"Song ci" Chinese Art Song in Jiangsu Province, China

Abstract

This research adopts a qualitative method and presents the findings through descriptive analysis. The study, titled “Song ci” Chinese Art Song in Jiangsu Province, China, focuses on three key questions: (1) What are the development and contemporary status of the “Song ci” Chinese art songs? (2) What are the singing techniques of the “Song ci” Chinese art songs? (3) How can we guide the transmission of “Song ci” Chinese art songs?

The research findings are based on analysis and interpretation of fieldwork, including fieldnotes, interviews, videotaped observations, documents, sound recordings, and an open-ended questionnaire. The results found that (1) The development history of “Song ci” Chinese art songs can be divided into five periods: the Song Dynasty, 1900-1949, 1950 -1979, 1980-1999, 2000-2024. On the vocal stage in Jiangsu Province, China, the more widely spread are the art songs composed with “Song ci” as lyrics. Since the early 20th century, Chinese composers have tried to compose melodies for song ci. From the initial creation method that solely adopted Western composition techniques to the contemporary creation method that combines Chinese opera and folk songs. This modern way of using “Song ci” as lyrics to create art songs has a history of more than 100 years in China. (2) The singing of “Song ci” Chinese art songs must rely on scientific vocal singing skills, and at the same time, the language characteristics and connotation characteristics of “Song ci” cannot be abandoned, reflecting its unique style characteristics. The singing of “Song ci” Chinese art songs need to organically combine the scientific nature of singing and the nationality of style. This does not mean that the singing of “Song ci” Chinese art songs is separated from scientific vocalization, but requires that on the basis of scientific vocalization, the characteristics of “Song ci” Chinese art songs are expressed to reflect different artistic styles. (3) After the efforts of several generations of Chinese composers, “Song ci” Chinese art songs have basically formed their own creative concepts and style characteristics. While fully affirming its artistic value and historical significance, we should also see that in the development of “Song ci” Chinese art songs, there are still problems such as insufficient recognition of poetry culture, different appreciation levels of the audience groups, different singing and performance levels of singers, and insufficient circulation of works. Judging from the current problems, we need to start from strengthening publicity, diversified development, in-depth learning, and extensive dissemination to help the better development and transmission of “Song ci” Chinese art songs.

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