1 - Dialogue of Fisherman and Woodsman
The work first appeared in an ancient score in 1560. Opinions vary on the interpre¬tation of this ancient song. But that doesn’t prevent the song from being popular. It has long been favored by musicians for its ancient and unrestrained style, as well as the euphemistic lyric and easy elegance in it.
2 - Memories of an Old Friend
The work was first published in fin Yu Qin Kan (1937, an academic guqin journal), also known as Memory of Friends in the Mountains. This song is delicate in tone and mellow in flavor, expressing the deep yearning for friends with repeated melody.
3 - Wild Geese on the Sandbank
This song is also referred to as The Sandbank. The music score first appeared in an ancient score in 1634. Since its publication, it has been loved by different genre of musicians and widely circulated with various versions. It is one of the most widely transmitted music pieces. The song describes the scenery of the sparse autumn. Birds hovering in the air is a metaphor to write the magnanimity of Chinese literati.
4 - Soaring Dragons
This work first appeared in an ancient score in 1686. It is a representative work of the Guangling School (a major school in Chinese guqin art, originated from Jiangsu Province). Such works usually take the legend of Wang Zhaojun as background to reflect the bitterness of the heroin’s sorrow. However, according to the predecessor’s performances, no such deep sorrow was present, rather, the work mirrored a state of mind that pursues for the philosophy of spiritual freedom.
5- Flowing Water
Recorded in the music score in 1876, it’s said to be a famous music of the Spring and Autumn period in Chinese history. The music depicts the scene of water flowing from small streams into the surging rivers and the sea, expressing the admiration and love for China. This song is well-known and widely spread due to its close connection with the legend of Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi in the same period.
6 - Plum Blossom Melody
This is an ancient guqin music with beautiful and smooth melody, in an elegant and unique form. Through the description of plum blossom, it praises the noble character of Chinese literati and has high artistic value. Its composer Huan Yi is a great General at the battle of Fei River in 383, which is considered to be one of the most significant battles in the history of China.
7 - Boatmen’s Chant
Ao Ai is the sound of rowing, commonly known as Boatmen’s Chant. The famous poet Liu Zongyuan in the Tang Dynasty wrote a poem about the scenery on the river. The artistic conception in the poetry is similar with this traditional song.
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