Dance of the Yi People, composed by Wang Huiran in 1960, is a classical Pipa composition that airs a sense of happy life and can be heard almost everywhere in China.
This piece combines the spirit of the folk tradition and the best use of the Pipa technique, which becomes the model for contemporary Pipa compositions.
In the first part, it's slow and then becomes faster. It seems that we're at a Yi people's village in the tender moonlight.
In the 2nd part, the nice slow melody gives us an impression of dancing Yi girls.
In the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th parts, the melody is more rapid and powerful and makes us think of bold and handsome Yi lads. Then the music tends to be tender, like Yi maids get back from the heaven.
In the 7th, 8th and 9th parts, it's the reappearance of the first part to make people filled with great happiness. Then the music fades away slowly like people getting back in the sound produced by Lusheng far away.