Guqin for Tea Time: Ancient Rhyme of Yuan Song

"Purple Flower" is a piece from Li Xiangting’s guqin and xiao improvisation album, Yuanqu Ancient Rhyme. Following The Poetic Flavor of the Tang Dynasty and The Poetic Meaning of the Song Dynasty, Li Xiangting’s Ancient Rhyme of Yuan Opera once again captures the unique artistic essence of Yuan Opera through the guqin and xiao.

Whether evoking distant longing, heartfelt emotions, sorrow, or delicate beauty, Li Xiangting’s improvisations are both inspired and inspiring. His refined playing and ethereal tones transcend time and space.

The music is based on the Yuan Dynasty poet Wang Shifu’s Yuetiao "Purple Flower Preface". Wang Shifu, once a court official, later chose a life of freedom, much like Fan Li, sailing across the Five Lakes. With "Purple Flower", he expressed his ideals and longing for an unfettered life.