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Still tuning in to ancient music
By UNESCO website |
April 7, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
NANYIN - also called nanguan, nanyue or nanqu - is a style of Chinese classical music originating in southern Fujian Province, and also now highly popular in Taiwan.
Nanyin is a musical performing art central to the culture of the people of Minnan in southern Fujian Province along China's southeastern coast, and to Minnan populations overseas.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), nanyin - also known as "string and pipe music" - is the most ancient type of Chinese traditional music still performed.
The slow, simple and elegant melodies are performed on distinctive instruments such as a bamboo flute called the dongxiao and a crooked-neck lute played horizontally called the pipa, as well as more common wind, string and percussion instruments.
The three nanyin components are: firstly, purely instrumental; second, with vocals; and third, ballads accompanied by the ensemble and sung in Quanzhou dialect, either by a solo singer, who also plays clappers, or by a quartet who perform in turn.
The rich repertoire of songs and scores preserves ancient folk music and poems and has influenced opera, puppet theater and other traditions.
Nanyin music was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009.
Nanyin is a musical performing art central to the culture of the people of Minnan in southern Fujian Province along China's southeastern coast, and to Minnan populations overseas.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), nanyin - also known as "string and pipe music" - is the most ancient type of Chinese traditional music still performed.
The slow, simple and elegant melodies are performed on distinctive instruments such as a bamboo flute called the dongxiao and a crooked-neck lute played horizontally called the pipa, as well as more common wind, string and percussion instruments.
The three nanyin components are: firstly, purely instrumental; second, with vocals; and third, ballads accompanied by the ensemble and sung in Quanzhou dialect, either by a solo singer, who also plays clappers, or by a quartet who perform in turn.
The rich repertoire of songs and scores preserves ancient folk music and poems and has influenced opera, puppet theater and other traditions.
Nanyin music was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009.
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