MUZI MUZIChinese Matrix

Danxian and Paiziqu (Linked-Tune Ballads)

Tune after tune, linked into a story

Introduction

Ballads sung as suites of linked tunes, led by Beijing's danxian

Paiziqu are sung quyi forms built by linking a string of named tunes between an opening and a closing tune. The main members are Danxian (V-49), Lanzhou guzi (V-24), Datiao quzi (V-69), Hubei xiaoqu (V-70), Qinghai pingxian (V-92) and Hezhou pingxian (V-113). The lead form, Beijing danxian, grew out of the octagonal-drum songs and chaqu of Manchu banner youths: the singer stands and beats the octagonal drum while a partner plays the sanxian, and the Nishang xupu of 1795 already prints 148 chaqu. The regional members drew on Ming and Qing popular tunes, and Beijing quju opera was built mainly on danxian.

Timeline

Qianlong reign of the Qing to present
1795 · OriginThe Nishang xupu, printed in Beijing in 1795, contains 148 chaqu, the earliest printed collection of the songs behind danxian and the earliest firmly dated source for the paiziqu family.1930 · EvolutionFrom the 1930s Datiao quzi, which grew from the guziqu of Kaifeng, flourished in the Nanyang area of Henan.1952 · EvolutionIn 1952 Lao She named the 'quyi play' built mainly on danxian 'Beijing quju', carrying danxian tunes onto the opera stage.2008 · ImpactIn 2008 Danxian paiziqu (with chaqu, V-49), Datiao quzi, Hubei xiaoqu and Qinghai pingxian entered the second national list; Lanzhou guzi had entered in 2006, Hezhou pingxian followed in 2011, and Tianjin was added to danxian in 2021.
  1. 1795OriginThe Nishang xupu, printed in Beijing in 1795, contains 148 chaqu, the earliest printed collection of the songs behind danxian and the earliest firmly dated source for the paiziqu family.
  2. 1930EvolutionFrom the 1930s Datiao quzi, which grew from the guziqu of Kaifeng, flourished in the Nanyang area of Henan.
  3. 1952EvolutionIn 1952 Lao She named the 'quyi play' built mainly on danxian 'Beijing quju', carrying danxian tunes onto the opera stage.
  4. 2008ImpactIn 2008 Danxian paiziqu (with chaqu, V-49), Datiao quzi, Hubei xiaoqu and Qinghai pingxian entered the second national list; Lanzhou guzi had entered in 2006, Hezhou pingxian followed in 2011, and Tianjin was added to danxian in 2021.

Heritage Listings

  1. 2006National list1st batch · V-24 Lanzhou guzi · no. 260 · nominated by Lanzhou · Gansu
  2. 2008National List of Representative Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage2nd batch · V-49 Danxian paiziqu [with chaqu] · no. 742 · nominated by Beijing Song and Dance Theatre Co. and Xicheng District · Beijing
  3. 2008National list2nd batch · V-69 Datiao quzi · no. 762 · nominated by Nanyang · Henan
  4. 2008National list2nd batch · V-70 Hubei xiaoqu · no. 763 · nominated by Wuhan · Hubei
  5. 2008National list2nd batch · V-92 Qinghai pingxian · no. 785 · nominated by Xining · Qinghai
  6. 2011National list3rd batch · V-113 Hezhou pingxian · no. 1137 · nominated by Linxia · Gansu
  7. 2021National list extension5th batch · V-49 Danxian paiziqu [with chaqu] · Tianjin