Butterfly Lovers

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. It is my favorite piece of Chinese music. It is the the Chinese Romeo and Juliette story. After their deaths they appear as butterflies flying off together. The story was written 1000 years ago. The music was composed in 1959. It is one of the favorite stories of people in China.

I wish some smart, talented Christian would add sacred words.

Listen at:

A short version to give you an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfc4XBX7N9I

In 1995 when I worked in Xi'an a blind young man sat on the street playing his erhu. Often he would play Butterfly Lovers. He was very good.

Across a narrow street from our apartment in Xi'an in 2000 a very elderly man would sit, outside his front door on nice days, playing his erhu ... such beautiful music floated to us from his playing.

A longer version featuring the erhu, the instrument this music is usually played on. Incredible music from such an instrument: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOuPpyuqcOE

The entire concerto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK3jRo6aTbQ