I originally discovered this piece, because Josh Groban said he was composing a piano/zhonghu fusion song back in the 2010 time frame. He recently said he was still working on it. So back in 2010 I searched for zhonghu and "Killed by Sword During Youth" came up.
Killed by Sword During Youth was performed at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music, May 16, 2005. It's about 16 minutes long. There are two youtube videos memorializing it
Killed by Sword During Youth Part I
Killed by Sword During Youth part 2
This piece features an orchestra with some Western Instruments (piano, drum, harp, bass violin) and some Chinese instruments including strings and winds. The sound is unique -- not like anything else I've ever heard.
I had my professor in my ear training course listen to it. He explained to me that Chinese pieces frequently have an additive rhythm, progressing through a sequence somewhat like: 5/4, 7/4, 9/4, and 11/4, and repeatedly.
Anyway, I wanted to note this information here, so I will remember it. I have had trouble getting others interested in this piece, tho Lucia Micarelli liked it.
In any case, I think it shows that the Chinese can be quite adventurous musically.
Here's another performance by that same very cute Chinese string player
piano/erhu rondo
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