Ding Yang Master of the Guqin  

Music is the combined product of man and everything under the sun. China has a long and profound history of national and traditional music. Guqin, is an ancient traditional musical instrument. It has its own culture and art (which is specially termed "Guqin Art").  The music of the Guqin has absorbed the philosophy and aesthetics of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, making Guqin music a harmonious form of shapes, sounds, spirit and feeling. Through the Guqin, man and "qin", man and nature blend in a "perfect union".
 

Since the Spring and Autumn Period, the Guqin has become a symbol of the lofty thoughts of the scholars and literati in various dynasties. For 3000 years, they devoted themselves to the development of Guqin music and made it widely known.
 

Through out the long history of China, practically every major scholar from Confucius has contributed music and stories for special performance on the Guqin. Their contributions have all helped to integrate the Guqin deeply into our culture.
 

In recent years, on the mainland, many outstanding young artists have become attracted to this magical instrument which according to legend was created by Fuxi.  Having studied under Gugin masters in various conservatories young modern artists have injected fresh breath into this ancient oriental art by not only carrying forward ancient China' s musical traditions but also by developing the instrument to modern techniques. Listening to their performances will surely give you a better understanding of Guqin music and the spirit of the performer.
 

My purpose in publishing this CD is to introduce China's Guqin art to more friends and to help a new generation of talented musicians step noto the international music stage.
Dedication: for all my friends.
 

About the Performer-
Ding Yang, a young Guqin artist, is a member of the Beijing Guqin Research Association.
She was born in Beijing in 1972. At the age of 14, she began to study the Guqin under a Guqin master, Mr. Li Xiangting, a vice - professor in the Central Music Academy. In 1988, she entered the middle - school attached to the Chinese Music Conservatory, and later entered the conservatory itself where she graduated in 1995. In the Conservatory, she studied the traditions music pieces of the Wu school under prolessor and Guqin master Wu Wenguang. She also helped develop the "realization" of the Guqin under the guidance of Mr. Xu Jian, a famous theoretician on the Guqin in The Chinese Music Research Academy. Her skillful and outstanding performance shows her profound technique and style, leaving listeners with deep impressions.
 

She has recorded "An Introduction to Famous Guqin Pieces" for CCTV and has given performances at grand theatrical parties. She has also recorded many special anthologist for the Central People's Broadcasting Station and other provincial broadcasters. " Missing an Old Friend", a tune played on the Guqing and Xiao (ancient bamboo flute) recorded by her and Mr Zhang Weiliang, received high praise from oversea specialists after its broadcast on the BBC. In
 

1993, several recordings of solos and duets were selected for a Special Anthology of National Music Masterpieces compiled by Long Yin company of Hong Kong. In addition, she has also recorded some pieces of music for a Hong Kong film "The Incomperal Patriot" and the film "Farewell to My Concubine" which received several international awards.
 

Celestial Beings' (Shen Ren Chang) from "Xilu Hall Guqin Score" ( 1549 AD)

This tune was first mentioned in " On Guqin" by Xie Zhuang of The Southern Dynasty of Emperor Wen. "Celestial Beings" was composed by Emperor Rao. It is said that when Rao was playing the Guqin, celestial beings appeared. Later, it-was also introduced by Chen Shizhi in "A Selection of Music of Ancient and Modern Times" and by Zhu Changwen of The Song Dynasty in "The History of The Guqin". According to "Royal Music of The Zhou Dynasty" compiled in the Tang Dynasty, " Any Guqin piece composed in harmony with the music can be called 'Chang' (a kind of tune). Chang stands for beauty and modesty. " This piece of music depicts the happy and harmonious scene of Gods and Man dancing together. Some tempo and sounds with primitive characteristics are employed to play this masterpiece to its full extent and successfully create the effect of faintly visible gods.
 

 The Flowing Water
 (Liu Shal)
 From "Tian Wen Ge Guqln Score" ( 1876 A. D)
Goan Pingho's tradition

This is a well - known piece of music played on the Guqin. According to 'Tong's Query" in "Prominant scholars", Bo Ya was skilled in Guqin playing while Zhong Ziqi was a connoisseur of Guqin music. Bo Ya played a tune about majestically tall strong mountains and Zhong Ziqi said admirably "The high - flown music attempts to emulate the lofty mountains!" Then Bo Ya played a tune about a stormy sea with terrifying waves and Zhong Ziqi added "The fluent music seems to represent flowing water!" Zhong Ziqi was able to comprehend deeply the connotation of the tunes played by Bo Ya, So they became bosom friends since. This anecdote has remained on everybody's lips throughout the ages and Bo Ya was said to be the Composer of "High Mountains and Flowing Waters". But since Tang Dynasty, this tune his been divided into two separate pieces, i. e. , "High Mountains" and "Flowing Water". Since 1840, "Flowing Water" has gained more attention and development. Making full use of playing techniques, such as rolling and stroking, this tune vivilly describes water' s flowing process, from gentle streams to turbulent waves. This piece of music was included on 'Voices of the earth and human beings on the gold disc which was sent into space by the American spaceship, "Traveller", to the for some universal bosom friends.

$15.00 each