The Yellow River in Music

This book explores Yellow River-themed music alongside a rich body of corresponding literature, spanning from ancient times to the present. Drawing on cultural historical narratives, it bridges the fields of musicology, literary studies and history, offering a fresh perspective on how the Yellow River has been imagined and represented across diverse musical and intellectual traditions. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the book seeks to deepen our understanding of the Yellow River's enduring symbolic power and significance within Chinese history and culture. It also examines the role of music in shaping historical discourse, promoting social and ethical values, expressing philosophical thought, and nurturing both cultural and national identity among the Chinese.

Lu Zhouxiang is Associate Professor within the School of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, Ireland.

Chapter 1 Introduction Yellow River-themed music and literature Structure Chapter 2 From Antiquity to the Tang dynasty The pre-Qin period: Yu the Great, the river god and Book of Poetry Han dynasty Music Bureau Military-themed lyric poetry in the Three Kingdoms period Northern and Southern dynasties: 'The Ballad of Mulan' and 'Yellow River Runs Clear' The Tang golden age of poetry: The Yellow River comes from the sky Conclusion Chapter 3 The Song, Jin and Yuan dynasties The Song dynasty: Zaju, narrative singing and Ci lyrics The Jin dynasty: The Yellow River and ethnic integration The Yuan dynasty: 'The Yellow River will one day run clear' Conclusion Chapter 4 The Ming and Qing golden age of folk song and drama The Ming dynasty The early and high Qing period The late Qing period: Yellow River, nationalism and revolution Conclusion Chapter 5 The Republic of China Era: Defend the Yellow River Five races, one union, by the great rivers and mountains The new culture movement - new dramas, new songs The May Fourth Movement: 'Rivers and mountains in tears' The March 18 Massacre and the Jinan Incident: 'The Hard Road' The Japanese invasion of Manchuria: 'Enemies approaching the Yellow River' The War of Resistance against Japan: 'Defend the Yellow River' The civil war: 'Crimson River' Conclusion Chapter 6 The Socialist Era: Transform the Yellow River 'Ode to the Motherland' 'We must transform the Yellow River' Yellow River Cantata - revolutionary classic and diplomatic tool The Anti-Rightist Campaign and the Great Leap Forward: 'Shake Mountains and Rivers' 'Follow me! Let's cross the Yellow River!' The cultural revolution The post-cultural revolution Era: The fall of Yellow River Piano Concerto Conclusion Chapter 7 The Era of reform and opening-up: The Yellow River flows into the ocean The 1980s: The Great Wall never falls, The Yellow River rolls on The 1990s: The Yellow River flows into the ocean The 21st century: The Yellow River is our home Conclusion Conclusion: The Yellow River, music and identity The Yellow River and the making of cultural identity in dynastic China The Yellow River, music and the formation of modern China