MAIN STAGES OF THE EVOLUTION OF MUSICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN CHINESE AND WESTERN MUSICAL TRADITIONS

Abstract

The research reveals that the evolution of Chinese musical culture is characterized by exceptional internal resourcefulness and a readiness for continuous renewal, imparting unique resilience and self-sufficiency to this culture. Simultaneously, it exhibits a gentle adaptability and the ability to evolve through the influence of “other” cultures. The primary focus of the study was on examining the impact of the West on Chinese music, leading to a significant interest in various musical genres in 21st-century Chinese society. A key issue explored in the study was the identification of effective ways to integrate Western and Eastern influences in music, catalyzing the evolution of Chinese musical art. In the course of the investigation into the evolution of Chinese musical culture, a pivotal moment in the Western influence on Chinese music was identified with the development of the “Self-Strengthening Movement”. This movement, ideologically preparing the ground for the “School Song Movement”, marked the inception of a new type of music lessons and the genre of “yuege” songs. Specifically, the analysis identified pathways through which Western musical art influenced Chinese music, impacting culture, education, and religion in China. Missionary and vocal schools played a crucial role in this process, facilitating active adaptation and assimilation of Western musical elements. Missionary schools acted as intermediaries between cultures, fostering mutual understanding and the exchange of musical ideas. Vocal schools, in turn, focused on the development of vocal mastery, enriching the Chinese vocal repertoire and adapting it to Western standards. Consequently, the research highlighted the significant contribution of missionary and vocal schools to the integration of Western musical experience into Chinese musical tradition, fostering the multifaceted development of Chinese musical art within the global dialogue of musical cultures.