The composition of music, the interpretation of music in science, history, and culture

Author: Luo Qin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The concept of music ethnology advocates the study of the historical development of music culture among every ethnic group and race. There are no absolute standards for judging music culture; every music culture possesses its own value and uniqueness, and deserves its own dignity. Humans have always been products of specific cultures and environments. There is no difference in value between various human musical and cultural expressions, only differences in concepts=behavior and the resulting tangible outcomes. This "Art Classroom" series of books was compiled for the purpose of art education in universities. Education is not merely about the transmission of knowledge and the cultivation of skills, but also about shaping individuals who represent human civilization and social progress. University education, in particular, embodies this principle. Confucius said, "Enter a country, and you can know its education." Confucius meant that through different teaching materials and subjects—such as poetry, books, music, the I Ching, and rites—and different educational models, the moral character of the people could be cultivated in various ways. Since the Industrial Revolution in Europe, the modern education system has gradually taken shape, greatly enriching the meaning of education. National education has long since moved beyond being limited to a single teaching material or educational model. From the perspective of moral character cultivation, an educational model that combines multiple subjects is more suitable for cultivating comprehensive talents needed for social development. However, for China, the introduction of this education system has been too brief, and it is far from being mature. There are inevitably many shortcomings, and the severe lag in art education is one of the most significant manifestations of these shortcomings. Compared to subjects that can more directly cultivate people's practical abilities, especially natural sciences and other practical subjects, the importance of art education, particularly its role in the entire basic education system, has far from been given sufficient attention. Humans are animals with spiritual lives and require spiritual lives. In the process of moral character cultivation, the special significance of art education lies in tempering people's temperament and enriching their souls, thereby enriching their spiritual world. In an era where material desires have surged dramatically, leading to a severe imbalance between material and spiritual pursuits and distorted personalities, art plays a corrective role in promoting healthy personality development. Its special significance for human survival and the future is becoming increasingly clear. Over two thousand years ago, Confucius recognized that "gentleness and kindness, that is the teaching of poetry" and that "gentleness and kindness without folly, that is a deep understanding of poetry." Indeed, the gentleness and kindness in one's temperament cannot be innate; they require cultivation through education. If we endorse the moral character that Confucius admired, it is not difficult to recognize the value of art and the value of art education. It is true that with more and more knowledgeable individuals advocating for quality-oriented education, the significance of art education has increasingly become a social consensus. Since the mid-1990s, art education in China has rapidly gained momentum. In addition to the establishment of new art colleges from existing art professional schools and secondary art schools, ordinary comprehensive universities have also established new art departments and majors based on public art teaching and research offices. However, due to the long-standing focus on technical aspects in art professional education, foundational research in history and theory has lagged significantly. Across the country, there is a widespread feeling of a lack of suitable teaching materials and reference resources. The need for foundational art history and theory textbooks, especially for non-art majors in universities to popularize basic art knowledge, is particularly urgent. Therefore, organizing experts to compile a series of works on art history and theory, forming a relatively complete library of art history and theory with works from different disciplines, is a timely initiative. With this in mind, we invited renowned experts from various art disciplines in China to compile this series, which includes five major categories: music, fine arts, theater, dance, and film and television. Each category is divided into three volumes: history, theory, and reference materials. This design allows readers to gain a basic understanding of the overall state of a particular art discipline or its fundamental principles with just one volume, while also mastering the most important historical documents in that field. The authors of this series are experts who have immersed themselves in their respective fields for many years, possess expertise, and have sharp minds and insightful views. Therefore, they are able to convey the core knowledge and thought-provoking ideas of each art discipline in a concise yet comprehensive manner. This design aims to give the library the practicality and distinctive features lacking in similar books on the market, making it more suitable for art departments in non-art professional colleges, for art students and teachers studying non-major art disciplines, and for cultivating the interest of ordinary university students in art appreciation. Art emerged with the birth of human civilization and has evolved alongside the progress of human civilization. Therefore, every ethnic group has developed various art disciplines, but the art that emerges during the development of each civilization is different. Even within the same art discipline, different ethnic groups may have significant differences in aesthetic orientation and development paths. Art is often national, yet it is also a pursuit of all humanity. How to balance the national and global aspects of art is a great challenge for all the authors of this series. To view art as a common spiritual pursuit of all humanity and to grant it a global perspective is a new artistic view that this series strives to embody, as well as a special response from many experts in contemporary Chinese art research to the era of globalization. Therefore, during the compilation process, this series has always been mindful of discussing the art of each ethnic group as an integral part of the global art landscape. To ultimately achieve this goal, it requires the joint efforts of more experts and scholars. What we have done is only a new attempt; whether it is close to the desired goal and to what extent it has achieved this goal will be judged by readers and peers. We look forward to feedback from readers and peers, hoping that this series can open the door to art for readers and that readers will enjoy it.