This series explores China’s rich and diverse musical heritage. The songs featured in this recording are folk songs of the five minority ethnic groups of Qinghai and Gansu provinces – Tu, Bonan, Dongxiang, Yugur and Salar. As with Chinese traditional visual arts, the song titles explain their mood and origin.

Contents:

Yugur
1. Song of the Moon
2. The Beautiful Grassland
3. La La Lo
4. History of the Yugurs
5. Dressing the Groom
6. The Bride Wears the Accessory
7. The Yugura from Xi Zhi Ha Zhi
8. Joda the Groom
9. A Pastoral Song
10. Here Come the Guests
11. Chanting at the Banquet

Salar
12. Ba Xi Gu Liu Liu
13. Yu’er, a love song
14. San Hua Cao
15. Salar Zhi Ling, a folk song
16. Ixora on a High Mountain
17. Persicaria Orientalis
18. Kids of the Salar Riding Waves
19. The Yellow River on the Left and Cliffs on the Right

Tu
20. Song of Toasting
21. A Traditional Wedding Song of Tu People
22. Welcoming Guests
23. An Zhao Dance
24. Come to Play on the Ridge
25. Mounting the Horse
26. Daughter’s Complaint
27. Red Blossom Festival
28. A Girl’s Song

Dongxiang
29. The Lad Can’t Move His Eyes Away
30. Dongxiang Yi Ling
31. Life is Short
32. Sour-Sweet Pears
33. Dongxiang Si Ling
34. Hardship in Old Age
35. An Old Peasant
36. Picturesque Valley of Tangwang
37. A Dongxiang Girl’s Song
38. Mi La Ga Hei, a narrative song
39. The Rolling Dragon Brings the Rain

Bonan
40. A Bonan Melody
41. A Melody about a Lover
42. Big Eyes
43. A Pony
44. Cang Lang Lang Melody
45. A Banquet Song
46. A Straight Melody