Contemporary guqin players

Summary

This is a list of contemporary players of the guqin of the 20th and 21st centuries. It attempts to list most notable players (i.e. if they are publicly known and/or have made a significant contribution to qin music).

Contemporary guqin player Wu Ziying

Table guide edit

  • Personal Names (English): Gives name(s) of person in English. If that person was born with a Chinese name, it is listed in Mandarin pinyin. If one has a Cantonese or other Chinese dialect name, the Mandarin pinyin takes priority over it in order listing. The names will be listed in alphabetical order. For the sake of tidiness, the Family name will go first.
  • Personal Names (Chinese): Given name(s) of the person in traditional full Chinese characters. If that person does not have a Chinese name, it would be marked 'None'.
  • Dates: Gives the year of birth and death of said person. If not known, then deceased (dec.) or active (act.) will be used instead.
  • School or Base: The person's school or where they are currently active if known.
  • Remarks: Any important information about this person, e.g. their occupation, experience, etc.

China, Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR edit

Personal Names (English) Personal Names (Chinese) Dates School or Base Remarks
Tsar Teh-Yun (Mandarin: Cai Deyun) 蔡德允 1905—2007 Hong Kong Head of the Deyin Qinshe of Hong Kong, oldest qin player in the last generation. Disciple of Shen Caonong. SBS (銀紫荊星章)
Chen Changlin 陳長林 1932- Min/Lingnan Schools Transmitter of the Min School. As computer scientist and well-respected guqin player, he participated in the early phase of a "Digital Guqin" project and presented a version using C++, demonstrated a software for generating guqin notations on PC286 which runs on DOS, created in the early 1980s. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Chen Leiji 陳雷激 1967- Shanghai Student of Gong Yi. Performed at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Chen Wen 陳雯 1961- Taiwan
Cheng Gongliang 成公亮 1940—2015 Guangling School Professor of Guqin at Nanjing Conservatory of Music. Notable researcher and composer of guqin music.
Dai Xiaolian 戴曉蓮 1963- Guangling School Professor of Guqin at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Grand-niece of Zhang Ziqian.
Ding Chengyun 丁承運 1944- Shu
Ding Jiyuan 丁紀園 1942- Shu School
Gong Yi 龔一 1941- Shanghai (Conservatory) Elite professional qin player previously from the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Guan Pinghu 管平湖 1897—1967 Jiuyi Revered master; dapued many qin scores such as Liu Shui and Guangling San. In 1977, his recording of Liu Shui (Flowing Water) was chosen to be included in the Voyager Golden Record, a collection of world music sent into space on the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft.
Guan Zhonghang 關仲航 1900—1970 Jiuyi School
Gu Meigeng 顧梅羹 1899—1990 Shu School; Huayang
Gu Zechang 顧澤長 1941—2018 Shu School
Huang Mianzhi 黃勉之 1853—1919 Jiuyi School
Li Fan 李璠 1913—2008 Shu School 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Li Feng 李楓 1961- Taiwan Plays on silk strings; has released a CD.
Li Fengyun 李鳳雲 (act.) Tianjin Student of Zhang Ziqian. professor in Tianjin Conservatory of Music. She has published a solo CD album by Hugo.
Li Kongyuan 李孔元 (act.)
Li Mingzhong 李明忠 (act.) Shanxi Qin scholar and maker.
Li Xiangting 李祥霆 1940- Beijing (Conservatory) Elite professional qin player. Current president of the China Guqin Committee. Noted for improvisation. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Li Yuxian 李禹賢 1937—2011 Mei'an School
Lin Youren 林友仁 1938—2013 Guangling School Professor of Guqin at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Transmitter of the Guangling school. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Liu Chicheng 劉赤城 1938—2019 Mei'an School 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Lau Chor-wah (Mandarin: Liu Chuhua) 劉楚華 1951- Hong Kong One of the top players in Hong Kong.
