A folk ensemble performs Spring Festival Overture. [Photo/wxrb.com]

The magnificent Wuxi Grand Theatre echoed with splendid melodies on Jan 4 as a folk music concert brought local residents the performance of 15 classic musical pieces celebrating traditional culture at the start of the year.

Famed musicians including erhu masters Zhu Changyao and Deng Jiandong, suona (double-reeded horn) master Liu Ying and pipa (Chinese lute) master Wu Yuxia delivered wonderful performances showcasing the highest levels of musicianship.

Niu Changhong, a famous Banhu (two-stringed spike fiddle) player, performs at the New Year's concert held at the Wuxi Grand Theater on Jan 4. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Co-organized by the publicity department of Wuxi and the Wuxi Xinwu district government, the concert was hosted by the Meicun sub-district, and aimed to enrich people's cultural life while promoting the development of folk music, especially the artistic value of the erhu.

The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument. At home in solo performance the erhu also blends well with small ensembles and large orchestras. It is the most popular of the huqin family of traditional bowed string instruments used by various ethnic groups in China.

Wu Yuxia, a famous Chinese musician, plays the Pipa (Chinese lute) at the New Year's concert held at the Wuxi Grand Theater on Jan 4. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Meicun is often recognized as the "hometown of the erhu" in China. It is one of the birthplaces of the Wu Culture. Meicun has a number of factories, some of which were set up as early as 1965, to produce the instrument.

The erhu has gradually become an important part of the Wu Culture and a distinctive symbol for Meicun and the city of Wuxi. The local government has vowed to integrate this provincial intangible cultural heritage to further drive the regional cultural tourism industry.