Ocora - China - The Art of the Qin

China - The Art of the Qin [Chine - L'Art du Qin]
played by Li Xiangting
Ocora C 560001, CD recorded and released 1990

Review from All Music Guide:
The Qin (pronounced "chin") is a seven-stringed table zither, quite possibly among the oldest Chinese musical instrument. It was cited in some poems more than 2,700 years ago. It went through different versions. The standardized 21st century version was created sometime around the second or third century A.D.

The Qin became an instrument of choice at the court during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In fact, it is the most documented Chinese musical instrument, in treatises, essays, handbooks, and poetry (there exist more than 150 handbooks on the Qin). It has been used for meditation purposes in natural environments, especially for Taoist and Confusion values, and its music has an obvious meditative character.

One interesting point to mention is that the Chinese were already using harmonics on the Qin almost 2,000 years ago. Li Xiangting, one of China's great masters of the Qin, gives an exquisite overview of this instrument, which is more than two millennium old, with pieces almost as old as the instruments. You can hear history in this fascinating music and instrument.[Bruno Deschênes]

China - Celestial Music for Qin (zither) and Xiao (bamboo flute)

China - Celestial Music for Qin and Xiao
Deng Hong, qin & Chen Shasha, xiao
Caprice Records CAP 21818, recorded 2008, CD released 2009

Qin (pronounced 'chin') is a quiet instrument, best suited to be played in solitude or with a good friend who follows the melody on flute. The instrument is difficult to play, and one problem for new beginners is that there is no sheet music of the kind we are used to. The seven strings are made of tightly thrown silk. To obtain the durable silk threads required for the strings, the silkworms are fed a special leaf from the zhe-tree. Qin music is normally not performed in public.

Throughout history, the instrument has been regarded with immense reverence and celebrated in countless poems. In ancient times, it was used by sorcerers and shamans to avert misfortunes and maintain harmony. From the mid 1960s and decades onwards, qin was considered too elitist in China, but today the instrument is advancing strongly and has reclaimed its role as its country's foremost national instrument. A few years ago, it was included in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

01. Qi Yan Hui (Tears for Yan Hui)
02. Liu shui (Flowing Waters)
03. Meihua san nong (Three Variations on the Melody Plumblossoms)
04. Chunxiao yin (Spring Morning)
05. Guanshan yue (Moon over the Mountain Pass)
06. Ping sha luo yan (Wild Geese decending on the Sandbank)
07. Yangguan san die (Three Variations on the parting for Yangguan)
08. Liang xiao yin (Serene Night)
09. Si da jing (Four great Sceneries)
10. Ao ai (Creeks of the Oars)