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How did the Chinese government reshape folk music during the Communist period?
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Chinese music
Twelve pitches of Chinese music as produced by overblowing the lü, bamboo tuning pipes (starting for ease of comparison from Western C).
During the Communist period, the Chinese government fundamentally reshaped folk music to align with Marxist ideology and the principles of Socialist Realism.1
The state-led transformation involved several key strategies:
- Institutionalization: The government established provincial and national research institutes to collect and study regional music, integrating these traditions into primary, advanced, and Western music education.1
- Reconstruction of Form: Folk music was shifted from its traditionally individualistic nature into collective formats, such as large choruses or folk orchestras.1
- Thematic Alignment: The lyrical content of regional songs was rewritten to reflect socialist life, local industrial accomplishments, and praise for Mao Zedong and the Communist party.1
- Standardization: While regional styles and traditional instruments were often preserved, many songs were arranged in Western-style formats for public use.1
The government justified these changes by asserting that music must reflect the views and aspirations of the masses. This effort increased public awareness of diverse local traditions, albeit through a lens of state-sanctioned ideological reconstruction.1