Singing in Mandarin

Access audio files at: https://soundcloud.com/k-chu-j-petrus/sets/singing-in-mandarin-recordedThe success of Chinese artists internationally across many art forms has focused the world's attention on the developing cultural phenomenon in China, an emerging stage for the vocal arts. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Mandarin is poised to become the next addition to lyric languages. Singing in Mandarin: A Guide to Chinese Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire is a comprehensive guide to unlocking the mysteries of Chinese contemporary vocal literature.In part one, Chu and Petrus focus on diction and language, providing detailed descriptions and exercises for creating the sounds of the language. They take a uniquely systematic approach, fusing together best practices from international music conservatories for diction study, with those for Chinese language learning. Part two outlines the historical context of Chinese vocal literature, chronicling the development of the language and its repertoire over the last one hundred years. Audio files narrated by native speakers demonstrating the sounds are also included.Singing in Mandarin provides guidance for both novices and those with previous experience singing or speaking Mandarin and is the first book of its kind to help bring the fascinating and previously inaccessible treasure of Chinese vocal music to Western audiences.

Katherine Chu has worked as a performer, coach, assistant conductor, educator, and music administrator at the world's top opera houses and institutions. She is on the collaborative piano faculty at the Tianjin Juilliard School. Juliet Petrus is the leading Western interpreter of Chinese contemporary vocal music. She has had multi-city solo tours across China and soloist appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Chicago Symphony Center, National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing, Shanghai Symphony, and on national Chinese television.

Series Editor's Foreword Foreword Preface Part One: The Sounds of Mandarin Chinese 1. Common-Ground Consonants 2. Consonants in Uncharted Territory 3. Vowels 4. Diphthongs 5. Nasal Finals 6. Glides 7. Stylistic Concerns Part Two: Chinese Vocal Literature 8. Overview of Contemporary Chinese Vocal Literature 9. 1920s and 1930s: Three Pioneers 10. ?? HUANG Tzu 1904-1938 11. Mid-1930s to 1940s: Musical Patriots 12. 1950s to Mid-1960s: Ephemeral Prosperity 13. ??? DING Shande 1911-1995 14. Taiwan: The Quest of Identity and Repertoire Building 15. Hong Kong: Melting Pot and Musical Pluralism 16. Doyens of Opera and Art Song: ?? JIN Xiang and ??? LU Zaiyi 17. 1978 and Beyond: China's Renaissance of Musical Culture Appendix A: Chinese Pinyin Tables Appendix B: List of Musical Examples Appendix C: Chinese Poets Appendix D: Sources and Resources Bibliography