Run of the Band: Mobile Orchestras of Medieval China (Based on the Materials of Funeral Figurines of the Period of the “Sixteen States” and the “Northern and Southern Dynasties”)

Abstract

The article explores the phenomenon of mobile orchestras that emerged in China during the early Middle Ages, based on the development of caravan trade along the Great Silk Road in the economy and cavalry squadrons in military affairs. The “Sogdians” of the Western Region and the nomadic peoples of the northern steppe zone, including those who established their own states on the conquered Chinese territories, actively participated in fulfilling these social necessities. The emergence of musical ensembles of mounted musicians can be traced back to their depiction in clay as part of small funerary sculptures found in tombs from the 16-State period or the Northern Dynasties epoch, with the Xianbei Tabgach people often featured in the latter. Due to studies of ceramic figures it became known that the elementary unit was a pair of horsemen: one with a trumpet or horn, another – with a drum. Namely, this special “drum and wind” music and its variant with a transverse flute as well was created to maintain a clear rhythm during combat tours and military formations on the battlefields, which was performed by military musicians who usually rode horses or, less commonly, camels. Later, they were supplemented by a group of string instruments and expanded to the dimensions of ceremonial orchestras that participated in court ceremonies. In this article, the authors primarily used primary materials from the expositions in the leading museums of China, such as National museum or Historical museum of Shaanxi Province. This investigation is supposed to be the first step in exploring this important topic within the great realm of Chinese music.