Transcript Slide 1

Music of East Asia
China: Music Theater
July 18, 2015
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Music of East Asia
History and Development
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Music of East Asia
• As early as Zhou Dynasty , Chinese
drama can be found in primitive religious
ceremonies
• During the Warring State period (403 BC),
most plays were impromptu basis
• Shadow Play was originate during the time
of Han Wu DI, Han Dynasty
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Music of East Asia
• Also in Han Dynasty, palace singers also
performs “military plays” accompanied by
song
• Puppet Shows were small clay images
which were moved by hand to represents
actors in the play.
• Tang Dynasty is the most flourished period
of poetry and music.
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Music of East Asia
• There were numerous of “Grand Pieces”
of music which were complicated not only
in rhythm but also in form. After many
changes had taken place in the Grand
Pieces, the opera – which had begun
merely as the combination of dance,
music, and singing – started to become a
separate art.
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Music of East Asia
• During the Song dynasty, story telling or
narrative and poetry.
• During the Yuan Dynasty, Mongols love the
drama and music influenced China deeply.
– Two distinctive styles:
• Northern – Pei Chu
– Warlike strength (energy)
– Wild shrill quality on Stringed instruments as Vigorous pattern
• Southern - Nan Chu
– Quieter’
– More Sophisticated performance.
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Music of East Asia
• Plays in Yuan, plays were in 4 acts, each
act in one, and they are not necessary in
arias (song) but in recitatives style (speech
like)
• Men took the female role
• This highly cultured operas were famous
in Soochow was known as Kun Chu
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Music of East Asia
• During the Ming Dynasty, the southern
styles superseded the Northern. Many of
the imperial families begun to take interest
in singing themselves.
• Although Kun Chu opera developed and
reached its peak during the Qing or
Manchu Dynasty, other forms of local
drama were not completely eclipsed by
Kun Chu’s spell of popularity.
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Music of East Asia
• In Anhwei province a style of local opera had
extended its influence considerably, so much so
that the emperor then reigning - Chien Lung –
was attracted to it and was responsible for
eventually moving it to Peking. Characters of
other forms of opera from Hopeh, Wuhan, and
Shansi were incorporated into this Anhwei opera
during this period, but the latter remained the
predominant influence. After a while this form of
opera became as Ching Hsi: Ching meaning
capital of Hsi meaning play. Ching His then is
the Peking Opera today.
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Music of East Asia
• The true character is fast moving scenes
with gongs and the sharp click of bamboo
drumsticks accompanying of drama.
• Tea House Atmosphere p.51 text
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Music of East Asia
• The Roles
• Sheng – Male Roles are either civil or
Military and the actor themselves are
trained for three main parts: Lao Sheng,
Hsiao Sheng, and Wu Sheng
• Lao Sheng, a middle age or old man who
wears a beard
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Music of East Asia
• Hsiao Sheng, a young man
• Wu Sheng, a Military man, expert is
acrobats
• Tan – female, divided into 6 categories:
Ching I, Hua, Kuie Men, Tao Ma, Wu, &
Lao
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Music of East Asia
•
•
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Ching I – Modest and Virtuous
Hua Tan – Flirtatious
Kuei Men Tan – a young, unmarried girl
Tao Ma Tan – a stronger, more forceful
character, usually a women general
• Wu Tan – a female acrobat
• Loa Tan – an Old Women
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Music of East Asia
• Jing – All Jing are in painted faces
– Red for good, loyal, courage
– White for Tricky, treacherous,
– Black for brusque, stubborn, rough
– Blue for Cruelty, wild – bandits
– Yellow for fierce
– Golden – divine beings – Royalties (emperor)
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Music of East Asia
• Chou – comedian, who generally plays the role
of the dim but likeable and amusing character
with blinking eyes and all the appropriate
gestures. Sometimes Chou can be rascal, with
a slightly wicked nature.
• Two types of Chou
– Wen Chou – civilian – jailers, servants, merchant or
scholar
– Wu Chou – minor military roles and skilled in
acrobatics
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Music of East Asia
• The monkey king is a special character
that are usually played by a Wu Chou who
typically catches audience’s attention from
beginning to the end.
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