Ruyi Niang - Solo Piano Version (2022)

Ruyi Niang - Solo Piano Version (2022)

Composer & Pianist: ZHIHUA HU

Composed by Zhihua Hu, Ruyi Niang (2022) draws its creative essence from the renowned homonymous poem written by Wu Zetian—the only female emperor in Chinese history—during her early years of reclusion at the Ganye Temple. Written as an intimate love letter to Emperor Gaozong, the poem vividly captures the disarray of a lovesick heart, where the protagonist grows so frail and distracted that she "mistakes red for green", leaving her tears stained upon her pomegranate-red skirt.

Hu's musical interpretation translates this ancient longing into a powerful sonic landscape. The melody shifts fluidly between moments of tender melancholy and overwhelming emotional surges. Rather than a static portrait of sorrow, the piece reflects the turbulent inner world of a historical figure torn between profound vulnerability and her burgeoning, monumental destiny. Through contrasting textures and expressive lyricism, the work bridges the ancient text with modern musical expression, evoking a timeless resonance of human devotion and longing.

The MTV of Zhihua Hu’s Solo Piano Album “The Singing Piano” was filmed in Lincoln Square.

Location: Lincoln Square, New York City

April 20th, 2026