Danxian Paizi Melody
01 · Historical Records
It originated in Beijing, growing out of the single-movement-form chaqu that was popular during the Qianlong reign of the Qing dynasty and, through nearly a century of singing practice, developing gradually by the late Qing dynasty; it takes three forms of tune-body structure: zaoher, yaojie and paiziqu.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Danxian paiziqu is a form of narrative singing that combines speaking and singing. Tianjin danxian paiziqu uses the octagonal drum and the sanxian as its principal accompaniment instruments; as it developed, the yangqin was added to the ensemble, making the accompaniment fuller and richer in colour. Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde. In its development Tianjin danxian paiziqu formed three great singing schools represented by Rong Jianchen, Chang Shutian and Xie Ruizhi, which enjoyed great vogue for a time. Later the male-centred performing schools of Rong, Chang, Xie and the like gradually faded from the stage; today only the Shi school of danxian, centred on women performers, is still active on stage, and it is constantly being handed on and growing. The Shi school of danxian was founded by the famous master of the performing art of danxian, Shi Huiru, and it forms a system of its own through its rich store of qupai, its varied melodies, its abundant repertoire, its performance content marked by a strong character of the times and its distinctive singing style. The founding of the Shi school greatly enriched the schools and the qupai of the art of danxian and pushed the art forward. When the male danxian of Rong, Chang and Xie held the stage, the Shi school of danxian stood apart on its own and opened the precedent of women as the main performers; it is a “living fossil” for studying the development of danxian and of the art of folk qupai.
Du Shiniang
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
Jinshan Temple
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
Jia Yu Tours in Spring
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
Qiu Shaoyun
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
Xiaoxiang Studio
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
In Praise of Leifeng
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
Visiting Jingde
Its repertoire draws on a wide range of subjects and keeps pace with the times: folk tales, historical anecdotes, myths and legends and stories of the present are all material for its singing. Representative works include Du Shiniang, Jinshan Temple, Jia Yu Tours in Spring, Qiu Shaoyun, The Ancient Pine Beneath the Earth, and chaqu such as Homeward by Boat in Wind and Rain, Xiaoxiang Studio, In Praise of Leifeng and Visiting Jingde.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
It is now current north and south of the Yangtze, and especially flourishing in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and other regions, while also being found in the northeast, the northwest, central south and the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area. Danxian paiziqu has a strong local character; everything it touches is closely bound up with the folk ways and customs of the time, so it is a typical representative of the development of Tianjin's folk culture and holds important artistic value.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Danxian Paizi Melody · Danxian Paizi Melody.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
Master-to-disciple transmission is the main mode of transmission of danxian paiziqu, and the lineage with clearly identified generations has now reached the fifth generation. The Tianjin Quyi Troupe is its main centre of transmission. Its transmission and development play a positive part in enriching the traditional folk culture of the nation and in enriching the cultural life of the people.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Zhang Yunhua 04-1718
- Ma Zenghui 05-2506
- Liu Xiumei
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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