Guqin art (mei'an school)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Guqin art

Applicant: Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

Project No.: 65

Project No.: Ⅱ - 34

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Music

Region: Jiangsu Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

Protection unit: Nantong Intangible Cultural Heritage Research Association

Introduction to Guqin art (MeiAn School of Guqin)

Applicant: Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

Guqin, also known as "Qin", "Qixian Qin", also known as "Lvqi", "Sitong", is a kind of flat stringed musical instrument. Guqin art is the oldest, the highest level of art in Chinese history, and the most national spirit, aesthetic taste and traditional artistic characteristics of instrumental music performance form, in addition to solo, also includes singing and playing both Qin song and Qin Xiao ensemble. According to the archaeological data, the shape of Guqin was complete in Han Dynasty. Through the creative development of daiqin people and literati, Guqin art has become more and more mature and perfect. It is closely related to social life, history, philosophy and literature. It has made great achievements in the accumulation of repertoire, playing skills, temperament, inheritance methods and Guqin technology, showing rich humanistic connotation.

Meianqin school is one of the representative schools of Guqin art in China. It is now popular in Nanjing, Nantong, Zhenjiang, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Beijing, Jiangxi, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other places in Jiangsu Province. Nantong meianqin society, Zhenjiang Mengxi Qin society, Hefei meianqin society and other groups belong to this school.

The Guqin art of mei'an school originated in Shandong Province. During the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, Mao Boyu from Jinan summed up his experience in Guqin art and compiled the music score of Longyin hall. This artistic achievement was inherited by the "two kings of Zhucheng" in the late Qing Dynasty and passed on to Wang Yanqing. Later, recommended by Kang Youwei, Wang Yanqing went to Nanjing National Normal University (now the predecessor of Southeast University) to teach guqin, cultivated Xu lisun, Shao Dasu and other descendants, and left the "Meian Qinpu". In 1929, mei'an Qin society was founded, which had a wide influence on the Qin world. At present, Mengxi music club in Zhenjiang and Meian music club in Hefei were founded by Xu lisun's students Liu jingshao and Liu Chicheng respectively.

Mei'an School of Qin changed the aesthetic concept of traditional Qin music, emphasized the artistry of Guqin music, attached importance to playing skills, and highlighted the beauty of melody, reflecting the positive spirit of innovation. The music of mei'an school is characterized by rhythm, which is the first of its kind. Its music absorbs the style of folk music and has a strong appeal. Many of its music has never been seen in the music scores of past dynasties. The representative repertoire includes changmen grudge, Pingsha Luoyan, Maoyi, scratching the head to ask the sky, Dongting Qiusi, etc.

Mei'an Qin school has a great influence in the field of Qin. Mei'an Qin Pu, published in 1931, is the most widely spread, reprinted and influential Qin Pu in the past ten years. It is also the only Qin Pu translated into foreign language and enjoys international reputation. After 1949, the mei'an Qin school continued to develop, and its activities were suspended for lack of funds and venues. At present, some artists of mei'an school with profound attainments are old and gradually withdraw from the piano world. There are not many inheritors who can better inherit their Qin skills. There are also few Qin players who master the techniques of Guqin restoration and production. The performance skills, performance style and related art materials of mei'an school are in danger of being lost, and it is urgent to take effective measures to protect them.