The compiler of the Music Book, known as the Encyclopedia of Music, was Chen Yang of the Northern Song Dynasty.
Chen Yang, courtesy name Jinzhi, was from Minqing County. In the first year of Shaosheng's reign in the Song Dynasty (1094), he was a virtuous, upright, eloquent and admonishing officer who passed the imperial examination and was awarded the title of Military Officer of Shunchang Army. Chen Yang was good at music rhythm. He participated in the compilation of "Music Book" of "Shengzhi Wen Guan" from Shenzong to Zhezong, and later took charge of its affairs. It discusses the twelve rhythms, five tones, eight tones (instruments), movements of the past dynasties, music and dance, miscellaneous music, hundreds of operas, etc. It also gives a detailed explanation of the elegant music, secular music, Hu music and musical instruments of the previous generation and at that time.
"Yue Shu" was first engraved by his descendant Chen Houqi in the sixth year of Qingyuan, the seventh year of Youyuan to Zhengzheng years. The Fuzhou Road Confucian scholar Zhao Zongji engraved the edition, Ming Di revised it, and the Qing Dynasty Guangxu second year, Fang Ruizhong Engraved edition and included in "Bibliographic Summary of Sikuquanshu".
Extended information:
Chen Yang advocated that music is based on Taixu, the sound rhythm is based on Zhongsheng, and Zhongsheng is based on human heart. He believes that the origin of ancient music is based on Zhongsheng. If it is harmonious, if it is too much, it will be lustful. He opposed the use of high, low and varying tones other than "five tones" and was one of the representatives of the Song Dynasty court elegant music school. In the first year of Jingguo's reign (1101), he entered the "Gong Heng Collection" to persuade Shao Shu. Dr. Taichang moved to the secretary to save Zhengzi.
The musical instrument pictures in "Book of Music" are taken from the rare "Tang Music Pictures", "Music Method Pictures", "Lüishu Music Pictures", "Da Zhou Zheng Yue", Jingyou Feng Yuan's "Yue Pictures" "Notes" and so on, which can be described as an encyclopedia of music at that time. In the second year of Chongning (1103), "Book of Music" was officially presented to the court.
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