Zhang ziqian
Encyclopedia
Zhang Ziqian a famous seven-string zither qin players, was born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, The People's Republic of China. He studied the guqin
with a guqin master Suo Shaotao at the age of thirteenth. In the 1930s, Zhang moved to Shanghai
and worked as an accountant at a salt factory. In Shanghai, he met Zha Fuxi
and Peng Zhiqing who were active qin players then. They frequently played the guqin together and Zhang’s playing skills were greatly influenced by them. In 1936, Zhang, Zha, Peng and other masters founded Jin Yu Qin She (Qin Society of Contemporary Yu Region), a qin society. In 1956, Zhang became a guqin performer by being appointed as a member of the state-run Shanghai Minzu Yuetuan (Shanghai National Music Ensemble); and a guqin teacher at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music
in 1960.
As a professional guqin performer of the Guanling School, one of the qin schools
, Zhang skillfully transcribed guqin pieces from ancient manuscripts with the Guanling style and his distinctive interpretations, e.g. rhythmic variations. His famous pieces includes Longxiang Cao (Soaring Dragon), Pingsha Luoyan (Geese Descending on the Sandbank), and Meihua Sannong (Three Variations of Plum Blossom). His rendition of Longxiang Cao is considered one of his best interpretations and thus he is also known as Zhang Longxiang (張龍翔).
Zhang was also devoted to writing articles and essays on guqin. In 1961, he published Guqin Chujie (A Preliminary Introduction to the Guqin) with Zha Fuxi and Shen Caonong. This publication features guqin history
, guqin construction
, guqin playing technique
, guqin notation
, and guqin pieces, which is considered as a major introductory manual for beginners.
Guqin
The guqin is the modern name for a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument of the zither family...
with a guqin master Suo Shaotao at the age of thirteenth. In the 1930s, Zhang moved to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
and worked as an accountant at a salt factory. In Shanghai, he met Zha Fuxi
Zha Fuxi
Zha Fuxi was a leading player and scholar of the guqin. Born in Jiangxi, he started learning guqin in his childhood. In 1936, he co-founded the Jinyu Society Qin Society which later became one of the major national musical organizations for the guqin.Apart from his profession on guqin, he worked...
and Peng Zhiqing who were active qin players then. They frequently played the guqin together and Zhang’s playing skills were greatly influenced by them. In 1936, Zhang, Zha, Peng and other masters founded Jin Yu Qin She (Qin Society of Contemporary Yu Region), a qin society. In 1956, Zhang became a guqin performer by being appointed as a member of the state-run Shanghai Minzu Yuetuan (Shanghai National Music Ensemble); and a guqin teacher at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music
Shanghai Conservatory of Music
The Shanghai Conservatory of Music , as the first music institution of higher education in China, was founded on November 27, 1927. The teachers and students have won numerous awards both home and abroad, thus earning the conservatory the name, “the cradle of musicians”.-History:The Shanghai...
in 1960.
As a professional guqin performer of the Guanling School, one of the qin schools
Qin schools
A qin school is a school of guqin players that play in a style that is different from other styles.People often talk about regional styles because such a model simplifies things — and because it is still somewhat applicable, though less so now than 100 years ago...
, Zhang skillfully transcribed guqin pieces from ancient manuscripts with the Guanling style and his distinctive interpretations, e.g. rhythmic variations. His famous pieces includes Longxiang Cao (Soaring Dragon), Pingsha Luoyan (Geese Descending on the Sandbank), and Meihua Sannong (Three Variations of Plum Blossom). His rendition of Longxiang Cao is considered one of his best interpretations and thus he is also known as Zhang Longxiang (張龍翔).
Zhang was also devoted to writing articles and essays on guqin. In 1961, he published Guqin Chujie (A Preliminary Introduction to the Guqin) with Zha Fuxi and Shen Caonong. This publication features guqin history
Guqin history
The history of the Guqin, an ancient Chinese musical instrument, is a long one that spans 3,000 years. Although similar, it should not be confused with another Chinese zither instrument, the guzheng, which has bridges.-Ancient origins:...
, guqin construction
Guqin construction
The construction of the guqin Chinese zither is a complex process like any other musical instrument. However, there is much symbolism in the choice of materials, the shape or form of the instrument that are important things to consider when creating a qin....
, guqin playing technique
Guqin playing technique
The playing techniques of the guqin, is sometimes called fingerings. There is a large number of techniques employed in playing the qin, but unlike other instruments, these are rather complex and full of symbolism.-Basic sounds:...
, guqin notation
Guqin notation
The notation of the guqin is a unique form of tablature for the Chinese musical instrument, with a history of over 1,500 years, still in use today.-History:...
, and guqin pieces, which is considered as a major introductory manual for beginners.