A Brief Analysis of the Artistic Characteristics and Erhu Playing Techniques of the “Erhu Piece Spring Dawn in Gusu” by Deng Jiandong

Abstract

“Spring Dawn in Gusu” is an Erhu piece composed and performed by the renowned Erhu performer Deng Jiandong, and it is characterized by a strong Jiangnan musical style. This paper first introduces Deng Jiandong’s musical learning experience and its influence on the composition of “Spring Dawn in Gusu”. It then analyzes the musical style of the piece: the work embodies the Jiangnan Sizhu style, adopts the pentatonic scale, and draws on the formal structure of complete sets of vocal patterns in traditional opera music, including Sanban, Yuanban, Zhongban, and Kuaiban (1/4 meter), which gives the piece a dramatic character, depicts a vivid picture of spring in full bloom in the city of Gusu, and highlights the distinctive charm of Jiangnan music, in which undulation is found within gentleness and change is concealed within delicacy. Finally, this paper examines the left- and right-hand Erhu playing techniques, such as supported-finger glissando, vibrato, grace notes, and position shifting, and, in combination with the author’s own performance experience, seeks a reasonable interpretation of the music.