Liu Jingshao 劉景韶 1903—1987 Mei'an School
Liu Shaochun 劉少椿 1901—1971 Guangling School A player of the Guangling School, noted for his eccentric style and interparation.
Liu Zhengchun 劉正春 1935—2013 Jinling
Lo Ka Ping (Mandarin: Lu Jiabing) 盧家炳 1896—1980 Hong Kong Has released a CD of his recordings.
Long Qinfang 龍琴舫 1886—1959 Shu School
Mei Yueqiang 梅曰強 1929—2003 Guangling School
Pang Yuzhu 龐雨珠 1935- Mei'an School
Pei Tiexia 裴鐵俠 1884—1950 Shu School
Peng Zhiqing 彭祉卿 1891—1946 Shu School
Pu Xuezhai 溥雪齋 1893—1966 Beijing The cousin of the last emperor of China, Puyi. An artist of Chinese painting.
Rao Zongyi (Jao Tsung-I) 饒宗頤 1917—2018 Lingnan School Famous Sinologist, Professor Emeritus and lecturer at CUHK.
Rong Tianqi 容天折 1936—1994 Guangdong
Shen Caonong 沈草農 1891—1973 Fanchuan School, Shanghai
Sun Shaotao 孫紹陶 1879—1949 Guangling School
Sun Yuqin 孫毓芹 1915—1990 Taiwan
Tong Kin-woon (Mandarin: Tang Jianyuan) 唐健垣 1946- Hong Kong Guqin player and teacher, chief editor of Qinfu 琴府, a composite volume of ancient scores (not to be confused with the Qin Fu of Ji Kang). As well, a virtuoso of the guzheng and nanyin (a singing style).
Wang Di 王迪 1926-2005 Jiuyi School Female student of Guan Pinghu, did a cross country survey of qin players in 1956, tape recorded qin players using magnetic tapes. These recordings are now in Shanghai. Cecilia Lindqvist was a student of hers.
Wang Duo 汪鐸 1938— Suzhou Guqin player of the Wumen Qinshe of Suzhou. Head of Guqin Research Centre of Suzhou University of Science and Technology. Special research topics include: silk strings, Dapu, Taoist Guqin music, Guqin master player and musician in the "Digital Guqin" project entitled "Zebrafish".
Wang Huade 王華德 1922—2008 Shu School
Wang Lu 王露 1879—1921 Zhucheng School Founder of the 德音琴社 in Jinan.
Wang Peng 王鹏 1966- Founder, Juntianfang. Beijing Guqin maestro and master artisan. Wang Peng made the guqin (an exact replica of a 1,000-year-old guqin from the Tang Dynasty) that was used in the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics. His expertise has been formally recognised by the Chinese Government as an 'asset of China's intangible cultural heritage'. Wang Peng has now repaired and restored more than 180 historic guqin made during China's imperial period. His Jun Tian Fang (钧天坊) complex on the outskirts of Beijing has also been recognised as an "asset of China's intangible cultural heritage." It houses a studio for guqin research, development and manufacture (using traditional techniques); a guqin museum; a guqin teaching academy; a state-of-the-art performance theatre and recording studio; a guqin literature, research and publications collection; and a design studio. Wang Peng is also a virtuoso performer, and has performed across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as in Canada and the United States. He has authored seven books, contributed to four others, written numerous journal articles, and spoken at several leading universities both within China, and in the Europe and the U.S.
Wang Shengxiang 王生香 1902—1975 Jinling, Shandong
Wang Yanying 王燕卿 1867—1921 Zhucheng and Mei'an Founder of the Mei'an School.
Wang Yongchang 王永昌 1940- Mei'an School
Wang Youdi 王悠荻 (act.) Hong Kong Guqin performer, Guqin teacher at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), and Guqin tutor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Enlightened by Prof. Gong Yi; Bachelor of Arts degree from the Central Conservatory of Music in 2010, Supervisor: Prof. Zhao Jiazhen; Master of Music degree from HKAPA in 2012, instructed by Dr. TSE Chun-Yan. Winner of the Gold Medal of the Second National Guqin Competition in 2009. Guqin music design and performance in Three Kingdoms (TV series).
