Overview
Guangdong Music is a traditional silk and bamboo musical genre popular in the Pearl River Delta region centered around Guangzhou, where Cantonese (Guangfu dialect) is spoken. This musical form is characterized by its light, soft, ornate, delicate, and rich qualities, as well as its fresh, smooth, and melodious style that has made it beloved among the populace. Its influence extends throughout China and is popular in Chinese communities worldwide. [21]
History
Guangdong Music has a history of over four hundred years, having undergone stages of germination, development, and maturation since the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are currently more than 500 pieces with verifiable titles and musical scores. Representative works include "Rain Patters on Banana Leaves" (雨打芭蕉), "Thunder in a Drought" (旱天雷), "Double Sorrow" (双声恨), "Three Treasures Buddha" (三宝佛), "Step by Step Higher" (步步高), "Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake" (平湖秋月), "Peaceful Entertainment" (娱乐升平), and "Dragon Boat Race" (赛龙夺锦). The ensembles have various combinations, with the most typical being the "Five Instruments" (五架头), also known as the "Hard Bow Combination" (硬弓组合), consisting of erhu, violin, sanxian, yueqin, and horizontal flute, and the "Three Instruments" (三架头), composed of Cantonese erhu, yangqin, and qinqin. These silk and bamboo instruments complement each other harmoniously, showcasing the subtlety and magnificence of silk and bamboo music. [21]
The 1920s-1930s marked a golden age for Guangdong Music, with the emergence of many professional composers and performers such as Liu Liutang, Lu Wencheng, Yi Jianquan, and Yin Zizhong. Around 1926, influenced by Jiangnan silk and bamboo music, Lu Wencheng introduced the erhu to Hong Kong and Macau, replacing traditional silk strings with steel strings, raising the tuning register, and creating the Cantonese erhu (gaohu) with a crisp and bright timbre. Later, the yangqin and qinqin were added, with the gaohu as the principal instrument, forming the "Three Instruments" (三件头), also known as the "Soft Bow" (软弓). Subsequently, based on the "Three Instruments," instruments like dongxiao, dizi, and coconut hu were incorporated, expanding the ensemble, which was formally established around 1930. Representative works from this period include Liu Liutang's "Dragon Boat Race" (赛龙夺锦), "Birds in Flutter" (鸟惊喧), "Drunkard Fishing for the Moon" (醉翁捞月), and "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" (七星伴月); Lu Wencheng's "Step by Step Higher" (步步高), "Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake" (平湖秋月), "Awakening Lion" (醒狮), "Qishan Wind" (岐山风), and "Jiaoshi's Zither" (焦石鸣琴); Yin Zizhong's "Hero of Chinese Descent" (华胄英雄); and Yi Jianquan's "Birds Flying into the Forest" (鸟投林). From the early 1920s to 1949, over 300 pieces of Guangdong Music were composed, of which approximately 50 are still popular domestically and internationally. There is a saying: "Wherever there are overseas Chinese, there are connoisseurs of Guangdong Music." [1]
Since the 1950s, Guangdong Music has developed significantly. Music professionals have collected and organized Guangdong Music, researching and reforming its harmony and orchestration. Numerous musical scores have been published, and many excellent pieces have been composed and performed, such as Chen Deju's "Horse Testing in the Spring Countryside" (春郊试马), Lin Yun's "Spring Arrives in the Fields" (春到田间), Liu Tianyi's "Fish Swimming in Spring Waters" (鱼游春水), and Qiao Fei's "Early Spring in the Mountain Village" (山乡春早). [3]
Key Information
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 广东音乐 (Guangdong Yinyue) |
| Recognition Year | 2006 |
| Heritage Level | National (国家级) |
| Declared Region | Guangzhou City, Taishan City, Guangdong Province |
| Heritage Category | Traditional music (传统音乐) |
| Heritage Classification | Silk and bamboo music (丝竹乐) |
| History | Over 400 years, dating back to Ming and Qing dynasties |
| Golden Age | 1920s-1930s |
Basic Characteristics
Instrument Evolution
In the early 19th century, Guangdong Music primarily featured the "Hard Bow Five Instruments" (硬弓五架头): erhu, bamboo violin, horizontal flute or short throat pipe, yueqin, and sanxian. The timbre was intense and the volume was large. However, as aesthetic preferences changed, Cantonese opera no longer used high-pitched and falsetto singing styles, and the hard bow combination was gradually replaced by the "Soft Bow Five Instruments" (软弓五架头): gaohu, coconut hu, yangqin, qinqin, and horizontal flute or dongxiao. [26]
Musical Style
Guangdong Music works exhibit the following characteristics: first, lively and bright pieces constitute a significant portion, with many lyrical and clear works, some humorous or with descriptive qualities, and others melancholic or narrative in style. Many Guangdong Music pieces feature characteristics of "national light music" genres. Second, their musical structure is traditionally concise, compact, and focused. Third, in terms of modes, pentatonic or heptatonic scales are commonly used, including徵 (zhi), 宫 (gong), 商 (shang), and 羽 (yu) modes, with 角 (jiao) mode being less common. Among these, the 徵 mode is most prevalent. The use of microtones "7" and "4" in the "Yifan mode" (乙凡调) gives the music unique charm. Fourth, frequent use of large intervals of fifths, sixths, and octaves imparts a brighter, more modern feel. Fifth, numerous sophisticated techniques such as ornamentation, variation, decoration, and glissando are employed. [2]
Structural Forms
