We would like to thank Rentana Wu for this article on pianist and composer Lisan Wang. Interested in learning more about Lisan Wang? Attend her session at The Piano Conference: NCKP 2025 on Saturday, July 26 from 11:00 AM – 11:25 AM in Grand Ballroom IJ. Learn more and register for the conference here.
1. A Trailblazer in East Meets West.
Lisan Wang (1933-2013) was a trailblazer in combining Chinese national elements with Western classical techniques. Born into a culturally rich family, Wang was deeply influenced by traditional Chinese art forms such as Peking Opera and calligraphy. His exposure to both Chinese and Western classical education led him to craft a distinctive compositional style that integrated folk melodies and modern Western methods, like Bartók’s use of ostinato, into a seamless fusion. Wang’s works exemplify a perfect marriage of nationalism and Westernism, providing a unique pathway for musicians to explore and appreciate global musical traditions.
2. Impressionism Through A Chinese Lens
Lisan Wang’s piano compositions often evoke vivid imagery and abstraction, reminiscent of Impressionist painting. The piano suite Impressions of Paintings by Higashiyama Kaii draws inspiration from Japanese modern landscapes, blending the pentatonic scale and Japanese modes with Debussy’s coloristic techniques. This fusion of Eastern and Western ideas allows students to experience Impressionism in a new light, making it more accessible while still maintaining its original emotional depth and complexity.
3. Reinventing Folk Music for the Piano
Wang was highly influenced by folk music, and his works often incorporate traditional Chinese melodies reinterpreted through a Western harmonic lens. A prime example is his use of pentatonic scales and Japanese modes, which not only preserve the authenticity of folk tunes but also employ sophisticated Western compositional techniques. This combination results in a sound that is both familiar and innovative, providing a fresh approach to teaching folk-based classical music.
4. Unlocking Emotional Depth and Sensitivity
Wang’s music is rich in emotional depth and sensitivity, often requiring performers to engage with the characters or narratives he suggests through his pieces. For example, in the movement “The Sound of Waves,” the music evokes the epic journey of Master Jian Zhen, using dynamic shifts and rhythmic patterns to represent both the struggle and determination of the character. Teaching Wang’s works encourages students to delve into these emotional narratives, fostering not just technical ability but emotional intelligence and interpretative skill.
5. The Perfect Gateway to Contemporary Repertoire
Lisan Wang’s compositions serve as ideal preparatory works for students approaching the complexities of twentieth and twenty-first-century repertoire. His use of modern techniques such as dissonance, rhythmic complexity, and coloristic textures prepares students for the challenging works of composers like Debussy, Bartók, and Ravel. Wang’s pieces provide a culturally enriched foundation, making it easier for students to tackle the challenges of contemporary Western music with greater confidence and depth.
References
Wei, Tingge. 中国近现代音乐家的生平简介 (The Modern Chinese Musician’s Biographies). Shenyang, China: Spring Wind Cultural Press,,1994.
Bian, Meng. 《中国钢琴文化之形成与发展》 (The Formation and Development of Chinese Piano Music Culture). 北京:华乐出版社 (Beijing: Huayue Press), 1996.
Dai, Baisheng. “中国传统文化的象征–汪立三钢琴曲《#F商:书法与琴韵》中的” 中国风格”探析” (The Symbol of Chinese Traditional Culture). Journal of Wuhan Conservatory of Music, 2004.
Su, Lanshen. “纵一苇之所如凌万顷之茫然——汪立三先生访谈录” (“An Interview with Mr. Wang Lisan”). Piano Artistry, no. 2 (1998): 4–9.
Wei, Tingge. “探求新的美的境界——评钢琴曲《夕阳箫鼓》、《涛声》” (“To Explore A New Beauty: On The Piano Piece ‘Sunset Drum’ ‘The Roaring Waves’”). In Wei Tingge Music Anthology, 2-5. Beijing: People’s Music Publishing House, 2007.
Wei, Tingge. “汪立三的钢琴创作” (“Wang Lisan’s Piano Works”). In Wei Tingge Music Anthology, 2-8. Beijing: People’s Music Publishing House, 2007.
Xu, Pan. “中国钢琴作品民族风格的初探—解析汪立三《东山魁夷画意》之四《涛声》” (“National Style of Chinese Piano Works: Analysis of Wang Lisan’s Piano Piece “The Roaring Waves”). Art and Literature for the Masses 242, no. 4 (2010): 130.
Wang, Wenjun. “《涛声》的教学分析” (“The Analysis on Teaching of Piano Piece ‘The Roaring Waves’”). National Music 178, no. 5 (2004): 35.
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