Song Xian Guan Qin Pu - One Box, Two Volumes

Author: Yan Cheng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The preface "Preface to the Qinchuan Collection" compiled in the Songxian Hall Guqin Spectrum can be considered as the guqin theory of the Yushan School, reflecting the self-contained musical philosophy of the Yushan School. It advocates that the guqin should showcase the inherent expressive power of music, without resorting to elaborate literary embellishments. The depth and intensity of emotions conveyed by music cannot always be fully captured by words. It states: "If one recites poetry, the bold may not show it in their gestures, nor the solemn in their demeanor. But when playing the guqin, the pentatonic notes and tones are distinct, clarity and muddiness are differentiated, and suppressed emotions are released while moral sentiments are communicated. Thus, what is to be calmed is calmed, and what is restless is soothed. The art of sound is subtle and profound, rooted in literature yet not limited to it—sound is indeed more refined than literature." Therefore, the Songxian Hall Guqin Spectrum initially included twenty-two pieces, all played by Yan Cheng, including famous compositions such as Spring Dawn in the Ponderosa Grotto and Autumn Moon in the Mountain Valley by Shen Yin. After multiple reprints, the number of pieces increased to twenty-nine. During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, when the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) was compiled, this spectrum was the only Ming Dynasty guqin spectrum included, though it was no longer the original Ming Wanli edition, containing a total of twenty-eight pieces. The preface "Preface to the Qinchuan Collection" compiled in the Songxian Hall Guqin Spectrum can be considered as the guqin theory of the Yushan School, reflecting the self-contained musical philosophy of the Yushan School. It advocates that the guqin should showcase the inherent expressive power of music, without resorting to elaborate literary embellishments. The depth and intensity of emotions conveyed by music cannot always be fully captured by words. It states: "If one recites poetry, the bold may not show it in their gestures, nor the solemn in their demeanor. But when playing the guqin, the pentatonic notes and tones are distinct, clarity and muddiness are differentiated, and suppressed emotions are released while moral sentiments are communicated. Thus, what is to be calmed is calmed, and what is restless is soothed. The art of sound is subtle and profound, rooted in literature yet not limited to it—sound is indeed more refined than literature." Therefore, the Songxian Hall Guqin Spectrum initially included twenty-two pieces, all played by Yan Cheng, including famous compositions such as Spring Dawn in the Ponderosa Grotto and Autumn Moon in the Mountain Valley by Shen Yin. After multiple reprints, the number of pieces increased to twenty-nine. During the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, when the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) was compiled, this spectrum was the only Ming Dynasty guqin spectrum included, though it was no longer the original Ming Wanli edition, containing a total of twenty-eight pieces.