Wei Zhongle 衛仲樂 1908/9—1998 Shanghai A virtuoso of many Chinese instruments, including the pipa and dizi, and important figure in Jiangnan Sizhu.
Weng Yucang 翁瘦蒼 1916—2002 Yushan School
Wu Jinglüe 吳景略 1907—1987 Yushan School Elite master noted for his prominent role in the modernization and professionalization of the instrument.
Wu Jinyang 吳浸陽 1882—? Sichuan
Wu Lansun 吳蘭蓀 1883—1960 Yushan School
Wu Wenguang 吳文光 1946- Yushan School Elite professional qin player; son of Wu Jinglue and transmitter of the Yushan school. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Wu Zhao 吳釗 1935— Beijing Former president of the Beijing Guqin Society; has published books and research on the qin. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Wu Zhaoji 吳兆基 1908—1997 Hunan Transmitter of the Wu style.
Wu Zonghan 吳宗漢 1902—1991 Mei'an School
Xia Yifeng 夏一峰 1872—1963 Jinling
Xie Daoxiu 謝導秀 1940—2019 Lingnan School
Tse Chun-Yan (Mandarin: Xie Junren) 謝俊仁 (act.) Hong Kong One of the top players in Hong Kong.
Xie Xiaoping 謝孝苹 ?—1998 Yushan School
Xu Jian 許健 1923-2017 Beijing Qin scholar who wrote the Qinshi Chubian.
Xu Kuanghua 徐匡華 1917—2007 Zhejiang Founder of the Xihu Qin Society. Appeared in the film, Hero. Died Feb 13, 2007.
Xu Lisun 徐立孫 1897—1969 Mei'an School
Xu Shaoying 徐曉英 1937—2016 Zhe School
Xu Yuan-bai 徐元白 1893—1957 Zhe School
Xu Zhongwei 徐忠偉 1920— Yushan School
Yang Xinlun 楊新倫 1898—1990 Lingnan School
Yang Zongji 楊宗稷 1865—1931 Jiuyi School Founder of the Jiuyi School, compiler of the Qinxue Congshu.
Yao Bingyan 姚丙炎 1921—1983 Zhe School Dapued (transcribed) the classic version of Jiu Kuang in triple-time rhythm.
Yao Gongbai 姚公白 1948— Zhejiang Yao Bingyan's second son. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Yao Gongjing 姚公敬 1955— Yao Bingyan's third son.
Ye Mingpei 葉名佩 1929— Zhe School
Yu Bosun 俞伯蓀 1922—2013 Shu School
Yu Qingxin 余青欣 1956-2015 Beijing 古琴协会秘书长, 国家一级演员, 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Yu Shaoze 喻紹澤 1903—1987 Shu School Transmitter of the Shu School.
Yue Ying 樂瑛 1904—1974 Jiuyi School
Zeng Chengwei 曾成偉 1958— Shu School; Chengdu Highly regarded guqin maker as well as transmitter of the Shu School.
Zha Fuxi 查阜西 1895—1976 Yushan School Great researcher and player of qin music, specialising in qin songs.
Zhan Chengqiu 詹澂秋 1890—1973 Zhucheng School
Teo Kheng-chong (Mandarin: Zhang Qingchong) 張慶崇 (act.) Hong Kong Guqin player and researcher from Singapore, musician in sound properties of the guqin instrument, has developed a bright style of guqin playing. Participated in the "Digital Guqin" project entitled: "Pale Ink". Teacher of guqin, and scholar researcher of guqin music.
Zhang Lu 张璐 1992 Beijing Started learning at 11 years of age. Graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music. Has performed on Chinese television as well as internationally (Australia, New Zealand, England, Russia, Peru, USA).
Zhang Qingji 張清治 1940— Taiwan
Zhang Youhe 張友鶴 1895—1940 Zhucheng School
Zhang Zhisun 章志蓀 1885—? Taiwan
Zhang Ziqian 張子謙 1899—1991 Guangling School Revered master of the Guangling School.
Zhao Jiazhen 赵家珍 (act.) Beijing Student of Wu Wenguang and professor at the China Conservatory of Music; Wu Na was a student of Zhao. Zhao has explored film music with guqin and has set up the Zhao Jiazhen Guqin Art Centre (赵家珍古琴艺术中心) in Beijing.
Zhao Xiaoxia 赵晓霞 Beijing Virtuoso who plays internationally (ex: Tan Dun's piece at UNESCO in Paris (Concert Music for Water, March 22, 2013), and teacher at Beijing Central Conservatory of Music.
Zheng Minzhong 鄭珉中 1923-2019 Jiuyi School; Beijing Student of Guan Pinghu, well-respected player, specialist in guqin connoisseurship in Palace Museum, Beijing. 國家級非物質文化遺產項目(古琴藝術)代表性傳承人.
Zheng Yunfei 鄭雲飛 1939—

