Yangzhou Qingqu - (Complete Three Volumes)

Author: Wei Ren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Yangzhou Qingqu (also known as Xiaqu, Xiaochang, Xiaodiao) is a treasure of Yangzhou's local culture and a precious legacy in the folk art treasury of the Chinese nation. It originated from ancient Yangzhou folk songs, inherited the popular songs of the Yuan and Ming dynasties, and absorbed the essence of time-honored tunes from all over the country. Through continuous enrichment and refinement by folk artists over generations in oral tradition, it has finally evolved into a classical art form that blends northern and southern styles, appeals to both refined and popular tastes, and embodies profound historical depth and distinctive local color. The editorial purpose of this book is twofold: completeness and authenticity. First, completeness. This book is divided into three volumes: the first volume contains lyrics, the second volume contains melodies, and the third volume contains theoretical discussions. The current volume includes 354 solo songs, 49 short sets, and 12 series of 75 large sets. Under the existing conditions, it remains the most comprehensive and richest collection of Yangzhou Qingqu lyrics in history. The lyrics are sourced from the following five aspects: First, a batch of oral record manuscripts collected in the 1950s, lost in the 1960s, and later recollected and supplemented in the 1980s. Second, the lyrics of small songs in rural. Third, some lost lyrics found in novels, notes, and articles since the Qing Dynasty. Fourth, some lyrics confirmed to be part of Yangzhou Qingqu, recovered from folk song and time-honored tune collections since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Fifth, folk prints circulating domestically and overseas.