Xiao Youmei: Interpreting Patriotic Sentiment Through Music
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/ma1vhn37Keywords:
Xiao Youmei, Musical Composition, History of Modern Chinese MusicAbstract
As a founder of modern Chinese music education, Xiao Youmei’s lifelong work vividly exemplifies a musician’s patriotic sentiment. This article explores this theme from three perspectives: the origins of patriotic thought, the artistic expression of patriotism, and the passing on of patriotic sentiment. The roots of Xiao Youmei’s patriotic sentiment lie in the concept of ‘family and nation’ rooted in traditional Confucian education and the inspiration drawn from Sun Yat-sen’s democratic revolutionary ideology, which spurred him to become a patriotic intellectual. Furthermore, as a musician, Xiao Youmei’s advocacy of the ‘music to save the nation’ philosophy ensured that music education and musical practice remained firmly grounded in the foundations of traditional Chinese musical culture. Finally, Xiao Youmei’s patriotic spirit exerted a profound influence on the development of modern and contemporary Chinese music, nurturing a cohort of outstanding patriotic musicians. By inextricably linking musical art with the nation’s destiny, Xiao Youmei set an example for modern music practitioners; through his character as a musician who served his country through his profession, he has become a precious spiritual legacy in the history of modern and contemporary Chinese music.
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