The evolution of piano education in twentieth-century China with emphasis on Shanghai and Beijing conservatories.

摘要

Many brilliant Chinese pianists distinguished themselves on international concert stages since China opened its door to the West in the late 1970s. Being isolated both politically and culturally from the Western world for decades, how did Chinese musicians succeed in the pursuit of Western music? How were they trained? These questions became the main motivation for the current research.; The purpose of the study is to trace the evolution of piano education since 1927, the year China saw the establishment of its first professional music institution—the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The chapters are organized chronologically.; The dissertation starts with a brief account of the introduction of Western music and modern piano into China. As cradles for the musicians, the two principal conservatories are the focal points of this paper. Their establishment and the evolution, incorporated with their system and curriculum, are explored throughout the paper.; Political movements and wars that closely affected the development of piano education in China are presented to portray the social environment and living condition of the musicians and the survival of the music institution. During China's isolation from the West, Russians were the major musical influence to the Chinese musicians. Since China resumed its diplomatic and cultural exchanges with the West in 1978, Chinese musicians are exposed to new perspectives and innovative methods of teaching. Foreign influences that are crucial to the evolution of piano education are discussed in different sections of the study.; First and second-generation Chinese piano teachers were the main forces in the field of piano education. Biographical information of the major piano pedagogues from each generation and an insight view on their teaching philosophies were obtained through personal interviews and written documents.; Cultural exchanges with the West brought about important realizations to the music educational system. Recommendations on the further advancement of piano education in China are offered by leading Chinese pedagogues in the concluding chapter.