Media file:
mus. 1.1
Title:
Frère Jacques as Chinese National Anthem
Source:
Heidelberg catalogue entry, DACHS Archive
Keywords:
national anthem, nineteenth century, revolutionary song, transculturality, music

Frère Jacques as Chinese National Anthem

In the late nineteenth century, with the arrival of military and merchants in China, a new type of “Chinese Music” arose, a music which makes use of violins, organs, pianos and clarinets, a music which is to be performed according to strict notation, which is linked with the name of a particular composer. This music was soon assimilated into the Chinese musical universe to such an extent that a song like “Frère Jacques” could be considered a “Chinese folksong”, become the battle song of many a political and revolutionary faction, and finally, for a short time, even the Chinese national anthem.