Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Traditional music
sound archives
Inscribed 1997
What is it
The most comprehensive collection of Chinese
traditional music in existence, comprising ancient
Chinese musical scores, manuscripts, instruments,
photographs and sound materials.
Why was it inscribed
The archive is the result of years of systematic recording
in the field in almost all provinces and regions of
the country, covering the traditional music of more
than fifty nationalities or cultural groups. As Chinese
musical heritage was generally transmitted orally,
the recordings allow access to music stretching back
through the generations.
Where is it
Music Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Arts,
Beijing, China
The archive is the richest and most comprehensive
collection of Chinese music not only in China but also in
the world. Chinese music scholars working in the field
since 1950 have gathered most of the recorded material
systematically, working in all regions of the country.
Folk musicians and other holders of recordings have
also recorded and gifted material. In all, there are more
than 7000 hours of recordings in the archive as well as
around 2000 musical instruments, 40,000 records of
Chinese and foreign music, 50,000 photographs and
150,000 books on music and music scores.
The collection includes ancient songs, folk songs,
quyi (musical storytelling), local opera, religious music,
song-and-dance music, instrumentals, modern songs,
operas and ballets, regional music, Chinese music played
on Western instruments and sound recordings related
to music, such as speeches, introductions and discussions.
Many of the recordings are of folk rituals or folk religious
rituals rather than performance music, making them
irreplaceable expressions of the culture of the people.
Notable highlights of the archive include drum music
from the Northwest China region of Xi’an, home of the
terracotta warriors. Music from monks of the Zhi Hua
502 Traditional music sound archives
Temple, founded in 1446, includes religious chants thought
to date back more than 300 years. From the Xinjiang
region, instrumental music, song and dance collectively
known as the Twelve Mukam was gathered from the region
of the Silk Road.
Qin music is among the most valued parts of the
collection. The qin is a string instrument, thousands of
years old and revered in Chinese music. Learning to play
the qin was part of traditional education and the Institute
has several hundred hours of recordings of traditional
qin music. Local opera, another characteristic Chinese
art form, is well represented, as are folk songs from
every region.