China: Chuida Wind and Percussive Instrumental Ensembles

The music of China is as varied as its enormous population, but chuida is one of several styles of traditional folk music that is widespread. Chuida literally means “breathing-striking” and refers to wind and percussion ensembles rooted in rural communities, often played outdoors and sometimes as a procession. Flutes, oboes, gongs, and drums produce a harmonic mix of percussive and melodic sounds. Songs are tied to daily activities and special occasions, such as weddings, funerals, and birthdays.This album documents the chuida traditions of three provinces on China’s east coast:  Shanghai, Zheijiang, and Fujian provinces. François Picard, who recorded the tracks and wrote the liner notes, is France’s first full-time ethnomusicology professor, and he continues to teach at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Track Listing

101	Overture (Yin tou)	The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou	04:56
102	Seven modulations (Qi guan fan)	The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou	05:37
103	Dressing Pavilion (Shuzhuang lou)	The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou	02:52
104	The Prince's Voyage (Taizi you)	The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou	02:53
105	Incantation to Guanyin (Guanyin zhou)	The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou	02:07
106	Approaching the dressing-table (Bang zhuang tai)	South River Chinese Music Association (Jiangnan Guoyue hui) and New Sound Chinese Music Association (Xinsheng Guoyue hui)	04:10
107	Four in one (Luogu sihe)	South River Chinese Music Association (Jiangnan Guoyue hui) and New Sound Chinese Music Association (Xinsheng Guoyue hui)	15:36
108	The Great Residence of the Mandarin (Da yuanmen)	Bainigan village orchestra	07:46
109	Beautiful flowers (Duhua)	Bainigan village orchestra	09:35
110	Summer rain (Xia yu)	Bainigan village orchestra	07:08
111	Celebration after a good harvest (Qing feng shou)	Bainigan village orchestra	07:39