 |
|
| Ancient music hits right note |
| CCTV.COM 2003-08-01 09:08:21 |
|
Historians regard ancient court music, or Nanyin, as a "living fossil." It's old melodies are about to be given a new lease of life thanks to scholars in Southeast China's Fujian province. They have re－published a batch of Nanyin pieces in numbered musical notation, to aid everyday people's understanding of these ancient tunes.
Nanyin music took shape in southern Fujian province about a thousand years ago and has since spread to Southeast Asia. Featuring wind and string instruments such as the lute and the vertical flute, it was the sound of an ancient Chinese Imperial court.
Chen Yukun, Nanyin scholar of Dehua University for Senior Citizens, said, "Nanyin music has a long history. For hundreds of years it has been handed down by oral instruction. Traditionally, it uses the ancient gongchipu notation which most people find difficult to understand. This has greatly impeded the spread of the music."
Scholars at Dehua University for Senior Citizens have chosen over one hundred Nanyin pieces to be republished in both gongchipu and numbered musical notation. Although modern notation can't really convey the charm of the ancient music one hundred percent, it will definitely widen its appeal and help spread the music among everyday people.
|
|
Editor: Xiao Wei CCTV.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
