The first generation of Chinese art song

The purpose of this essay is to introduce listeners to a compact disc recording of Chinese art songs by composers Huang Zi, He Luting, Liu Xue'an, Jiang Dingxian, Chen Tianhe, Lin Shengxi, Qian Renkang, and Tan Xiaolin. While Huang Zi, et al. are not widely known by singers or voice teachers especially outside China, their songs deserve scholarly consideration. By examining these songs I hope to share with both the Chinese and non-Chinese reader one small yet valuable representation of the rich and fascinating arts culture of my country.

This compact disc recording attempts to fill a void of Chinese art songs composed in a Western style from the 1920s to the 1950s. These songs use melodies based on Chinese motives and texts, but with rhythms and harmonies that are based on uncomplicated Western compositional methods. The twenty-four songs portray various emotions and sound ardent yet transparent. They demonstrate the attempts of these Chinese first generation composers to create a new national music.

To support the compact disc recording, this thesis outlines the social and historical context for these compositions and composers of the time. Original translations of the song texts from Chinese into English are offered. Some compositional traits for each composer are mentioned. Biographies of the composers illuminate the importance of these men. Appendices offer voice teachers detailed information such as key, range, level of difficulty and poetic symbolism. These details will help voice teachers discern which songs might be appropriate for their students.