The Definition:

Yage( 雅歌 ), a new musical term, which is originated in the Chinese language, literally means  “Elegant Songs”. Being presented in the form of the Chinese art song, it is composed of the similar elements as Lieder and Chanson (or mélodie), namely the musical setting of Chinese poetry – the classical, the modern, and the contemporary poems written by generations of great poets. The essence of Yage is to express and convey the profound inner emotions and the true spiritual world of the poets through singing, aiming to provide the listeners with the meaning of the poems as well as the aesthetic beauty of the music. In the technical scope, Yage singing requires the mastery of the bel canto technique, combined with strictly regulated articulation of the Chinese pronunciation, to create a natural fusion of the bel canto technique, Lieder style, and the Chinese poetry. Yage is normally accompanied by a piano or a chamber ensemble.

The Development:     Continue reading →