The Influences of Folk Song and Folk Instruments in Chinese Piano Music

Despite possessing a vast cultural repository of folk music and folk instruments, it was not until the early 20th century that China began to embrace piano repertoire. Although Chinese piano music is a relatively new tradition, it has developed rapidly, and Chinese composers have prioritized a unique presentation of "Chinese sound" by incorporating traditional elements of folk music and melodies from ancient Chinese instruments into the repertoire. This document explores this unique fusion of new and old by analyzing the influences of traditional folk song and instrumental melodies in four 20th century Chinese piano pieces: Selling Sundry Goods (1952) by Chen Peixun (1922-2007), Variations on a Theme of Folk Songs from Shaanxi (1972) by Zhou Guangren (1928-2022), Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon (1975) by Wang Jianzhong (1933-2016), and Flute and Drum at Sunset (1975) by Li Yinghai (1927-2007).These pieces were chosen for this study for two reasons. First, they are representative works of a developing Chinese style of piano music; and second, they distinctly demonstrate the cultural prioritization of Chinese folk song and instrumental elements in a new and modern genre of musical expression. Selling Sundry Goods and Variations on a Theme of Folk Songs from Shaanxi bear the imprints of Chinese folk tunes from the Guangdong province and the Shaanxi provinces, respectively. Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon and Flute and Drum at Sunset are based on works written for traditional Chinese instruments. These four works blend the Chinese folk elements seamlessly with the Western piano to achieve a unique aesthetic, resulting in an innovative style of Chinese piano music.