Fujian Nanyin
Nanyin, the old ensemble of Quanzhou, is grouped into zhi, pu and qu, led by a vertical flute and a lute.
Related
Time and place
Nanyin is kept in Quanzhou, Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Taiwan (China) and communities in Southeast Asia. It carries Tang and Song music and took shape in Quanzhou societies in the Ming and Qing. It entered China's national list in 2006 and UNESCO's in 2009.
Musical features
The repertoire falls into zhi, pu and qu. Zhi are suites with words for practice and ceremony, pu are instrumental suites, qu are separate songs. The upper four are dongxiao, erxian, pipa and sanxian, joined by shawm, bells and clappers. The pipa is held sideways; singing uses the Quanzhou dialect. Gongche scores give the skeleton only, and ornament passes by ear. A piece opens freely, unfolds slowly and gathers speed.
Repertoire
Frequent items include the zhi suites Born of Itself and A Letter of Longing, the pu suites Plum Blossom Refrain and Eight Steeds, and the songs Dangerous Mountain Passes and Because I Sent My Brother.
What to listen for
Start with the flute's long notes, then hear how the erxian hugs the voice. The pipa marks the skeleton, the sanxian keeps time, but the four do not play in unison. Listen at the move from free time to slow tempo, when the group changes pace without conductor.
Common misunderstandings
Nanyin is often taken for Fujian folk song, or confused with southern opera and pop borrowing the name. It is an ensemble tradition with its own scores, societies and vocal style. Nor does it belong only to the old; young Quanzhou societies keep it alive.
Listen in the library
All tracks from midicn-lib — inline badge is the license tier (C1 commercial / C2 non-commercial / C3 study only).
Sources
- 《中国音乐词典》编辑部编，中国音乐词典（人民音乐出版社）— 条目与年代核对，未引用
- The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed., entry "China" — framework and dates checked, not quoted
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.