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"The lost death-penalty prisoner" play performed by Binh Dinh provincial Bài Chòi Music Theatre Company. Photo H.T |
"Old folk-song, developed folk-song, and new works of bài chòi (bài chòi sung drama) of Binh Dinh" is the title of songbook completed by artists at Binh Dinh provincial Bài Chòi Music Theatre Company. With nearly 100 songs, this songbook can be considered as a panorama of music in bài chòi of Binh Dinh.
The songbook consists of three parts: forms and types of folk-song in bài chòi of Binh Dinh, melodies of folk-song used in bài chòi, and new works and theme music in bài chòi. In each part, authors provide specific explanations with illustrated songs, helping readers easily understand the variety and distinctive features of music in bài chòi.
The first part introduces lullabies, chanties, and Ly songs (a type of folk-song) in Binh Dinh and southern central region. Authors deeply analyze distinctive features of lullabies of Binh Dinh as well as Ly songs.
After being born for more than 40 years, bài chòi has rapidly developed. Some authors and musicians use melodies of folk-song and traditional music in bài chòi, which is mentioned in the second part of the book. This is a selectively essential addition to music in bài chòi. In "Huyen thoai ve tieng hat" (the legend of a singing voice) play, for example, the melody of a lullaby was successfully used or the lyrical features of a chanty were also applied in "Huong tham" play.
The third part proves the strong development of newly composed works and theme music in bài chòi. Basing on old melodies of "Cung oan ngam khuc" (songs about rancour and bitterness in forbidden palace) by Vo Bai and "Trach hoa" (blame for flowers) by meritorious artist Cung Nghinh, many plays were newly composed before 1975.
After 1975, with the addition of such musical instruments as organ, cello, and violin, there were other new plays like "Hoa su trang" by meritorious artist Huynh Loan, "Be bang" (feeling ashamed) by Huynh Loan in "Princess Huyen Tran" play, "Tu bi" (mercy) by meritorious artist Huu Lai in "The lost death-penalty prisoner" play. Many of them won bài chòi lovers' hearts.
"It took more than one year to complete the songbook because we had to collect the material from different sources. Alongside this, folk-artists and folklorists much contributed their ideas to the content of the songbook," said meritorious artist Ngo Huu Lai.
Previously, there had been only one study on bài chòi entitled "Lich su ca kich va am nhac bài chòi" (The history of sung drama and music in bài chòi) by meritorious artist Hoang Le. It only, however, mentions the history of bài chòi. The songbook practically aims at introducing the beauty of music in bài chòi to people.
"Alongside the songbook, a CD with 80 songs was also published. They will be presented to high schools and artistic troupes in Binh Dinh, serving the studying, teaching, and advertising of bài chòi, " added meritorious artist Huu Lai.
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