Qupai in Chinese Music

Presenting the latest research in the area, this volume explores the fundamental concept ofqupai ??, melodic models upon which most traditional Chinese instrumental music (and some vocal music) is based. The greater part of the traditional instrumental repertoire has emerged fromqupai models by way of well-established 'variation' techniques. These melodies and techniques are alive today and still performed in 'silk-bamboo' types of ensemble music, zheng ?, pipa ?? and other solo traditions, all opera types, narrative songs, and Buddhist and Daoist ritual music. With a view toward explaining qupai as a musical system, contributors explore the concept from multiple directions, notably its historic development, patterns of structural organization, compositional usage inKunqu classical opera, influence on the growth of traditional ensemble and solo repertoires, and indeed on 19th-century European music as well. Related essays examine the use of shan'ge ?? folksongs asqupai models in one local opera tradition and the controversial relationship betweenqupai forms and the metrically-organized banqiang ?? forms of organization in Beijing opera. The final three essays are focused upon traditional suite forms in whichqupai and non-qupai tunes are mixed, examples drawn from the Minnannanguan ?? repertoire, Jiangnan 'silk-bamboo' tradition and the ritual music of North China.This is the first Western-language study on the nature and background of thequpai tradition, and the methods by which model melodies have been varied in creation of repertoire. The volume is essential reading for East Asian music specialists and contributes to the fields of ethnomusicology, musicology, music theory, music composition, and Chinese music and performing arts.

Alan Thrasher is Professor Emeritus in the School of Music at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.