From the early days, musical instruments in China were made from everyday items: hunting tools, trees, bamboo and even bones. During the Zhou Dynasty, there were about 70 instruments. Today, there are hundreds.
But have you ever wondered how these musical instruments in China came about? Well, in this book, the evolution of Chinese music over the centuries is examined, from prehistoric times, through the Qin, Han, Sui and Tang Dynasties, all the way to our modern times.
In addition, the origins and characteristics of specific musical instruments are explored, yielding insight in one’s understanding of these instruments. Legendary accounts related to historical personalities are also featured, including:
- How two phoenixes helped Fuxi, the earliest ancestor of the Chinese, add music to the lives of the people.
- How the musical talents of some individuals were so high they could sense evil elements in a piece of music.
- How Wangzi Qiao became an immortal from playing the sheng.
Indeed, this book holds a treasury of fascinating information and stories pertaining to Chinese musical instruments. This is definitely something any music lover should have in his collection.
BOOK REVIEW IN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2007:
Learn how Chinese musical instruments came about, and stories of legendary musicians. Another in Asiapac's 'Origins' series, this is an easy read in comic book form. Some stories are fantastical in the extreme, in keeping with myths that go back centuries but because the stories are so brief, the reader is left wanting to know more about certain characters whose lives seem especially tragic or heroic. A good way to kickstart an interest in Chinese literature.
CONTENTS:
Chapter One:
Origins and History
Ancient Ages; Pre-Qin Era; Qin Dynasty (221–207 BCE) and Han Dynasty; (206 BCE–AD 220); Three Kingdoms Period (AD 220–280) to Southern and Northern Dynasties (386–589); Sui Dynasty (581–618) and Tang Dynasty (618–907); Song Dynasty (960–1279) and Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368); Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644–1911); Modern Times
Chapter Two:
Chinese Musical Instruments
1. Wind Instruments: Xiao (vertical bamboo flute); Dizi (transverse bamboo flute); Suona (Han Chinese shawm or oboe); Xun (egg-shaped, one-holed wind instrument); Sheng (Chinese bamboo mouth organ); Yu (ancient mouth organ); Hujia (nomad reed flute), Jiao (horn)
2. Percussion Instruments: Zhong (bells); Luo (gong); Gu (drum); qing (chime stone); Yangqin (dulcimer); Zhu (ancient zither)
3. Plucked String Instruments: Guqin (ancient zither); Gu Se (ancient plucked zither); Guzheng (ancient plucked string zither); Pipa (Chinese lute); Ruan (lute with fretted neck); Liuqin (Chinese lute) and Yueqin (moon-shaped lute); Konghou (ancient Chinese harp); Sanxian (Chinese lute)
4. Bowed String Instruments: Huqin; Xiqin (two-stringed lute)
Chapter Three:
Classical Masterpieces
High Mountain and Flowing Water; Guangling Verse; Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank; Ambush From All Sides; Dialogue Between Fisherman and Woodcutter; Flute and Drum at Sunset; The Autumn Moon over the Han Palace; Three Movements of the Plum Blossom; White Snow in Sunny Spring; Eight Stanzas on a Nomad Flute
Chapter Four:
Musicians of Ancient China
Yu Boya; Shi Kuang, the Master of Music; Li Yannian; Cai Yong; Cai Wenji; Xi Kang; Su Zhipo
ISBN : 978-981-229-475-3
Compiled by : Lim S K
Illustrated by : Fu Chunjiang
Translated by : Wong Huey Khey
Dimension : 150 x 210 mm
Page Number : 160 pages
|
MB15 |
|
|
| Price: |
US$8 |
| Shipping |
America, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand
(US$3) |
|
Asia
(US$2) |
|
Singapore
(self collect) |
|
| |
|
|
