| 英文摘要 |
This article analyzes the complex relationships between instrumental accompaniment and vocal performance in“Shiju,”a popular musical genre of the early Qing dynasty. With a rich repertoire of over 20 plays, including notable examples like Sifan (Longing for a Worldly Life), Seng Ni Hui (Meeting Between the Monk and Nun, also known as Xiashan, Going Down the Mountain), and Zhaojun, the genre has been continuously performed from its inception to the present day. This study uses the piece Xiao Meizi (Little Sister) as a case example to examine the use of“non-verbal instrumental accompaniment,”with special attention to“Pintou”and“Jietou,”compositional techniques where instrumental passages take precedence over the vocal lines. These instrumental interludes are categorized into four distinct types based on their duration:“Pintou”(or“Guowen”), which can be as brief as two notes;“Suijie,”which extends its length to one or two measures;“Jietou”(or“Daguowen”), which is typically longer than two measures; and“Heshou,”referring specifically to the opening instrumental section that precedes the entrance of the vocal text. These instrumental passages serve both structural and aesthetic functions. As they are often the first musical notes to start the plays, they set the tone (“Liangdiao”) and create the impression of the work for the audience. Throughout the performance, they also flexibly fill the musical interstices, functioning as decorative and improvisational elements. The prominence of these instrumental passages reflects a broader stylistic trend that highlights the expressive capabilities of non-verbal instrumental accompaniment musical passages. |