Guqin Master Classes with Professor Li Xiangting 23-30 July, 2004

Professor Li Xiangting,one of the world's leading authorities and greatest performers of the qin and a distinguished professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, gave a week of master classes on the guqin at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Nine students attended the classes. In addition to learning and correcting basic qin fingerings and techniques, participants also developed their knowledge of the tablature notation, tuning and maintenance, and the aesthetics and philosophy of the instrument. Apart from basic exercises, pieces learnt by the participants include: Yangguan San Die (Moon Over the Yang Pass), Ping Sha Luo Yan (Wild Geese Descending on the Sandy Isle), Tian Lai (Sounds of Nature), and Dongting Qiu Si (Autumn Thoughts at Dongting Lake). An interesting yaji was incorporated during the week by the London Youlan Qin Society. Challenging questions regarding the contemporary state of the qin including the paucity of new developments and compositions were raised and discussed at the meeting. Many qin lovers played music and some played their own dapu (transcription based on ancient notation) and composition. Professor Li was asked to do improvisations on two chosen themes: “Jealousy” and “A Midsummer Night in London”. It was a wonderful experience and everyone enjoyed the week of learning.

Click here for a full report on the Chinese Music Summer School.