Everyone's Little Book -- Introduction to Lyrics and Music

Author: Long Yusheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: "The Great and the Small," a playful name. This term "The Great" encompasses two meanings: First, the author of the book is a distinguished figure; second, the book is written for everyone, serving as a read for all. The term "The Small" refers solely to its length, as it is relatively concise. However, in terms of academic rigor, it is not light but rather quite substantial. The book is divided into two parts. The first part discusses origins, primarily exploring the characteristics, origins, development, and evolution of ci and qu poetry. It also evaluates important writers and works of Tang-Song ci poetry, Yuan qu, and Ming-Qing legends. The second part focuses on the rules and forms, emphasizing the crucial role of phonology in ci and qu poetry. It elucidates the arrangement of tones (pingze siyin) in dictionaries, the density of rhyme positions, and the conversion between tones, and how these elements relate to the expression of thoughts and emotions. The book offers detailed and insightful explanations on many issues, making it a valuable reference and guide for studying the history of ci and qu poetry, phonology, and the writing of ci and qu. The examples cited in the book are mostly well-known masterpieces, and through their introduction and analysis, they help enhance the reader's appreciation.