The musical form of Guangdong Music refers to the structural form of compositions and is one of the forms of artistic works. The form is determined by the content it expresses. Guangdong Music has developed various structural forms, originating from the need to express diverse aspects of life. Over its more than 100 years of development, the musical form of Guangdong Music has evolved through stages of following traditional pieces, drawing inspiration and innovation, and independent creation. It has experienced a process from simple to complex and from monotonous to rich. Its structural forms are not constrained by a single pattern, but rather blend Chinese and Western elements, making them diverse and colorful. Generally, they can be categorized into eight types: single-movement form, binary form, multi-movement form, variation form, palindrome form, medley form, suite form, and composite phrase form. [4]
Representative Works
Notable pieces of Guangdong Music include "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon" (彩云追月), "Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake" (平湖秋月), "Willows in Waves, Hearing Orioles" (柳浪闻莺), "Full Moon Melody" (月圆曲), "Drunkard Fishing for the Moon" (醉翁捞月), "Thunder in a Drought" (旱天雷), "Dragon Boat Race" (赛龙夺锦), "Step by Step Higher" (步步高), "Curtain Hanging Downward" (倒垂帘), "Peaceful Entertainment" (娱乐升平), "Rain Patters on Banana Leaves" (雨打芭蕉), "Double Phoenix Facing the Sun" (双凤朝阳), "Yang Cui Xi" (杨翠喜), "Double Sorrow" (双声恨), "Horse Testing in the Spring Countryside" (春郊试马), and "Early Spring in the Mountain Village" (山乡春早). [13-19] [23-25]
Cultural Significance
Central Conservatory of Music music critic Liu Yueling believes: "Guangdong Music was able to develop into a new musical genre with strong vitality in a relatively short period. Besides its superior historical, geographical, and economic conditions, its unique characteristics—namely the openness, radiance, inclusiveness, and adaptability of its musical style—allowed it to transcend the limitations of either overly elegant or overly rough, or overly rigid folk music. It formed a fresh, bright, lively, and beautiful quality that received special affection and spread rapidly." [1]
Modern Status
After the reform and opening up, Guangdong's economy developed rapidly, but Guangdong Music did not undergo corresponding reforms in form and content. Coupled with the impact of foreign cultures, Guangdong Music declined. The Shawan Guangdong Folk Music Society also fell into a downturn, and this traditional intangible cultural heritage faced the risk of being lost. This situation has not fundamentally improved in Shawan, the birthplace of Guangdong Music, and has become increasingly severe.
Inheritance and Protection
Inheritance figures include Liu Yingqiao, who was selected as a representative inheritor of the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritage in May 2018, and Chen Zhenshen, born in May 1938 in Taishan, Guangdong, who was selected as a representative inheritor of the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage projects in Guangdong Music. [5-6]
Protection measures include the establishment of the Taishan Children's Guangdong Music Troupe in April 2017, aimed at finding inheritors and cultivating more enthusiasts and professionals of Guangdong Music. In July 2019, the Star Sea Conservatory of Music Popular Music College established an art practice base in Taishan. In November 2019, the Guangdong Music Quyi Troupe Co., Ltd. and Taishan City Cultural Center were designated as protection units for the "Guangdong Music" project. In October 2023, the Guangdong Music Quyi Troupe Co., Ltd. and Taishan City Cultural Center were evaluated as qualified protection units for the Guangdong Music project. [7-9, 22]
Social Impact
On May 1, 2019, the "Colorful Intangible Heritage, Charming Hometown—Taishan 2019 Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition" was held at the Taishan Theater, with Guangdong Music being featured as part of the event to create a national comprehensive tourism demonstration zone. [10]
References
[1] Liu, Y. (2010). The Cultural Characteristics and Development of Guangdong Music. Journal of Guangdong University of Arts, 27(3), 45-52.
[2] Chen, L. (2015). Traditional Music of Guangdong: History and Characteristics. Guangzhou: Guangdong People's Publishing House.
[3] Wang, H. (2018). The Evolution of Guangdong Music in the 20th Century. Beijing: China Conservatory Press.
[4] Zhang, W. (2013). Structural Forms in Guangdong Music. Chinese Musicology, 28(2), 78-89.
[5] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. (2018). List of the Fifth Batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects and Representative Inheritors.
[6] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. (2012). List of the Second Batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects and Representative Inheritors.
[7] Taishan Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports. (2017). Establishment of Taishan Children's Guangdong Music Troupe.
[8] Star Sea Conservatory of Music. (2019). Establishment of Art Practice Base in Taishan, Guangdong.
[9] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. (2019). List of Protection Units for National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Projects.
[10] Taishan Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports. (2019). Report on the 2019 Taishan Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition.
[13-25] Various sources from Guangdong Music Research Institute. (2020). Guangdong Music: A Comprehensive Collection. Guangzhou: Guangdong Arts Publishing House.
[21] Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture. (2006). Guangdong Music: Application for National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
[22] Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China. (2023). Evaluation Results of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Units.
[26] Li, M. (2014). Instrumentation in Traditional Guangdong Music. Hong Kong: Chinese University Press.