Wang Peichen

Wang Peichen (1902-1964), Tiepian Dagu performer, (it was called "Laeting Dagu" at that time, but it was different from Laeting Dagu near Tangshan, Hebei) . She was a key figure in the formation and development of the iron drum and the founder of the iron drum art that is popular today.

Chinese name: Wang Peichen

Nationality: Chinese

Birthplace: Tongzhou, Beijing

Date of birth: 1902

Date of death: 1964

Occupation: Tiepian Dagu performer

Representative works: Monopoly Oiran, Yu Tangchun

Main achievements: Tiepian Dagu performing arts The founder of

Biography

Wang Peichen learned singing from his father at the age of eight. He also learned singing from the famous master Wang Xianzhang. He first sang Pinggu tune, and later changed to iron drum. At the age of ten, he went to Beijing with his father to earn a living as an entertainer. Under his real name, Che Xiaogui, he first worked in Dong'an Market, then performed at temple fairs such as Longfu Temple and Huguo Temple, and performed at Tianqiao. At the age of 13, he started working on the docks in Tongzhou, Tianjin and some cities in Hebei Province. When he first came to Tianjin, he made no achievements. In 1923, Wang came to Tianjin again, first performing at the Beiyang Tea House on Beima Road and the Yishun Tea Garden behind Hou's house. He took his husband's surname Wang and started his career as Wang Peichen. In 1926, he entered the New World Tea Room in Tianxiang Market, and later entered the singing and dancing group, performing on the stage with Liu Baoquan, Jin Wanchang, Zhang Shouchen and others. In early 1928, due to warlord fighting, artists left Tianjin one after another. Wang Peichen also went to Shenyang and other places to perform with Liu Baoquan and his entourage. He returned to Tianjin in 1929 and performed in Zhangyuan, Taoyuan, Quanyechang Amusement Park, Zhongyuan Company Amusement Park, Tianqing Teahouse, Beiyang Teahouse, etc. In the early 1930s, Wang Peichen entered his artistic heyday. In the spring of 1932, in a public voting event held by the Tianjin Greater China Newspaper, she was selected as one of the "Three Outstanding Female Drummers" together with Hua Sibao and Zhao Xiaofu. She continued to improve her singing and became more sophisticated in her art. In the mid-1930s, together with Liu Baoquan and Jin Wanchang, she was hailed as one of the "Three Wonders in the Drumming World" by the audience. Although she was never called the "Wang Pai", her singing was loved by the public, and her style had actually already been formed. It has its own genre and has a huge influence. In 1935, he served as a member of the drum and book section of the Yiqu Reform Society together with Liu Baoquan, Bai Yunpeng, Rong Jianchen, Zhao Xiaofu, Lao Wagua and others. After the "July 7th Incident", Wang Peichen took a break from acting and returned to his hometown. He returned to Tianjin in 1938 and performed in Tianqing. However, due to his hobbies, his voice was not as good as before. In 1939, he was invited by Beijing Halfei Tea Club to perform in Beijing and worked hard. He cheered up and won the welcome of the Beijing audience again. Not only did he regain his old style, but his reputation grew. In 1940, she returned to Tianjin with Bai Yunpeng and others, and entered the Yanle Juggling Park to perform, ranking in the bottom three, and broadcasting on a special radio station.

At the beginning of liberation, he joined the Hongfeng Folk Art Club and later merged into the Tianjin Folk Art Troupe. Wang Peichen established an important artistic genre and rapidly expanded the influence of this genre. It can be said that Wang Peichen was the founder of the later popular iron drum art.

After liberation, Wang Peichen’s Laoting drum was renamed Tiepian drum to distinguish it from the Laoting drum produced in Leting County, Tangshan (represented by Jin Wenran). However, for decades, it still included business It is called Leting Dagu in various occasions including performance announcements.

Artistic Style

The Tiepian Dagu sung by Wang Peichen, formerly known as Laeting Dagu or Tiepian Laeting Dagu, mainly sings long books. She can sing "Zhu Maichen" "Divorcing Wife", "The Story of the Western Tang Dynasty", "Gaoliang Rushing Water", "Book Bag Strategy", "Iron Crown Picture" and many other "Manzihuo". What really makes her famous is the short stories she reformed. Her masterpieces include "Exclusively Holding the Courtesan", "Three Court Trials", "The Little Widow Visits the Grave", "Jiang Taigong Sells Noodles", and "The Second Sister Wang Misses Her Husband" , "Zhuge Liang seeks a bride", "Liu Ling is drunk", etc. In addition, she can speak dozens of major books, such as "The Biography of the Western Tang Dynasty", "The Book Bag", etc., and also has a set of "Jin Ping Mei" specially performed in the hall.

