From The Introduction Of "imitation" To "explore" And "innovation" - The History Of The Development Of Semi-rich Modern Art In The 20th Century Song

The first half of 20th century witnessed a historical development of Chinese art song, which indicates that modern Chinese art song has accomplished its historical evolvement by integrating Chinese culture with foreign one. At the turn of 19th century, the "School Song" appeared, which represented the period of introducing Western Music; Chinese art song came into being in 1920s and developed in 1930s; during the period of Anti-Japanese War and after that, Chinese art song had underwent a more intensive transition. The "School Song" bore the feature of culture importing. The traditional western composition skills were followed in the 1920s.The composition of art song was valued most in music nationalization. After the breakout of Anti-Japanese War the innovative awareness in art songs were represented not only by the new elements in dramatic tension but also by the absorption and application of modern composition skills. From introduction to imitation, then to exploration and innovation, the evolvement trace highlights the development logic of art song. In the course of integrating foreign culture, Chinese art song has never discarded its own national culture when assimilating traditional western composition skills. It is the incorporation of the two different cultures that shape the pattern of Chinese art song in the first half of the 20th century.