The famous Guzheng song "Thirty-three Plates" : the rhythm and emotion behind the melody

548 views · Organized by 象牙山首富 on 2024-07-22

Guzheng, as one of the most representative instruments in Chinese classical music, carries thousands of years of cultural accumulation and artistic charm. In its rich repertoire, Thirty-three Ban, with its unique structure and deep emotional expression, has become a bright pearl in the hearts of guzheng players and lovers. This piece of music not only tests the skill of the performer, but also leads the audience into a musical world full of poetry and philosophy.

The famous Guzheng song

1. Historical origin and creation background

There are different opinions on the origin of the Thirty-third Board, but it is generally believed that it originated from the Qing Dynasty and was co-created and improved by a number of folk artists. The "Thirty-three Plate" in the title of the song does not refer to the specific thirty-three phrases or paragraphs, but symbolizes a kind of cyclic and ever-changing musical form. This structure reflects the artistic technique of "variation" in ancient Chinese music, that is, multiple variations on the basis of the theme melody, each variation brings a new auditory experience, but it can return to the original melody, forming an internal sense of unity.

Second, music structure and playing skills

The musical form structure of "Thirty-three Ban" is exquisite and complex. It adopts the form of "variation cycle" common in traditional Chinese music. Through the constant change and repetition of the melody, it shows the level and depth of the music. The piece begins with a concise theme melody, followed by multiple variations, each of which is innovative in rhythm, timbre and emotion, culminating in a climax and then slowly returning to the theme, like a landscape painting that unfolds slowly and then closes slowly.

The performance of "Thirty-three Plate" not only requires the performer to have superb skills, such as glissando, trill, string, picking, etc., but also needs a deep understanding of the emotion and artistic conception behind the music. The changes of each plate need to be accurately mastered, so that the music has both coherence and a sense of hierarchy, and finally presents a natural smooth, emotional delicate artistic effect.

3. Artistic value and emotional expression

The artistic value of "Thirty-three Ban" lies in its ingenious integration of tradition and innovation, pushing the beauty of the guzheng's timbres and melodies to the extreme. Through the repeated interpretation of the theme, the music expresses various emotions in the journey of life: joy, sadness, expectation, relief... Each variation is an interpretation of the state of life, leading the listener through a spiritual journey.

4. Modern interpretation and cultural dissemination

With the spread of Guzheng art in the world, "Thirty-three Ban" has gradually been recognized and interpreted by musicians around the world. While retaining the traditional charm, many modern performers have added their personal understanding and creativity, which makes this ancient song full of new vitality. Through concerts, online platforms and cultural exchange activities, the Thirty-third Board has not only become a cultural bridge connecting ancient and modern times and communicating with China and abroad, but also shows the charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture to the world.

As a treasure in the repertoire of guzheng, "Thirty-three Ban" is an artistic rebirth and an emotional resonance every time it is played. It is not only a piece of music, but also a work with profound cultural connotation and aesthetic value, which is worth every music lover to savor and feel the wisdom and emotion.

Reference materials and contributors
民族乐器网

Involving musical instruments

Guzheng (pinyin: Gǔ Zhēng), also known as Hanzheng and Qinzheng, is an ancient national musical instrument of the Han nationality and is popular all over China. It is often used for solo, duet, instrumental ensemble and accompaniment of song and dance, opera and folk art. Because of its wide range, beautiful timbre, rich playing skills and strong expressiveness, it is known as the "King of Music", also known as "Oriental Piano", and is one of the unique and important national musical instruments in China.

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