Grand Chinese New Year Concert 1998: Xun, Xiao and Guqin

Title: Hu Jia (胡笳） Orchestra: China National Traditional Orchestra Xun: Du Ciwen 杜次文 Xiao: Zeng Zhaobin 曾昭斌 Guqin: Gong Yi 龚一 Venue: Vienna Musikverein Golden Hall The xun 埙 After a period of common use in ancient times, the xun lost importance. It was not until the 1980s, that this small clay instrument was revived. The xun is shaped like an egg and it is hollow inside. Its body is normally carved with floral pattern. It has a blowhole and six or seven finger holes, and a range of only one octave. Nevertheless, its tone quality is vibrant and charming. The xun is normally played in small ensembles. The xiao 箫 The xiao (in ancient time called shudi, “vertical di“) is a vertically-played flute made of bamboo. Normally, the xiao has four or five finger holes in the front and one in the back, while the body is long and narrow, though also different types can be found. Similar fl