Taoist music of Xuanmiao temple in Suzhou

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Taoist music of Xuanmiao temple in Suzhou

Applicant: Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Item No.: 99

Project No.: Ⅱ - 68

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: Traditional Music

Region: Jiangsu Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Protection unit: Suzhou Taoist Association

Introduction to Taoist music of Xuanmiao temple in Suzhou

Applicant: Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Suzhou Taoist music, represented by Xuanmiaoguan Taoist music, belongs to the Zhengyi School of Taoist music. Its history can be traced back to the Western Jin Dynasty. It inherits the tradition of ancient music, absorbs the elements of temple music, and is also influenced by the music art forms of Wu, such as hall name music, Jiangnan Silk and bamboo, Kunqu Opera, and Wu Song. It has formed a unique style and is popular with the masses. Zhaitian compiled by Shi Liangsheng in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty and Juntian miaoyue re edited by Cao Xisheng in Jiaqing period are still the norms of Taoist music in Xuanmiao temple. Many famous musicians have emerged in Suzhou. They are either proficient in rhythm, good at music arrangement, skillful in musical instrument performance, or have profound attainments in Jingyun singing, which has a great influence in the Taoist music field. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, Taoism in Suzhou tended to decline. Some temples in Xuanmiao Temple began to rent, and some Taoists changed their careers to make a living. However, the influence of Taoist music among the people was still quite extensive and in-depth.

Suzhou Taoist music includes instrumental music and vocal music. Instrumental music mainly includes flute music, drum music and divertimento composed of the two. The playing methods include "sitting music" and "walking music". Vocal music is the classic rhyme of Taoism, and the melody is the "rhyme cavity", including "praise", "ode", "Ji", "Gao", "mantra", "Fu" and other forms.

Suzhou Taoist music has a long history and high historical value. It has complete structure, strong contrast, rich expression, high artistic value, and has a wide impact on social life. In recent years, with the reform and opening up and the increase of cultural exchanges with foreign countries, Suzhou Xuanmiaoguan music has been performed abroad for many times and won high praise.