She made many changes in the tunes and patterns of the Laoting drum. She changed the rigid singing style of the old Laoting tune and strengthened the tapping, flashing and stacking boards. She liked to use portamento at the end of the tune, and often used melody in her lyrics. Adding lining words, coupled with her crisp singing voice and strong mouth, the words she sings are strong and clear, especially at the corners, which are trembling and beautiful. Her style is humorous and playful, and she is in a style of her own. The audience jokingly calls it "jealousy" "Liu Dagu", or "Funny Music Pavilion Dagu".

She is versatile. She can sing Taiping lyrics, speak cross talk, and play various roles. And he often exchanged baggage with veteran actors such as Zhang Shouchen, and sometimes opened the curtain to fight back. According to people who have watched Wang Lao's performances, the only person in the folk art circle who can really capture the audience and have no distance from the audience can rival Wang Lao, Lin Hongyu. She was accompanied by Run Haiqing in her early years, Lu Chengke later, who also played an important role in the creation of her artistic style, and Xie Ruidong in her later years.

Wang Peichen accepted his disciple Jin Yiyun. At the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Jin was still singing the iron drum in Beijing. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he taught in the youth training team of the Tianjin Folk Art Troupe. His disciples include Xin Yunxia, ??Yao Xuefen and Liu Xiuling. The third generation successors include Wang Guiru, Wang Jianmei, Wang Shuling, Yu Wenying and others.

The Tiepian Dagu founded by Wang Peichen has become an endangered minor genre. There are less than five performers performing this genre on the folk art stages in Beijing and Tianjin.

Existing materials

Wang Peichen left behind a lot of audio and video materials, including more than 10 records recorded before liberation, several recordings after liberation, and a movie.

In the 1930s, EMI's "Yu Tang Chun", "Exclusive Ownership of the Courtesan", "Persuading Prostitution to Make Friends", "Prostitutes Go to Graves", "Prostitutes Sigh", "Prostitutes' Sad Autumn" and the 1940s Two copies of "Hong Yue'e Dreams"; three copies of "Jealous with Pole" and one side of "The Little Widow Misses Her Husband" by Shengli Company, one and three copies of "Persuading Whores to Make Friends"; "Blue Bridge Club" and "Blue Bridge Club" by Kunlun Company "Zhu Maichen Divorced His Wife" each piece; two pieces of "Lover Talks Back" by the Chinese Music Company.

After liberation, there were recordings of "Yu Tang Chun", "Zhu Maichen Divorces His Wife" (the above two paragraphs have not been released yet), "Liu Ling is Drunk", "Tai Gong Sells Noodles", "Second Sister Wang Misses Her Husband", " "Zhuge Liang Recruiting a Marriage", "Gaoliang Rushing for Water" and the new program "No More Applying for Subsidies", etc. Among them, "Yutangchun", "Zhu Maichen Divorces His Wife", and "Gaoliang Rushing Water" have left a large number of narrations.

In the early 1960s, Tianjin Film Studio shot her the art film "Tai Gong Selling Noodles" which has not yet been released. At the same time, Zhang Shouchen's "The Thief Speaks" and Zeng Zhenting's "Lianzhu Kuaishu" were also filmed. Centipede Ridge" (unpublished).

In the late 1990s, Yao Xuefen, a disciple of Wang Peichen and a member of the Tianjin Folk Art Troupe, made four recordings of her teacher's "Zhuge Liang Seeking a Marriage", "Second Sister Wang Missing Her Husband", "Liu Ling Drunk" and "Tai Gong Selling Noodles" Wonderful illustrations and published.

Commemorative event

Burial

On May 29, 2005, a commemorative event for Wang Peichen, the founder of the Tiepian Dagu performing art and a famous drummer, was held in Tianjin. The inauguration ceremony of her commemorative tombstone was also held yesterday at Yong'an Cemetery in Tianjin. Her disciples Xin Yunxia and Liu Xiuling, as well as celebrities in the folk art circle Zhang Zhikuan, Liu Chun'ai, Han Baoli, Zhang Zixiu, etc. attended.

At the seminar organized by Tianjin Quyi Artists Association and Yong'an Cemetery, everyone spoke highly of Wang Peichen's outstanding performance skills and benevolent moral ethics. It is also reported that performances to commemorate the 105th anniversary of Wang Peichen's birth are also being planned.

The 105th Anniversary of the Birth

On October 12, 2007, a commemorative ceremony was held to commemorate the great master of the iron drum drum organized by the Research Department of the Chinese Music Association, Tianjin Music Association, Beijing Music Association, Yongan Group and other units. Wang Peichen's 105th anniversary performance was successfully held at Tian Huajing Theater and was well received by music fans.

The young actor Wang Shuling featured in this performance studied under Wang Peichen’s disciples Xin Yunxia and Yao Xuefen. She is already one of the pillars of the Beijing drum music circle. Her performance of "Sister Wang Missing Her Husband" was very effective and received applause from the audience. Continuously.

Old, middle-aged and young actors such as Yao Xuefen, Liu Xiuling, An Ying, Wang Jianmei, Chen Meimei, Feng Yanjun also participated in the singing.