© The London Youlan Qin Society 2003-2010



Meeting 11 January 2014



Introduction

This, the 67th meeting of the London Youlan Qin Society, was held in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Many members renewed their annual subscriptions, which became due on 1st January.

We were privileged to have a very special qin for this meeting. For many years it had belonged to the eminent ethnomusicologist Dr Laurence Picken. After he passed away in 2007, it was bequeathed to Dr Stephen Jones, who very generously lent it to the London Youlan Qin Society. It was made during the 1930s, and bears the seal of Robert Hans van Gulik, author of "The Lore of the Chinese Lute", the first book in English on the qin. It was fitted with a set of silk strings which may also date from the early or middle part of the 20th century. A few people played it. It had an exquisite sound, well balanced and clear. We would like to extend our grateful thanks to Dr Stephen Jones for giving us the opportunity to hear and play this important instrument, which has a special place in the history of the qin in Europe.

We were pleased to see several new faces and interest in the qin from people as young as 9 years years old, and to hear new pieces played by the new attendees at the gathering. What a great start to the New Year!

Summary of the AGM

The third AGM of the Sociey was held during this meeting.

2013 was a challenging but fruitful year. Although funding difficulties meant that for the first time we were unable to invite a qin master from China, we successfully organised our Guqin Summer School at the Royal School of Music (RCM) in June, taught mainly by Dr Cheng Yu. This included a double bill concert for the summer school and to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of our LYQS. The concert was performed to a full house in the RCM's elegant Parry Room by members of LYQS, Dr Cheng Yu and the Silk String Quartet. In November we held one more major event than in previous years - a performance to commemorate a different but profoundly important 10th Anniversary: that of of the Guqin as a UNESCO “intangible cultural heritage” coupled with fund-raising for the publication of our 10th anniversary booklet. This well-received performance was given by members of LYQS and the Silk and Bamboo Ensemble, and it raised sufficient funds for the production of our Anniversary booklet. In addition, The Society bought 6 cloth covers for guqin tables, to use for our performances, and several new books for the library. Once again, the Society was generously funded by the Prince's Charities Foundation, for which we are very grateful.

All officers and committee members were re-elected for a further 3-year term.

Music

The following music was played:

  1. Yu Qiao Wen Da 渔樵问答 (Dialogue of the Fisherman and the Woodcutter), played by Charles Tsua
  2. Ping Sha Luo Yan 平沙落雁 (Wild Geese Descending on the Level Sand), played by Zou Yuan
  3. Xiang Yin 祥音 (Auspicious Sounds), played by Eva Zeng
  4. Man Jiang Hong 满江红 (The River All Red), played by Chen Ran
  5. Wu Ye Wu Qiu Feng 梧叶舞秋风 (Parasol Leaves Dancing in the Autumn Wind), played by Ashley Guan
  6. Qiu Feng Ci 秋凤词 (Song of the Autumn Wind), played by Dan Nung Ing
  7. Ping Sha Luo Yan 平沙落雁 (Wild Geese Descending on the Level Sand), played by Julian Joseph
  8. Yi Guren 忆故人 (Thinking of an Old Friend), played by Jenny Zhao
  9. Jiu Kuang 酒狂 (The Drunkard), played by Cheng Yu




The London Youlan Qin Society would like to thank the Department of Music at SOAS for allowing us to hold our meeting there, and Seán Kelly for taking the photographs.