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China: Chuida Wind and Percussive Instrumental Ensembles

Various Artists
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

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101
Overture (Yin tou) The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou 04:56
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102
Seven modulations (Qi guan fan) The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou 05:37
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103
Dressing Pavilion (Shuzhuang lou) The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou 02:52
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104
The Prince's Voyage (Taizi you) The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou 02:53
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105
Incantation to Guanyin (Guanyin zhou) The Peartree Orchard opera troupe (Liyuan xi) of Quanzhou 02:07
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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
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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
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108
The Great Residence of the Mandarin (Da yuanmen) Bainigan village orchestra 07:46
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109
Beautiful flowers (Duhua) Bainigan village orchestra 09:35
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110
Summer rain (Xia yu) Bainigan village orchestra 07:08
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111
Celebration after a good harvest (Qing feng shou) Bainigan village orchestra 07:39