Asian Music Circuit | Summer Schools


		Home About Us Sitemap

Summer School 2005

CHINESE MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL
23rd – 30th July

This summer school offered 8 days of expert tuition in Chinese instrumental music, including master classes on the qin with Zeng Chengwei , dizi with Wang Ciheng , pipa with Cheng Yu and erhu with Hu Bin. In addition to instrumental workshops, there was the opportunity to join the ensemble classes.

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE
	Zeng Chengwei guqin	The guqin (7-stringed plucked zither) is one of the most ancient and sophisticated instruments in China. An intimate solo tradition, it is inspired by the more meditative aspects of Daoism, seeking mystical communion with nature. The guqin has a wide range (approximately 4 octaves) and a variety of timbres. Zeng Chengwei is a world-class guqin master from Sichuan province (South-West China) and represents the “shu” style of playing. As well as teaching guqin, Zeng Chengwei will also share his skills as an expert guqin maker.
	Cheng Yu pipa	The pipa is a pear-shaped lute with fourstrings which are plucked with the fingers of the right hand. The pipa originally came to China through the “Silk Road” where it occupied an important historical role in the self-cultivation of the elite. The pipa also features prominently in the earthy folk styles of the Silk-and-Bamboo music of the Shanghai tea houses. Cheng Yu is an internationally renowned pipa virtuoso from Beijing, and her most recent project has been to re-create the 5-stringed pipa (lost in the 8th century).
	Wang Ciheng dizi	The dizi is a transverse bamboo flute dating back over two thousand years. Today it is a highly popular solo instrument in a wide variety of musical genres. Wang Ciheng is a highly recognised dizi master and has performed at many prominent festivals around the world. As well as teaching dizi, Wang Ciheng will also offer classes on the xiao, bawu, xun and the paixiao panpipe.
	Hu Bin erhu	The erhu, known as the ‘Chinese violin’, is a two-stringed bowed spike lute, capable of producing a variety of effects – including sad, joyful and mysterious melodies. Hu-Bin is a well-known UK based erhu soloist. She will offer classes at this year’s summer school on the erhu and the gaohu (high-pitched Cantonese fiddle).