Repertoire of Erhu Melody: Two Springs Reflect the Moon
 
Erhu, also called Huqin, was known as Xiqin during the Song Dynasty. Huqin described in Yuan Dynasty records was the real forerunner of the modern Erhu, having its stem, sound box and pegs made of wood. The sound box can be round, hexagonal or octagonal, with one end covered with snakeskin, sometimes from a python, and the other end, an ornamentally carved sound vent. There are two strings, played with a bamboo bow with horsetail hairs passing behind the strings. The range is normally five octaves, and sometimes four in special cases. In modern times, many people have made innovations to improve the tone color of Erhu.
The most widespread piece of Erhu music in China is Two Springs Reflect the Moon, composed by the Wuxi folk artist Ah Bing, whose original name was Hua Yanjun, in the mid 20th century. This work has two themes, which complement and intertwine, and finally melt into each other subtly and smoothly. Step by step and variation upon variation, the two themes rise and fall effortlessly. The crescendos especially show the composer's steely and unyielding spirit.
There is a profound range of feeling in this piece, which incorporates a majestic spirit within a tightly knit composition. Vigorous variations in bowing technique make full use of the five hand positions, and the result is a fiercely emotional coloring expressing of the composer's suppressed grief at having tasted to the full the bitterness of life in the old society. Two Springs Reflect the Moon is an exquisite example of Chinese instrumental folk music stemming from the heart of a small-town folk artist.

《二泉映月》是中国著名民间艺人华彦钧先生遗留下来的名作。这首乐曲是中国人民家喻户晓的，现在已经走进了世界音乐的殿堂，博得了国际友人的喜爱和赞扬。
《二泉映月》乐曲一开始由一声凄楚的长长的叹息声展现了意境，我们在乐曲中仿佛看到了一位盲艺人在朦胧的月光下，那呆滞的目光投向远方，人却沉醉在那感人肺腑的音乐里，这优美而凄凉的乐声游荡在空巷子里，远处，惠山下的泉水潺潺的流淌，在月光下闪闪发光，可是这位艺人却什么也看不到，他的眼前漆黑一片，他的周围永远是黑暗，他倾诉着自己的不幸，倾吐着对未来美好的向往，带着朦胧的憧憬和希望，又交织着疑问和忧伤，音乐在梦幻般的意境中渐渐地消失。
世界著名的指挥家小泽征尔先生听了这段乐曲被感动的热泪盈眶，他动情地说：“用断肠之感形容真是太合适了，这首乐曲应该
跪下来听。”