Sijing Ten Treasures Fine Gong and Drum

Gong and drum art is a widely recognized form of folk instrumental performance in China, with a broad distribution across regions such as Hebei, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shanghai, Henan, Hubei, and others. Although the instruments used may vary from place to place, they mainly consist of loud percussion instruments like gongs, drums, cymbals, and others. The rhythm is often intense and distinct, and the performances are spectacular, characterized by grandiose and powerful energy, usually performed at various folk celebrations and ceremonial occasions.

Songjiang Ancient Opera Music is an ancient instrumental genre passed down in the folk tradition of Songjiang District in Shanghai. It originated from the "Ten Treasures" folk wind and percussion music of the Songjiang area during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli period. It merges different opera character segments, accompaniment (bridging music), and folk tunes in a medley format, creating a unique musical form and melody. Its representative work, "Ten Treasures Fine Gong and Drum," is mainly passed down by the "Yangchun Hall" performance group in Sijing Town, Songjiang, and has been handed down for seven generations, with a history of over three hundred years.

Songjiang Ancient Opera Music mainly evolved from opera music and folk tunes. It retains characteristics of opera music while integrating and transforming original opera and folk melodies from the perspective of musical structure, forming an independent musical style. The Sijing Ten Treasures Fine Gong and Drum has a distinctive artistic feature of soft and smooth Southern Kunqu Opera style. It is elegant, rather than boisterous, subtle, rather than rough, with a clear rhythm and strong sense of pace, showing intricate expression. This style stands in sharp contrast to typical gong and drum music. During the performance, one person often plays several instruments simultaneously, switching between gong and drum beats and silk and bamboo instruments, showcasing versatility. Even when playing traditional gong and drum music, multiple styles need to be mastered at the same time.

Songjiang Ancient Opera Music is an outstanding representative of ancient Wu opera, and the Sijing Ten Treasures Fine Gong and Drum is a living example that provides valuable insights into the in-depth study of ancient opera and folk music, including the original form of some opera music (including melody patterns), musical element arrangements, singing methods, and vocal techniques. However, with the rapid urbanization of suburban Shanghai, folk culture and traditional arts are slowly fading from people's view. As the older generation of artists ages and fewer new practitioners emerge, the future of the Sijing Ten Treasures Fine Gong and Drum is uncertain, and urgent protective measures are needed.