The repertoire of the instrument qin (pronounced “chin”), or guqin (ancient qin), embodies China’s three major religious-philosophical systems of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. A major tenet in Confucianism lists five cardinal human relationships, of which the one between friends is a prominent theme in the qin repertoire. I shall discuss and play three pieces with the theme of Friendship:
Flowing Waters (Liushui 流水), from a 1425 notation collection
Magpies Cry in the Night (Wuyeti 烏夜啼), from the same 1425 notation collection
Parting at Yangguan (Yangguan Sandie 陽關三疊), from a 1491 notation collection

Bell Yung began studying the qin in 1978 with Tsar Teh-yun (1905-2007) and two years later with Yao Bingyan (1920-1983), and has since lectured and performed on many university campuses and museums. He has published two books: Celestial Airs of Antiquity (1997) on the repertory of his teacher Yao, and The Last of China’s Literati (2008), a biography of his teacher Tsar. He has also published numerous articles on the subject, and produced and performed in a compact disc Qin Music on Antique Instruments (1998), and edited an exhibition catalogue Gems of Ancient Chinese Zithers (1998).