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The qin,
the Ancient
Chinese seven
stringed zither
is one of the
four refined
arts
traditionally
pursued for
self-cultivation.
(The other three
are painting,
calligraphy, and
chess.)
This lecture
will discuss the
interrelation of
two of these
arts: qin
and calligraphy.
Chinese
aesthetic
theories of the
two arts will be
discussed,
especially the
abstract beauty
of notes and
lines and the
imitation of
animals and
objects in
nature.
Interplay
between the
yin/yang
polarity of
empty and full
will also be
explored.
The presentation
will include
both performance
on the qin with
vocal
accompaniment
and
demonstrations
of calligraphy.
Program
Three
Variations of
the Plum Blossom
The earliest
score of this
piece was
published in
“Wondrous
Esoteric Qin
Handbook”
(1425). In
Chinese culture,
plum blossom,
symbolizing a
gentlemen’s
virtue -- lofty
and righteous,
is beloved by
poets, artists
and qin players.
This piece has
two themes, a
melodious
harmonic section
extolling the
steadfastness
symbolized by
the plum blossom
and a quick and
animated section
expressing its
bravery of
surviving the
harshness of
winter. The
harmonic section
is repeated in
the low, middle,
and high
registers
respectively
accounting for
the name of the
piece. My
version is from
the Spring
Grass Pavilion
Qin Handbook
(1744 ).
Immortal of
the Magpie
Bridge
Lyrics: Qin Guan
(1049-1100)
Music/translation:
Mingmei Yip
This is the Song
dynasty
(960-1279) poet
Qin Guan’s most
famous love
song. It
expresses the
pain and
suffering of two
separated
lovers.
Delicate clouds
scamper above on
the seventh
evening of the
seventh month
Falling stars
carry my
bitterness,
secretly
traversing the
remote Milky
Way.
Meeting but once
amidst the
autumn wind and
the dews drops
surpasses
endless
encounters on
earth.
Love is tender
as water
Our wedding day
is a distant
dream
Dejected, I
watch the
magpies return.
If love between
two people is to
last,
Must they see
each other day
and night?
If love between
two people is to
last
Must they see
each other day
and night?
Joy of Union
Lyrics: Li Yu
(937-978)
Music: Mingmei
Yip
Translation:
Unknown Scholar
The flowered
woods have
dropped their
springtime rose
festoon,
So soon, so
soon.
But night
blowing winds
and the cold
dawn rain were
bound to be.
Your
rouge-stained
tears will keep
me drinking here
beside you
And then—who
knows when
again?
Our lives are
sad like rivers
turning always
toward the sea.
Evening Cry of
the Raven
In ancient
China, the
raven’s cry was
considered an
auspicious sign.
During the
Northern and
Southern
Dynasties
(420-589), the
Duke Liu Yiqin’s
life was under
threat because
the King was
jealous of him.
The evening as
he was about to
flee the
country, he
heard the
raven’s cries.
His concubine
considered this
a good sign and
predicted that
he would go
free. She was
later proved to
be right. This
is a virtuoso
piece which
fully explores
the performer’s
finger
dexterity.
The Dao which
can be Named
Lyrics: Daode
Jing, first
chapter
Music: Mingmei
Yip
Translation:
Richard John
Lynn
The 2.500 year
old Daode Jing,
also
transliterated
at Tao Te Ching,
is the most
famous Chinese
philosophical
text.
The Dao that can
be described in
language is not
the constant
Dao; the name
that can be
given it is not
its constant
name.
Nameless, it is
the origin of
the myriad
things,
Named, it is the
mother of the
myriad things.
Therefore,
always be
without desire
so as to see
their subtlety.
And always have
desire so as to
see their ends.
These two emerge
together but
have two
different names.
Together, we
refer to them as
mystery: the
mystery upon
mystery and
gateway of all
subtleties.
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