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Wonder in Sizhu
HostMali Liu
Topic
Chinese music reached its artistic zenith during the Song dynasty, where centuries of cultural evolution culminated in a refined synthesis of Northern musical structure and Southern poetic tradition.
Content
Chinese music reached its artistic zenith during the Song dynasty, where centuries of cultural evolution culminated in a refined synthesis of Northern musical structure and Southern poetic tradition. The literati played a vital role in this transformation, elevating the art of ci poetry into a musical form of unmatched elegance and emotional depth. Yet, after the fall of the Song, this brilliance faded, and later music grew rigid and formulaic.
This episode centers on Liu Yong, a Northern Song poet known for his lyrical sensitivity and pioneering use of long-form ci. Though denied official recognition due to his romantic themes, Liu Yong became the first to earn fame solely through his poetry. His verses, such as “衣帶漸寬終不悔，為伊消得人憔悴,” reflect both personal longing and the urban spirit of his time.
We feature Mountain Rhapsody, a 1996 zhongruan concerto by Zhou Yuguo, structured in three movements—Valley, Stream, and Peak—each inspired by iconic lines from Yan Shu, Liu Yong, and Xin Qiji. The first movement evokes solitude and yearning through Yan Shu’s refined imagery. The second, shaped by Liu Yong’s emotional intensity, flows like a stream of longing. The final movement ascends with Xin Qiji’s heroic passion, culminating in a burst of light and resolution.
Also included are Su Shi’s Shui Diao Ge Tou and Spring Green Jiangnan, echoing the poetic landscapes of the Song. Together, these works form a musical and literary journey through the emotional terrain of ci poetry—elegant, tender, and bold.
This episode invites listeners to rediscover the soul of Song music, where poetry and melody converge in timeless resonance.
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