Chang'an Ancient Music Heritage

Chang'an classic music is an ancient form of grand ensemble instrumental folk music, which is popular in Xi'an urban area and some districts pertaining to it, such as Chang'an, Zhouzhi and Lantian, etc. Chang'an classic music retains some traditional aspects of the ancient music in Tang and Song dynasty. Therefore, it is recognized as "living fossil" of Chinese music and is valuable to study Chinese traditional musical culture. However, being an ancient art and traditional culture, Chang'an classic music is inaccessible to modern society and facing survival crisis. Its significant cultural value contrasts remarkably with its bleak living conditions. Classical studies of Chang'an classic music have made great improvements, but less attention has been given to the role of actors in the continuity of this ancient culture. It is thus of strong interest to study the transmission subjects, including their activities and the formulation of their identity, from both a theoretical and a practical point of view.In this dissertation, the research methods of ethnography, field work, case analysis and theoretical textual study are used to analyze the continuity of Chang'an classic music and the activities of actors to pass on this ancient culture from one generation to another. Thereupon, attempts are made to reveal the historical and cultural background of this folk music.Because West Nanjixian classic musical association has a relatively clearer genealogy structure, it is selected from those existing ones as the object of field investigation in this dissertation. From September 2006 to May 2009, 6 times of field investigation are made, performances are observed and a number of actors and villager are interviewed. By investigating the detail operation process and the microscopic state of the continuity of Chang'an classic music, more firsthand information is obtained. Then, according to the data obtained, the transmission situation, transmission subjects, transmission activities and transmission modes are analyzed, contemporary problems and solutions are discussed.This dissertation is helpful for the construction of essential protection rules, so as to bring about scientific framework while rescuing Chang'an classic music. On the other hand, it is also helpful for the protection of other ancient folk culture.