The China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra (often rendered “China Broadcast National Orchestra”) is one of China’s flagship traditional-instrument ensembles, founded in 1953 in Beijing and later consolidated with the Chinese Film Orchestra’s folk-instrument group (founded 1949). Built on the modern “Chinese orchestra” model, it combines more than 30 types of instruments—plucked strings, bowed strings, winds and percussion—augmented by modernized bass voices like the laruan and dalaruan. Under its iconic chief conductor Peng Xiuwen, the orchestra made widely circulated recordings of classics such as Dance of the Yao People, Purple Bamboo Melody, The Moon Reflected in Two Springs and Spring on a Moonlit River; many Western listeners first encountered this repertoire via the 1981 CBS anthology Phases of the Moon. Since the late 1950s the ensemble has toured internationally and remains active on streaming platforms with historical and new releases. Today the CBCO (also translated as Central Broadcasting Traditional Instruments Orchestra) is recognized alongside the state-level China National Traditional Orchestra (founded 1960) as a pillar institution for presenting arranged folk tunes, regional suites and new works for large traditional ensemble. Recent presenter notes and label pages continue to profile the CBCO’s touring and recording activity, reflecting its ongoing role in promoting Chinese musical heritage at home and abroad. <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/China+Broadcast+National+Orchestra">Read more on Last.fm</a>. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.