"Improvisational" Guqin and Xiao
medievalcrusadesbabe | Ohio USA | 06/02/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A guqin is a seven stringed zither like Chinese instrument. It is the oldest stringed instrument, going back more than 3,000 years. Historically, it is considered an instrument of high culture in China, and is also considered the essence of Chinese music. Xiao is a single piped Chinese bamboo flute with a soft and gentle sound. Traditionally this flue has six holes, and plays a major scale. This flute appears as pottery subjects and wall paintings dating back to the 200CE era.
This CD focuses on music that blends the best of both instruments. The music is intended for meditation purposes, or relaxing, and is self described as "improvisational" rather than traditional.
Professor Li Xiangting is an acknowledged expert guqin player and he showcases his skills on this CD. His studies and credits with this instrument reads like a "who's who" of Qin masters. He is a teacher as well as an accomplished master of the instrument and he has revived the tradition of "improvisational" guqin which has not been part of Chinese music for over 3,000 years.
The style of playing is very artistic, allowing both the musician and the instrument to show off their various abilities. Not just plucked, the instrument in a master's hands can sing, sway, slide and provide some haunting melodies that will hang in the recesses of your mind long after the music is done.
Professor Xiangting also plays the xiao, or vertical bamboo flute. This instrument is the perfect accompaniment to the guqin, filling the spaces between with soft, hushed tones and emphasizing the voice of the guqin. However, Professor Xiangting's skills with the xiao are not second to his skills with the guqin. There are a few tracks on this CD which showcase the xiao and this master's ability to play the instrument with skill and ease.
The CD contains eleven tracks for a total playing time of 59:38. There is a small fold out included with the CD giving a brief history of the instruments and a short bio for Professor Xiangting.
The titles are suggestive of the mood of the piece, such as "Lilac Dreams" and "Phoenix Spreads Wings". The titles reflect Chinese topics and are just as lovely as the music itself. Give some thought to the title "A Spiral of Smoke at Twilight" or "Clouds Reflected on a Winding River" as you listen to the associated tracks. These are all original compositions of Professor Xiangting and are just as beautiful as their titles to listen to. Each piece is soothing, calming and conducive to meditation or relaxation and makes an excellent background for pensive and reflective activities.
If you are looking to create a contemplative atmosphere in your home or office, if you are looking for some meditative background music, or if you are interested in the history and fine art of Chinese music and musical instruments, this CD is an excellent choice for your library. maf"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1