26th November, 2008

This, the 36th meeting of the London Youlan Qin Society, was held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Introduction

We were delighted to welcome qin master Gong Yi and xiao master Dai Shuhong from Shanghai. They were in London at the invitation of the Prince's Charities Foundation (China), primarily to perform at Clarence House. Between 60 and 70 people attended this yaji.

Rachel Harris of SOAS briefly introduced the event, and our guests. Cheng Yu then introduced the London Youlan Qin Society for the benefit of the many people who were new to it. The Society was formed just over five years ago, and Master Gong Yi was present at its inaugural meeting. We were therefore particularly happy that he was able to come back and visit us. During that time, awareness of the qin had increased substantially.

Dai Shuhong then spoke. He said it was a great pleasure to be at this special yaji, organised by the Prince's Charities Foundation, the London Youlan Qin Society and SOAS. Traditionally, every region and every city in China has a qin society. Master Dai is the current president of the Jinyu Qin Society in Shanghai; Master Gong is a past president. The Jinyu Qin Society, the oldest extant qin society in China, was founded in 1936, and Master Dai has been a member for over 50 years. Yajis, literally 'elegant gatherings', are very special activities for qin players, and serve to link aficianados of qin music. Master Dai is also a professor of the xiao (vertical end-blown bamboo flute) and dizi (transverse bamboo flute) at the Shanghai Conservatory, where he teaches these instruments. The xiao is one of the most ancient Chinese instruments. Unfortunately, very few scores have been passed down from ancient times (unlike the qin). The tradition of qin and xiao duets is an ancient one. The qin normally leads, and the xiao provides accompaniment.

Music

To begin, Gong Yi and Dai Shuhong played Yu Qiao Wen Da 渔樵问答 (Dialogue of the Fisherman and the Woodcutter) as a qin and xiao duet. This was followed by a xiao solo Lang Tao Sha 浪淘沙 (Waves Washing the Sand), played by Dai Shuhong. This is actually a qin piece from the 18th century Donggao Qinpu 东皋琴谱. Gong Yi then played a very moving solo qin rendition of Yangguan San Die 阳关三叠 (Three Variations on the Yang Pass Theme). After that it was the turn of players from the London Youlan Qin Society to play, followed by a final qin solo and qin and xiao duet from Gong Yi and Dai Shuhong.

The following is a complete list of the music played:
  1. Yu Qiao Wen Da 渔樵问答 (Dialogue of the Fisherman and the Woodcutter), qin/xiao duet played by Gong Yi and Dai Shuhong
  2. Lang Tao Sha 浪淘沙 (Waves Washing the Sand), xiao solo played by Dai Shuhong
  3. Yangguan San Die 阳关三叠 (Three Variations on the Yang Pass Theme), played by Gong Yi
  4. Long Xiang Cao 龙翔操 (Soaring Dragon), played by Charlie Huang
  5. Sakura Sakura 樱樱 (The Cherry Blossom), played by Joshua Petkovic. This is a Japanese folk song.
  6. Tian Lai 天籁 (Sounds of Nature), played by Julian Joseph
  7. Changmen Yuan 长门怨 (Lament at Changmen Palace), played by Zhu Wencheng
  8. Kai Gu Yin 慨古吟 (Reflecting on the Past), played by May Wong
  9. Liu Shui 流水 (Flowing Water), played by Cheng Yu
  10. Jiu Kuang 酒狂 (Drunken Ecstasy), played by Brian Cox
  11. Sakura Sakura 樱樱 (The Cherry Blossom), played by Gong Yi 
  12. Ping Sha Luo Yan 平沙落雁 (Wild Geese Descending on the Level Sand), qin/xiao duet played by Gong Yi and Dai Shuhong
The London Youlan Qin Society would like to express its grateful thanks to Hu Feifei of the Prince's Charities Foundation and Rachel Harris of SOAS for making this event possible.

Our thanks to Wang Lei for taking photographs for the London Youlan Qin Society.

An article about the masters' visit to London and this yaji was published in the EU Chinese Journal. The article and a English translation is available here.




    Gong Yi and Dai Shuhong playing Yu Qiao Wen Da

         		Gong Yi playing Yangguan San Die
    		 Dai Shuhong playing Lang Tao Sha




    Copyright the London Youlan Qin Society, 2008. All rights reserved.