United States edit

Personal Names (English) Personal Names (Chinese) Dates School or Base Remarks
Binkley, Jim 畢克禮 (act.) Portland, Oregon Translated the Yugu Zhai Qinpu into English, amateur qin maker. Website
Dydo, Stephen 戴德 (act.) Yonkers, NY Co-founder and current president of New York Qin Society; also makes guqin. Website
He, Yu 何宇 (act.) Columbus, OH Student of Shuishan Yu.
Liang, Mingyue 梁銘越 (act.) Ellicott City, MD Son of the renowned Taiwanese guzheng player/scholar Liang Tsai-Ping.
Li, Yiming 李一鳴 (act.) San Francisco, CA A Qin player (taught by Gu, Zechang.Gong Yi. Li, Xiangting. Zhao, jiazhen) and Guqin Society International President in San Francisco. Graduate of Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Liaoning Province, PRC.
Lieberman, Fredric None (dec.) Santa Cruz, CA Translated the Mei'an Qinpu into English.
Liu Li 劉麗 (act.) New York, NY A graduate in Guqin performance at the Central Conservatory of Music, taught by renowned players such as Wu Jinglüe, Wu Wenguang as well as Li Xiangting. An Associate Professor in Guqin at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing before moving to the US. Collaborated with composer Tan Dun and violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman on recording the soundtrack for the movie Hero
Lui Pui-Yuen[1] 吕培原 (act.) Los Angeles, CA Student of Wu Zonghan, Meian School. Well-known pipa master. Director of the Spring Thunder Chinese Music Orchestra, 春雷国乐社。
Lui Tsun-Yuen[2][3] Los Angeles, CA Brother of Lui Pui-Yuen. Headed Chinese Music Program at UCLA's Department of Ethnomusicology.
Jiaoyue Lyu 吕皎月 (act.) New York University New York, NY A Guqin and Zhu (筑) performer based in New York City, held the solo recital at Carnegie Hall on June 2, 2014 and October 29, 2016 in Lincoln Center of Performing Arts.
Yung, Bell (Mandarin: Rong Hongzeng) 榮鴻曾 (act.) Pittsburgh
Thompson, John 唐世璋 (act.) New York, NY American whose "historically informed performance" includes over 150 melodies he has reconstructed from early tablature including the entire Shen Qi Mi Pu. His website includes translation, analysis and over 70 sound files with his reconstructions.
Wang Fei 王菲 (act.) San Francisco Bay Area, CA A qin player taught by Li Xiangting.
Wong Gleysteen, Marilyn (Mandarin: Wang Miaolian) 王妙蓮 (act.) Washington, D.C.
Wu Ziying 吳自英 1943— Seattle, WA A guqin and pipa player (taught by Wang Jiru 王吉儒, Wu Jinglüe吳景略, Zha Fuxi 查阜西, Sun Zongpeng 孫宗彭, Xu Lisun 徐立蓀, and Gu Meigeng 顧梅羹); former professor of traditional Chinese Music at Shanghai Normal University and director of the Shanghai Qin Association; produced two CDs of guqin classics with the support of the 2006 Jack Straw Artist Support Program. Website
Yang Shin-yi 楊信宜 (act.) Boston, MA Student of Wang Haiyan (Mei'an school) and Tang Jianyuan.
Yip Mingmei (Mandarin: Ye Mingmei) 葉明媚 (act.) New York, NY Qin scholar, a student of Cai Deyun.
Yeh Shihhua 葉時華 (act.) New York, NY Graduated from Taipei University of the Art, major in the qin. MA of Ethnomusicology of Sheffield University, UK. A professional qin and zheng player and educator.
Yu Shuishan 于水山 (act.) Boston, MA Student of Wu Ziying; founder of the North America Mei'an Guqin Society, professor of architecture at Northeastern University.
Yuan Jungping 袁中平 (act.) New York, NY Student of Sun Yuqin and Wu Zhaoji; founder of the New York Qin Society.
Zhang Peiyou 張培幼 (act.) New York, NY A qin player and teacher, former student of Yuan Jungping. Website
Wang, Geng 王耕 (act.) Iowa City, IA Student of Li Fengyun. Website
Wang, Bohan 王博瀚 (act.) San Francisco Bay Area, CA Student of Wu Ziying.
Dai, Zelin 戴泽霖 (act.) SF Bay Area, CA A qin player of the Guangling School.

Canada edit

Personal Names (English) Personal Names (Chinese) Dates School or Base Remarks
Wong, Fred (Mandarin: Huang Shuzhi) 黃樹志 (act.) Coquitlam, BC Producer of the Taigu silk strings. Editor of modern qin book series, Qinxue Congkan.
Kiu Shan (Mandarin: Qiao Shan) 喬姍 (act.) Vancouver, BC Founder of Jiuyi Qin Association
Yeung, Juni L. (Mandarin: Yang Junli) 楊儁立 1987— Toronto, ON Founder and President of the University of Toronto Guqin Association (now the Toronto Guqin Society). Pen name: Satsuki Shizuka 五月 靜

Germany edit

Personal Names (English) Personal Names (Chinese) Dates School or Base Remarks
Dahmer, Manfred 曼大墨 (act.) Germany Qin and guitar player, book author ("Qin - die klassische chinesische Griffbrettzither"), scholar in Chinese culture.
Li, Pengpeng 李蓬蓬 (act.) Weimar, Germany Daughter of the famous chinese guqin player Li Xiangting.
Stoevesandt, Ingo None (act.) Ritterhude, Germany Maintainer of "The music of Southeast Asia".
Ziegler, Henning 奇和寜 (act.) Berlin, Germany Website

