Music · Jiangnan Sizhu · SE10032

Song of Joy

One of the Eight Great Pieces of Jiangnan sizhu, moving from a slow opening to a lively close

Introduction

Huan Le Ge (Song of Joy) is one of the Eight Great Pieces of Jiangnan sizhu, played around Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. It opens slowly and gradually speeds up, building a festive, joyful mood. The melody is bright and warm, with a clear rise and fall and a singing quality. In the past it was often played at temple fairs and other celebrations. The flautist Lu Chunling counted it among his representative works, and China Record issued a recording by him and fellow musicians in 1964.