The Representation of Minority Elements in Modern Chinese Piano Works and their Interpretation in Performance

Abstract

China, with its vast ethnic diversity, provides an inexhaustible resource for the evolution of Chinese music. This diversity, notably the interweaving of minority ethnic cultures with the dominant Han Chinese culture, has significantly influenced the development of Chinese piano works. These compositions often manifest a distinctive blend of Chinese musical elements and Western composition techniques, a testament to the increasing cultural exchange. Although previous research has examined this fusion in Chinese piano compositions, it has often failed to sufficiently integrate performance perspectives into the analysis of the works. Consequently, these studies tend to provide generalized results and remain relatively inaccessible due to language barriers. This research seeks to address these gaps by analyzing Chinese piano pieces from the performer's perspective. It specifically focuses on the incorporation and interpretation of minority elements within select piano compositions. The piano, as an instrument inherently rooted in Western tradition, offers an unparalleled platform for intertwining elements of Chinese minority music within the framework of contemporary piano compositional techniques. This research strives to understand the implications of this amalgamation from the viewpoint of the performer, thereby shedding light on the embodiment of minority elements in these works. Exploring the minority integration in the repertoire not only stimulates continuous innovation in Chinese piano music but also offers a broader understanding of this unique cultural fusion. This study aims to make a significant contribution to this relatively unexplored territory in the field of musicology.