Yin yue za zhi = 音樂襍誌

Yin Yue Za Zhi 音樂雜誌 (Music Magazine, RIPM code YYZ) is considered to be one of the earliest academic music periodicals published and circulated in contemporary China. It was initiated and produced by the Music Research Association of Peking University 北京大學音樂研究會 in 1920-1921. Two volumes, totaling 20 issues are preserved today, through additional issues may have been published, as indicated in the final issue of 1921, though copies of these could not be located. Generally published monthly, it paused during the summer break. The contributors to and readers of the journal included teachers, students, staff affiliated with the university, along with a limited number of independent scholars. Greatly influenced by the New Culture Movement新文化運動, starting in 1915, Yin Yue Za Zhi is a pioneering publication devoted to music improvement and education. Its contents include articles on traditional Chinese music, Western music, comparative music studies, translated Western works, and scores of original and rearranged compositions.

The journal demonstrated the learning progress of early Chinese music periodical publishing, where we can see continuous improvement in content and formats across its publication run. The earlier issues contained more articles written in classical Chinese 文言文 (read vertically from right to left) and poetry which was less directly related to music. Later articles appeared in more often in written vernacular Chinese 白話文 (read horizontally from left to right), and more music scores were accepted and published. The renowned educator Cai Yuanpei蔡元培, President of Peking University, provided an endorsement and wrote an inscription for the journal. The editors, major article contributors, and core members of the research association include many university professors and musicians, such as Wang Lu 王露, Chen Zhongzi 陳仲子, Yang Zhaoshu 楊昭恕, Zhang Tiemin 章鐵民, Xiao Youmei 蕭友梅, Li Rongshou 李榮壽, Feng Liang 馮梁, and Liu Tingzhi 劉廷芝. The well-known music reformer, educator, and musician Liu Tianhua 劉天華also briefly contributed.

Yin Yue Za Zhi first published the version of the national anthem of the Republic of China, composed by Xiao Youmei and employed from 1921 to 1928, Song to the Auspicious Cloud 卿雲歌. In addition, Xiao Youmei also published a series of Western music theory articles in fifteen chapters throughout 11 issues entitled “Basics of Harmony” 和聲學綱要. (Chapters 11-12 are missing from the index due to missing pages in the extant copies of the journal.) Other substantial articles include “Music Teaching Method” 音樂教授法 by Chen Zhongzi, “Physical Basis of Music” 音樂的物理基礎 by Zhang Tiemin, and “General Music Theory” 普通樂理 by Xiao Youmei, each of which were all serialized in many issues. These articles discussed topics such as Western music systems, principles of sound generation, and Chinese musical philosophies in detail.

Scores are also a significant feature of this periodical, including those notated in staff, numbered, and Gongche notation 工尺譜. Among these, the Yuhexuan Pipa Scores 玉鶴軒琵琶譜 collected and arranged by Wang Lu has become an essential reference for modern research on traditional pipa music. In addition to publishing some newly written short pieces, one of the most valuable parts of this journal is the preservation of many Chinese folk music works, mainly recorded by Li Rongshou and Chen Hou’an 陳厚菴.

Yin Yue Za Zhi promoted the exchange and development of music within China. Included are many articles concerning scholarly discussions between different music associations and educational institutions around China, such as the Music Research Association of Chongqing 重慶音樂研究會, Music Research Association of Henan First Normal School 河南第一師範學校音樂研究會, as well as columns for dialogues between readers and authors.

Volume I of this RIPM Index was prepared from a copy of the journal held by Harvard-Yenching Library. Volume II was prepared from a copy from Quan Guo Bao Kan Suo Yin (CNBKSY) 全国报刊索引. Missing pages in Vol II, issues 5 through 7, could not be located elsewhere.