Chinese Orchestra And Modernisation In China

Front 1

what does sizhu mean?

Back 1

• literally means 'silk and bamboo"

• refers to genre of chinese music which string and wind instruments dominate

Front 2

what is Jiangnan?

Back 2

• 'South of the river"

• includes Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui provinces, municipality of Shanghai

Front 3

what three groups of instruments does sizhu use?

Back 3

strings (silk)

winds (bamboo)

percussion

Front 4

what are the three wind instruments used?

Back 4

1. dizi: bamboo flute

2. xiao: end blown bamboo flute

3. sheng: free reed bamboo pipes

Front 5

what are the three stringed instruments used?

Back 5

• Erhu: 2-stringed bowed fiddle

• Pipa: 4-stringed plucked lute

• Yangqin: hammered dulcimer

Front 6

what are the three percussion instruments used?

Back 6

• Ban: wooden clapper, with two slabs of wood attached together loosely by a cord at one end

• Biqi gu: small frame drum

• Bangzi: rectangular wood block with horizontal slit played with a single stick of wood or bamboo

Front 7

what is the social organisation of jiangnan sizhu clubs?

Back 7

• Amateur in nature

• Perform in public teahouses, auditorium, neighborhood locations

Front 8

what is typical of a chinese ensemble rehearsal/performance?

Back 8

• Musicians sit around a rectangular table

• Yangqin and percussions at both ends, erhu and pipa flank both sides of yangqin player

• Anyone can suggest pieces to be played

• Musicians play in the order they arrive; older musicians/out-of-town visitor may be asked

  
  

  to play first as an honor

• No admission charge in music clubs; public teahouses, patrons pay a nominal charge for a pot of tea

• Noisy atmosphere: one can hardly hear the music unless seated with the musicians

Front 9

what are the aesthetics of Jiangnan Sizhu? (3)

Back 9

1. core repetoire is "ba daqu" (8 great pieces)

2. each musician plays the melody slightly differently from other musicians--> heterophony

3. emphasis on realisation of pieces rather than mere repetition

Front 10

Characteristics of Qupai and 8 Great Pieces

Back 10

Front 11

define: qupai

Back 11

labelled tunes

Front 12

how does lao liuban function as a qupai and what are its characteristics?

Back 12

• qupai for Zhonghua Liuban and Man Liuban

• characteristics: expansion of basic qupai; density changes but qupai structure remains

Front 13

what different performance practices are there?

Back 13

1. techniques related to certain instruments

2. regional styles

3. performance standards

4. tastes of individual performer/ensemble

5. interaction with ensemble is more important than individual

Front 14

what musical and social changes happened in china in the 20th century?

Back 14

1. question Chinese traditional validity

2. Wester = practicality/modern

3. May 4th movement: obstacle to modernization

Front 15

what is the progression of western influence on Chinese music?

Back 15

1. western music superior to chinese music (western > Chinese)

2. combined western and chinese music (western = chinese)

3. development and experiment with chinese music (modern = chinese)

Front 16

what did a modern Chinese orchestra symbolise in china during the 20th century?

Back 16

• modernization

• influence of the west

• progression of traditional chinese music, still maintains love for chinese music

Front 17

how does traditional sizhu compare with modern chinese orchestra?

Back 17