Music from the Four Frontiers
Selections 1
According to the Music Chronicles, Emperor Taizong of Qing (i.e., Hong Taiji, reigned 1636–1643) officially incorporated Korean music into court banquet music, including the di, guan, and pai drum (a small drum suspended by a yellow silk ribbon around the neck). This drum is said to be described in Du You’s Comprehensive Institutions as a Korean musical instrument.
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Korean Court Music and Dance
In Yüezhi, Yüeqi (Music Chronicles, Musical Instruments), Vol. 5
Compiled by Yu Kun, revised by compilation official Lai Jixi
State Historiography Institute edition, Qing dynasty
故史002484 -
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Drum (Korean Court Music and Dance Instruments)
In Huangchao Liqi Tushi (Illustrated Compendium of Imperial Ritual Vessels), Vol. 9
Compiled on imperial order by Yunlu et al.
Wuying Palace edition
1766, Qing dynasty
故殿024315 -
Selections 2
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New Year’s Eve Musical Performance Proposal
Xianfeng period (1851–1862), Qing dynasty
故宮135826New Year’s Eve banquets were held in the Hall of Preserving Harmony, where foreign vassals, Mongolian princes, and other nobles were invited. A surviving performance list for such banquets, prepared by nine administrative and musical offices—including the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Music, Mongolian Music Bureau, Jianrui Battalion, and Firearms Division—was submitted to Emperor Xianfeng (reigned 1850–1861) for review. The emperor marked his selection, which included: Korean pai music, Gurkha music, fine Burmese music, Manchu music, and Mongolian music. Among non-musical performances, only the guanjiao wrestling event, staged by the Shanpu Battalion, was selected. Guanjiao wrestling was a form of wrestling akin to modern-day sumo wrestling for showcasing martial prowess.
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Selections 3
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Horse Herding Song
Combined Manchu, Mongolian and Chinese Score for Reed Pipe Music
In Jiagu Yüezhang I (Reed Drum Music I), album
Qing dynasty
故書000275Reed pipe music was one of the key musical traditions of Mongolian origin within the Qing court. The musical instruments used in reed pipe music performances included hujia, huqin, kouqin, and liuxianzheng. This Combined Manchu, Mongolian and Chinese Score for Reed Pipe Music includes dozens of pieces such as the “Herding Song,” “Ancient Melody,” and “Wish-Fulfilling Jewel,” each introduced by a prelude and notated using the gongche notation, a traditional Chinese notation system.
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Selections 4
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Komuz (Musical Instrument)
In Huangchao Liqi Tushi (Illustrated Compendium of Imperial Ritual Vessels), Vol. 9
Compiled on imperial order by Yunlu et al.
Wuying Palace edition
1766, Qing dynasty
故殿024315Komuz, shibang (a music performance), wrestling, and horse training display were known as the “four entertainment of the frontier banquet,” referring to court entertainment held during imperial banquets at the frontiers. “Shibang” is a Mongolian musical form. It is referenced in a poem by Song dynasty poet Yang Wanli: “The full ensemble of long flutes and waist drums, a spring tune rising beyond the frontier.” During the Qing dynasty, a Shibang Office was established under the Ministry of Music to manage Mongolian music performances in the Qing court. Musical instruments used in shibang performances included jia, guan, zheng, pipa, xian, ruan, and komuz.
Komuz is a string instrument categorized under plucked string instruments today. Shaped like a small pipa, it features a straight neck and four strings. According to the Illustrated Compendium of Imperial Ritual Vessels, it was one of the principal musical instruments used in ethnic ensemble banquets.
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