidullah]

Yu is like a fairy from some other world.

[@miguelbaeza4268]

Es música llena de movimientos sutiles y sonidos que relajan. Gracias por difundirla.

[@apollolee4374]

心緒與二胡 已然合一 極美 極感人

[@edwardmorton6691]

Anybody who doesn't feel the sadness and romance in this music is either stone cold dead or is dead but doesn't realise it yet. The story behind this piece is in many senses universal and consequently the emotional content knows no cultural boundaries. Here in Ireland similar stories are told of arranged marriage and lost love. The beautiful player not only conveys perfectly the hurt in the music but also in her facial expression and body language. A perfect performance all round and utterly moving.

[@ck.youtube]

Your comment is right on the mark... universal human emotions. I am intrigued by your mentioning of similar stories in Ireland. Has there been any musical piece written for such stories?

[@david1234lee]

This is the best erhu player in the world! I heard she is currently woed by a Wall Street multi-millionare from Taiwan. Hope she will catch these millions while she is still so pretty and popular. Taiwan's Teresa Teng never had such a chance and passed away in Thailand tragically.

[@1cleandude]

What a stellar performance! Both musicians are fantastic in their art and well trained. Yu's emotion to the piece really adds character to it. Lovely and the Ladies too!!

[@niazwalikhan7789]

I love chinese erhu and traditional music love for china from pakistan

[@andycobra49aor]

Thanks for the beautiful music....YOU ARE such cute, gorgeous Chinese lady....Take care...Respectfully; Andy

[@andreaaldrich4046]

This is my favorite erhu song!

[@tytrehalf5354]

So much music created from two strings. Bravo.

[@abubi]

從未聽過拉得這麼好的二胡!

[@italy9000000]

Absolutely delicious Thanks for sharing. Long live Music Down with politicians ;)

[@smizms]

this is the most beautiful Chinese song I have EVER heard

[@子住长江头]

美女美曲，在夜深人静时独自小酌，有回到古代。

[@HiroshiKoto]

She plays the Erhu with great passion! I'll never play Niko that good as her! She's awesome!!!!!! Keep on playing!!!!!!

[@bloodinflame]

she is gorgeous!

[@fridolinzimbo]

Wonderful Yu Hong Mei...additional the people, the music and much more are amazing in China!!Kind greetings from Germany, ZIMBO

[@maykanderson5537]

柔软的微风，深似海的东西

[@TommyTongSun-Wing]

These hands do magic!

[@johnbrigham6126]

Soooooooo emotional and beautiful.Tugs the heart strings and brings tears to the eyes. Yu Hongmei is so talented

[@yobrojoost]

Wow, what a talented player she is! And very beautiful as well!

[@tonyyee218]

Ms Yu, magnificent rendition..heard and felt by all of my being

[@邱蘭英-s8o]

有身入其境的感覺，真柔，真美

[@wuzi555]

天天都听红梅曲。

[@johnchoi4943]

拉得非常好，百聽不厭。

[@susieshang7162]

考级的时候 每天都会跟着于红梅老师的这个视频一起拉。 现在快要十年过去了， 又来听兰花花，第一个想到的就是于红梅老师。 老师真的是把每一段的那个不同的感情都展现的淋漓尽致。 感谢老师为我们演奏出了这首兰花花叙事曲。谢谢上传者的分享。

[@AMaZinPoLyz]

what talented people can do with pieces of wood and wire is amazing! awesome

[@gempassion]

That was! That was sooooooo beautiful!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!

[@andycobra49aor]

Yu Hong Mei;I want you to know that your music are such nice music, and you are such Gorgeous woman, take care..Respectfully; andy

[@FeatherShard]

You really know you're seeing something special when you see her play. I'd bet that if you watched her play the same song ten times over, it'd be exactly the same each time. Every expression, each nod of her head, and every angle of her body. I'll bet even her eyes go to the same places as she watches the mental cues in her mind that trigger muscle memory throughout her body. That sounds unromantic, but is really special - the song flows completely through her mind and body in order to be played

[@dollar4shawn]

She's pretty darn good at playing that thing...

[@harolddavis9774]

Love Love your Performance .

[@madahikhan3352]

I want to learn how to play the erhu!!!!

[@launchingpatrick]

Yes! I as well!!

[@shrekisloveshrekislive2090]

Then...uh...do it ?!

[@李錫泉-o1d]

我很愛听于紅梅二胡真好好听．

[@張富順-c3z]

音色很重要，很好聽。

[@suarezjaguar]

wonderful performance. thanks for sharing this video.

[@cindyfay5238]

The tragic story behind this song is very moving. I cannot help feeling sad while playing the song.

[@nbcrompton]

Wow a youtube video with no hate or internet fighting... there is a God....

[@poonchankee7849]

The erhu may sound sad but it will always gives u a peace of mind n it is also simply breathtaking. As for the Pipa it is always gives u a lot of encouragement n also the adrenalized l guess.

[@msandover]

Just the best.

[@wingchunexpert]

Yu is my favorite, beloved erhu player ever. I love her dearly. My only regret is I never had a chance to physically meet her. Sad.....

[@lorde0147]

the sound of the Erhu is of beauty and of sweet sounds such things are of miss in my life every time I heir the sounds of it, it brings a tear to my eye

[@HouseOfShuv455]

look I've made comments on this video before maybe I was too excited because I messed up my last comments but I'm back again to make another comment look at 5:21 she reached from the spiritual to grab that note and brought it to the natural that is how profound it is for a lack of better words it's just simply amazing

[@bralamzali2304]

👍👍👍👍👍🙏❤ 精彩的🙏

[@JOHNBLAKSTAR]

mi se face pielea de gaina cand ascult acest gen de muzica. ami place ff mult si mi se pare ff interesant acest gen de muzica.

[@samuelcasey1519]

Amazing and beautiful!

[@emanuelelupidi5778]

Musica meravigliosa, straordinari i musicisti

[@milanoBAND]

美丽......他们正在玩的井、 赞美 :)

[@kinchungnam2671]

神仙姐姐！

[@JaluPC]

Wow, great performance !

[@01artemisa]

what a masterprice! and her smile is so beautiful

[@heldercavalcante2672]

Respect is mutual, my experience: Treat other people the way you want to be treated. This is the Plataform to enjou LIFE!!! seen the music as the lifE expression!!

[@gabrieldavidpomatoma5728]

QUE EXLENTE MUSICA!!!! buenisima para meditar en... para olvar las penas y con los ojs cerrados imaginar que.. Nos queda otra oportunidad para sonreir y ser feliz sin limites.. pensar que alguien necesita y nos espera con mucha felicidad.

[@Arvioneta]

Belleza!!!! Manifestaciones que nos hacen sentir orgullosos de ser humanos. Gracias, sigo con esperanzas......

[@opalfinity]

Ive never seen this instrument in my life... watching her fingers glide over the strings gave me shivers. Wow...

[@brianthompson2089]

Supreme skill and artistry of both ladies!