Guqin - Qiu Shui 《龝水》 [Autumn Water] 1

Qiu Shui 《龝水》, meaning "Autumn Water", is also known as Shenhua Yin 《神化引》 ("Becoming an Immortal" or "Metamorphosis"). The melody is based on Zhuang Zi's story of dreaming he was a butterfly and questioning whether he was dreaming of the butterfly, or was the butterfly dreaming of him. This piece has a feeling of emptiness and transcendance of emotion. It is what is called 'dan' or tasteless, plain, pure, without embelishment and captures the moment when one becomes a celestial being, removed from worldly pleasures and desires.

The version I now play is from the Tianwen Ge Qinpu 【天聞閣琴譜】 (1876), transcribed by Zeng Chengwei. Musically, it is similar to the piece Longxiang Cao 《龍翔操》 [Soaring Dragons]. I've also recorded and uploaded an updated version of this piece after learning it properly from Zeng Chengwei.

Wearing the gown of an officer and the hood and cap of a Fellow of the Xi Kang Qin Society (FXKQS).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• guqin
• gu
• qin
• 古琴
• qiu
• shui
• 龝水
• autumn
• water
• 神化引
• charlie
• zither
• chinese
• music
• instrument

[jts1702a]

Learning this piece now, and noticed that you really strip down on the ornamentation. Maybe this helps with memorizing the piece?

And yeah. Playing the upper register is a b****. It HURTS dragging around 2.5 >.<

[jts1702a]

@SCWguqin Watch out. Charlie learned this off Zeng Chengwei, and the phrases are QUITE altered from what the original 1840's score (like what should've been last note of a sentence became first of the next).

[GuoYunshen]

A very nice performance!

I disagree with those who have criticized you. saying that performers of classical Chinese music should wear traditional robes or costumes.

By that logic, all modern performers who play Beethoven or Mozart should dress in powdered wigs, tights, and waistcoats.

Performances of classical music (Eastern or Western) should be about the music itself- which is timeless, not about looking like a street performer at a theme park.

[Viohead]

I love the sound of an unnacompanied Guqin, its incredible

[SanguoYiZhi]

I agree, Guqin performers should wear Hanfu when performing

[SanguoYiZhi]

Keep up the Good Work!

[Gashaponcito]

where can i get a Guqin =/

[SCWguqin]

Hey Charlie - have you figured out how this piece relates to Long Xiang Cao? Certain parts are obviously the same as sections of LXC, just with different rhythms and Sichuan flare. But they appear to be broken up throughout the piece...I'll have to investigate this. The Guangling LXC, by the way, is a joyride rollercoaster. Very different musically from Qiu Shui, but I guess their Daoisty subject matter is ultimately the same.

[Bancaer]

What you wear and how you look like has exactly nothing to do with the music! The guqin is a musical instrument, not a museum. Old Charlie can play it in the buff if he likes (please don't, though).

[itsme61]

why don't the guqin (and guzheng) performers wear appropriate Chinese Han robes when playing these ancient instruments? Somehow the classical ambience is missing when performers are dressed in various western garb and Manchu costumes.

Somehow Japanese and Korean musicians understand how to create the mood by dressing correctly, which Chinese fail to do.