This mini-documentary produced by the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art — an institution renowned for its dedication to preserving and promoting Asian art — is a fascinating exploration of the seven-stringed Chinese zither, the guqin. Presented by J. Keith Wilson and featuring scholar and master performer Bell Yung, it delves into the history and technique of the instrument, as well as its deep connection to nature, spirituality, and Chinese philosophy.
The Guqin: Music and Philosophy#
Since ancient times, the guqin has been a symbol of intellectual refinement, played in solitude or among a select few friends. Influenced by Daoism and Confucianism, its music draws inspiration from both natural sounds and the inner world of the performer. Throughout the video, classical Chinese paintings depicting this tradition are showcased, including a portrait of the musician Yu Boya and his friend Zhong Ziqi, whose story exemplifies the Chinese ideal of an ideal friendship based on mutual understanding through music.
Prelude to a Fine Evening#
Bell Yung performs the piece Prelude to a Fine Evening, a composition representative of the Yushan school of qin, first documented in the Songxian Guan Qinpu manual from 1614 (Ming dynasty). The poem accompanying the melody reads:
Prelude to a Fine Evening
The sky is high, the air is crisp
The moon is clear, the stars are bright
It is time to play the qin and appreciate the Dao
To drink wine and recite poetry
良宵引
天高气爽，月朗星辉，弹琴味道，饮酒赋诗。
A Musical Treasure at the Smithsonian#
The video also takes us on a journey to discover an exceptional guqin: Withered Wood, the Dragon’s Roar, the oldest instrument of its kind in any U.S. museum, dated to 1009 thanks to recent scientific studies. This guqin, part of the Freer Gallery of Art collection, features poetic inscriptions and jade embellishments. The discovery of its true age marks a milestone in the history of Chinese organology and has been documented in the book Dragon’s Roar: Chinese Literati Musical Instruments in the Freer and Sackler Collections by Yang Yuanzheng.
Book Details: Dragon’s Roar#
By Yang Yuanzheng – Introduction by J. Keith Wilson
ISBN: 978-377-743-477-3
Available at:
Technique, Notation, and Repertoire#
Bell Yung also introduces us to the technical secrets of the guqin. Its lacquered resonance chamber, seven silk strings, and thirteen inlaid markers (hui) assist the musician in executing techniques such as plucking, sliding, and harmonics. Additionally, the video explains its notation system, which does not indicate exact pitch or duration but provides detailed instructions on how to play each note. The first page of the composition Wine Madness (Jiu Kuang) from the manual Shen Qi Mi Pu, the Handbook of Mysterious and Marvellous Secrets, first published in 1425, is shown as an example.
Conclusion#
This collaboration between the Smithsonian and master Bell Yung allows us to appreciate the richness of an instrument that has resonated for over two thousand years with unparalleled beauty. It transports us to a world where music serves as a means of introspection, communication, and transcendence. This video is a must-watch for guqin enthusiasts and lovers of Chinese music in general.