Yuan Jingfang (ed.): Comprehensive Introduction to Chinese Traditional Music, translated by Boyu Zhang and Lam Ching-Wah, Wien: Hollitzer Verlag, 2023, 668 pages, 17 x 24,7 cm, English, Hardcover
ISBN 978-3-99094-096-9 (pbk) € 65,00
ISBN 978-3-99094-097-6 (pdf) € 64,99
Comprehensive Introduction to Chinese Traditional Music
Comprehensive Introduction to Chinese Traditional Music offers a detailed survey of Chinese traditional music in five chapters, each dealing with a different genre. The five genres are folk songs, dance music, narrative singing, music from Chinese opera, and instrumental music. The book begins with an introduction providing an overview of Chinese traditional music history, its connotations and main musical features, an indispensable context for readers unfamiliar with the subject. Within the main text, the authors discuss not only the local music genres, focusing on instruments, music analysis, and tonal theories, but also the historical evolution, performance, and social contexts associated with the music. A glossary of Chinese musical terms is listed in the appendix.
INHALT
Notes from the translator and proofreader
List of music examples
List of illustrations
INTRODUCTION
I. Long History of Traditional Chines Music Culture
II. Rich Connotation of Traditional Chinese Music Culture
III. Main Features of Traditional Chinese Music Culture
CHAPTER I: FOLK SONGS
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
I. Definition of Folk Songs
II. Historical Evolution of Folk Songs
III. Status of Folk Songs in Lives of the Chines
SECTION 2: TYPES OF FOLK SONGS AND THEIR ARTISTIC FEATURES
I. Folk Songs of Han People
II. Genres of Folk Songs of Ethnic Groups
CHAPTER II: DANCE MUSIC
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
I. Definition of Dance Music
II. Historical Evolution of Chinese Dance Music
III. Artistic Features of Folk Dance
SECTION 2 DANCE MUSIC AND ITS ARTISTIC FEATURES
I. Vocal Dance Music
II. Instrumental Dance Music
III. Composite Dance Music
CHAPTER III NARRATIVE SINGING
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
I. Definition of Narrative Singing
II. Historical Evolutions of Narrative Singing
III. The Position of Narrative Singing in Traditional Chinese Culture
SECTION 2: CATEGORIES AND ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF NARRATIVE SINGING
I. Labeled Piece-based Narrative Singing
II. Narrative Singing: Gushu (Drum Songs)
III. The Art of Narrative Singing of Ethnic Minorities
CHAPTER IV: MUSIC OF CHINESE OPERA (XIQU)
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
I. Definition of Music of Chinese Opera (Xiqu)
II. Historical Evolution of Xiqu Music
III. Position of Xiqu Art in Traditional Chinese Culture
SECTION 2: CATEGORIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF XIQU MUSIC
I. Classification of Xiqu Music
II. Four Major Xiqu Melodic Types and Their Characteristics
III. Introduction to Selected Emerging Regional Xiqu Genres
CHAPTER V: INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
I. Definition of Instrumental Music and the Concept of Yuezhong (Music Genre)
II. Historical Evolution of Instrumental Music
III. The Roles of Chinese Instrumental Ensembles in Chinese Traditional Music Culture
SECTION 2: SOLO AND ENSEMBLE GENRES AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
I. Types of Solo Music and Their Music Characteristics
II. Major Types of Ensemble Music and Their Artistic Characteristics
REFERENCES
CONTINUING READING MATERIALS
SOUND RECORDINGS FOR LISTENING AND ANALYSES RELATED TO EACH CHAPTER
APPENDIX
GLOSSARY OF CHINESE TERMS
ABOUT AUTHORS AND TRANSLATORS
