Category: Chinese

A friend of the channel mentioned a Chinese opera record I had posted ages ago (which you can see at https://youtu.be/3Pnx_tH2JXc ) and asked if I had any others.

These two sides from a Cantonese Opera (粤曲) feature vocals by Chen Fengqi (陳鳳歧) who performs a young gentleman role (小生 or xiao sheng). This role generally appears beardless with pale skin and projects a male character who is seen as young, handsome and winsome. In some genres of Chinese opera, the xiao sheng role is played by a female actress.

The title of the opera (義援釵之思憶) seems to translate as “Memories of Yiyuan Chai”. Both sides of this record, parts 1 and 2, are included in this video. It is likely that there may have been one, two, or three additional records containing other pieces from this opera. Unfortunately, I only have the one.

Not completely certain on recording date – though 1925 appears on the label. If anyone has better intel on these Beka releases let me know.

This Beka disc is in very nice condition – most of the others in my collection are rather scuffed and scratched up. It’s wonderful to hear this intriguing music so clearly!

Released as Beka 22151 / 22152.

A Chinese folk song from 福州 (Fuzhou). The title translates to “One Plum Blossom Branch”.

In Chinese culture, the plum blossom is a symbol of resilience and perseverance, as it blooms in the cold winter.

Recorded circa 1932.
Released as 百代唱片 55013b (matrix A504).
百代唱片 was the Chinese Pathé label.

合奏
李君澜平、李君琇如、刘君源沂、吴君秉贤

A Chinese folk song from 福州 (Fuzhou). The title seems to reveal a song about fragrant incense.

Viewer @dbadagna notes the key of this tune is A-flat diao (a little flat) and that “As there are no loud wind instruments or percussion, maybe this can be considered xi shifan (细十番) music of Fuzhou. This recording provides valuable documentation of qupai (曲牌, labeled tune) performance in sizhu (丝竹, silk and bamboo) style from a part of China whose musical traditions have received comparatively little scholarly attention, and the music heard in this recording probably shows great continuity with ensemble performance practice as handed down from the Qing Dynasty (17th-19th centuries), during which time such music enjoyed huge popularity.”

Recorded circa 1932.
Released as 百代唱片 55013 A (matrix A503).
百代唱片 was the Chinese Pathé label.

合奏
李君澜平、李君琇如、刘君源沂、吴君秉贤

A prewar Chinese disc I recently picked up in very nice condition. I’m no expert on this music, but here is what I was able to piece together about it:

The content is a Chinese folk ensemble playing a three six (三六) piece, one of the “eight great pieces” (八大曲) in a type of traditional Chinese music called Jiangnan sizhu (江南丝竹).

The label attributes the music to Lü Wencheng (吕文成) and Yin Zizhong (尹自重), two of the “four heavenly kings” of Cantonese music.

Yin Zizhong was a Cantonese violinist who emigrated to the U.S. in 1961 and lived in San Francisco and Boston, where he died in 1985.

Lü Wencheng was a Cantonese opera actor, musician, and composer who could play a variety of instruments. He was also a craftsman of musical instruments who was credited with helping to invent the Gaohu – a treble erhu with a clear and bright tone.

LIkely recorded in Hong Kong circa 1929-1930.
Released as New Moon 5884

Both sides of the record (頭段 and 二段) are included in this video.

Please let me know if you have any information to add (or corrections to what I have written).

Sides 1-4 of a Chaoju (Teochew Opera 潮剧) recorded approximately 1931.
Odeon A 227162 – made in Germany.

Chaoju (潮剧, Teochew opera)

Translation help appreciated! ^_^
潮音
中一枝香
韓廷美當火頭軍
花旦嬋鳳花旦一鳴
德國造

雙飛蝴蝶 = “Two Butterflies Flying Together”
Cantonese Opera interlude.
No performer is listed.
Likely recorded in NYC in November of 1919.
Released as Columbia E4506.

(Yue Lao capture the thousand years old dragon Part 9)

烏衫(female role) and 老丑(clown role) are difficult to decipher.

Troupe is Lao Sai Bao Feng (老賽寶豐), also known as Lao Sai Bao Feng Ban (老賽寶豐班).

Beka B.19856 V and VI
Mx 104442
78 rpm record

A US-made Chinese record that was recorded sometime between 1925 – 1930 on the Beka label, which was acquired by Columbia in 1926.

The vocalist Liu Siu Hei (劉笑希) is accompanied by a small trio (or quartet?) of flutes and percussion performing the song “雙星下卷機關被困” from a Cantonese opera.

A lovely little tune that I wish I knew more about!

Viewer @dbadagna reports the key: D diao (a little flat) and that “One of the leading instruments in the accompanying ensemble seems to be a houguan (喉管), which is a double-reed pipe, and I think there is also at least one huqin (胡琴, vertical fiddle).”