Brazil edit

Personal Names (English) Personal Names (Chinese) Dates School or Base Remarks
Ribeiro, André 1975- São Paulo, Brazil Composer and ethnomusicologist. Qin player under the guidance of Peiyou Chang, and has as mentor Yuan Jung-Ping. Researches oriental poetics in concert music, organizing the research group POEM, linked to the postdoctoral program of the USP Department of Music. Co-founder of Guqin Brazil Association (2019), and artistic director of the Gaoshan Liushui Ensemble of Chinese Music, since 2012. He also conducts ethnographic research on music in Buddhist rites and ceremonies.
"vermelho" Garcia, Victor 1992- São Paulo, Brazil Musician (doctor graduated in medicine from the University of São Paulo) Qin player, under the guidance of 白无瑕 Bai Wuxia from the Shangai Conservatory. Co-founder of Guqin Brazil Association.

Others edit

Personal Names (English) Personal Names (Chinese) Dates School or Base Remarks
Cheng Yu 程玉 (act.) London, UK Qin and pipa player from Beijing now resident in London. Founder and President of the London Youlan Qin Society and several Chinese music ensembles in Britain.
Tsua, Charles Rupert 徐永裕(長韻) 1983— Shu School; Birmingham, UK Former compiler of the guqin and most relating articles on Wikipedia. Member of the Committee of the London Youlan Qin Society. Studied under Zeng Chengwei and plays primarily under the Shu School style. Independent scholar.
Chow, Shuen-git / Swannjie (Mandarin: Zhou Xuanjie) 周旋捷 (act.) Canada/France/China-HK Chinese Canadian, created video documentary of Master guqin players, and children players - largest collection outside of China. Initiated the "Digital Guqin" projects to introduce guqin sounds to a wider, youthful audience as a lead in for authentic guqin culture and practice. Designed new guqin forms, research-creations using CAO (computer assisted composition) to explore possibilities of guqin sound wave treatments in contemporary art and culture. Created new designs in traditional guqin instruments, i.e. the "Half HunDun 2006", building of Digital Guqin Museum in 3D immersive virtual world platform Second life.

> World's First Carbon Fiber Guqin prototype : original design "Half HunDun", July 2016. weight 2.38 kg. Carbon Fiber and lacquer, hard wood > Second prototype in the making : original design "Who's in the Qin?"

[1],[2], Website

Fushimi Kiyoshi 伏見靖 1956- Kyoto, Japan Guqin player, scholar in Japanese and Chinese traditional music. Style lineage from Mme. Tsar Teh-Yun. Director of Kamakura Qin Society then the 疇祉琴社 Chûshi Qin Society.
Michele Cesaratto (act.) Udine, Italy Guqin player, performer of Jiang Kui ci, founder of Chinese traditional music ensemble "Pelagia Noctiluca". Currently based in Florence.
Gulik, Robert Hans van 高羅佩 1910—1967 Netherlands Dutch writer who wrote the important Lore of the Chinese Lute, also famous detective novelist, Ming style woodblock print specialist, diplomat. Erudite scholar in Chinese culture.
Kim, Sang-sun 金商順 (김상순) (act.) Seoul, Korea Gayageum player who went to China to study guqin under Li Xiangting. Has an album published in Korea called 琴聲還鳴 (금성환명).
Sakata Shinichi 坂田進一 (act.) Japan Guqin player, composer, scholar in the Japanese and Chinese traditional music, writer, director of Tokyo Kin-sha (Tokyo Qin Society).
Vigo, Joan M 易兆安 (act.) Spain Founder and webmaster of the Friends of Guqin website.
Streller-Shen, Qin 沈沁 (act.) Switzerland Guqin player and guqin teacher, Master of Philosophy from China Conservatory of Music. Teacher and webmaster of the www.qinqin.ch website.
Takei Yuki

(Gao Yusheng)

武井欲生

(高欲生)

1963- Tokyo, Japan Representative Director of [4] Japan Society for Promotions of Guqin (Inc. Association)

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Floating Petals... Wild Geese... The Moon on High: Music of the Chinese Pipa, Lui Pui-Yuen. Nonesuch Explorer H-72085, 1980 (vinyl LP)
  2. ^ Armstrong, Donna (January 5, 2016). "Family of Tsun Yuen Lui Creates $20,000 Scholarship Fund". UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  3. ^ China's Treasures: Lui Tsun-Yuen plays the Pipa and Chin (Liner notes to LP). New York: Lyrichord.
  4. ^ "一般社団法人 日本古琴振興会". www.guqin.jp. Retrieved 2018-08-03.

International Directory of Guqin Teachers