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"If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music."
-Gustav Mahler-
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Abing’s The Moon Reflected on the Second Springs is Abing’s most well known composition as only a few survived. Abing himself is a Chinese composer that lived through China’s most tumultuous times, including the Japanese Invasion of China. He was born in a Taoist family, as his father was a Taoist priest. Abing’s father was proficient in a number of musical instruments and Taoist religious music, thus Abing was exposed to this since an early age. Abing himself became a multi-instrumentalist, able to play not just the Erhu (two-stringed fiddle), but also the dizi (flute). This influence that he got was eventually reflected in his music. Abing’s insertion of aspect of traditional Taoist music can be heard in his compositions, including The Moon Reflected on the Second Springs. Other than that, Abing’s life that spanned through China’s hardest times was also reflected in his music. Abing’s sadness is evident in his compositions. “…The first erhu solo [The Moon Reflected on the Second Springs] is generally understood by many contemporary Chinese to reflect Abing’s life, his supposed political stance, and/or his patriotism expressed through his depiction of Wuxi [Abing’s hometown] scenery,” (Stock, 1). The Moon Reflected on the Second Springs was composed to paint as a depiction of the scenery of Wuxi. Abing intended it as a programme music, much like Die Moldau is.