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SCORES & PLAYBACK
Chinese songs
Traditional Chinese melodies in historical public-domain notation. Early versions may differ from melodies familiar today.
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Listen to playable search results in a random order, one after another.
- Zi Zhu Diao — 紫竹調 (1928)Open score
The top line of Xiao (Zi Zhu Diao) from the 1928 keyboard score: 26 written bars, including the introduction, postlude and first/second endings. Lower chord tones, inner voice, bass, lyrics and expression marks are omitted; no harmony is added. Andante is printed; the numeric playback tempo is editorial.
- Chun You — 春遊 (Li Shutong)Open score
The complete upper melody of Li Shutong’s three-part chorus Spring Outing (1913), in 16 bars, from the 1932 reprint of a songbook first published in 1927. Other voices, lyrics, dynamics, hairpins and ritardando are omitted; no new harmony is added. Moderato is printed; the numeric playback tempo is editorial.
- Meng Jiangnu — 孟姜女 (1928)Open score
The complete eight-bar upper melody of Meng Jiangnu in T. Z. Koo’s 1928 collection. This is the historical version. Keyboard harmony, lyrics, dynamics, breath marks and the Legato instruction are omitted; no new harmony is added. The playback tempo is editorial.
- Fengyang Huagu — 鳳陽花鼓 (1928)Open score
The complete 15-bar vocal melody of Fengyang Huagu from the 1928 collection. The historical keyboard accompaniment, lyrics and expression marks are omitted; no harmony is added. Playback tempo is editorial.
- Shi Wu Duo Hua — 十五朵花 (1884)Open score
The complete 44-bar melody headed Yen-hua-liu hsiang in Chinese Music (1884), p. 42, also named Shih-wu t’o hua (Fifteen Bunches of Flowers) on p. 43. Four ties are retained. Lyrics and later stanzas are omitted; no accompaniment is added. The playback tempo is editorial.
- Wang Da Niang — 王大娘 (1884)Open score
The song headed Wang Ta-niang or Madame Wang in Chinese Music (1884), p. 38. All 31 printed melody bars and the final tied note are retained. Lyrics and later text-only verses are omitted.
- Ma-ma hao ming-pai — 媽媽好明白 (1884)Open score
The North Chinese air Ma-ma hao ming-pai, printed in Chinese Music (1884), p. 44. Its complete 22-bar melody, trill and two small grace notes are retained. No lyrics or new accompaniment are added.
- Xian Hua — 鮮花 (1884)Open score
The melody headed Xian Hua (The Fresh Beautiful Flower) in J. A. van Aalst's Chinese Music (1884), p. 19. This early Mo Li Hua version differs from the familiar modern Jiangsu version. The opening two bars repeat as printed.