Essential guqin repertoire

[guzhenglover]

What do you more experienced guqin players think about the so-called "essential repertoire" for the guqin? Like if we were to have a list of top-ten or top-twenty must-play pieces, which ones would you vote for?

I suppose there are similar "polls" out there - including this forum - but I want to add that I am not asking for your FAVOURITE pieces so much as what in your educated opinions every guqin player should be able to play (well). This may include pieces that you don't like, pieces that seem too "simple" (if one such piece even exists....) and pieces that are really advanced e.g. guang ling san, xiao xiang shui yun etc.

I have some ideas, but personally I am not inclined to think that the essential repertoire has to comprise the really big and difficult pieces like guang ling san (which isn't my favourite, anyway).

If you are prepared to share with us the pieces that you believe should go in the top ten or twenty, can you also provide a short rationale why you believe so? Thanks!

[davidmdahl]

Well, I don't have an educated opinion about essential qin tunes, but in the interests of getting responses rolling in, I will list a few of my favorites.

Wine Madness (Jiu Kuang)

Parting at the Yang Guan Pass

Best wishes,

David

[guzhenglover]

For now, my own take is as follows (not in order of preference or importance):

Liu Shui 'Flowing river'
Mei Hua San Nong 'Three variations on the tune of plum blossom'
Yu Qiao Wen Da 'Dialogue between a fisherman and a lumberjack'
You Lan 'Black Orchid'
Chang Men Yuan '(Something) lament' (not sure about the standard translation of this piece here...)
Ping Sha Luo Yan 'Wild geese descend on a sandy beach'

Oh, let us please remember that I am asking about the essential repertoire, not the favourite repertoire (though these two may overlap for you, according to you). Thanks David for your first bit of contribution!

[Si]

I prefer that there is no top repertoire as they seem to over shadow lesser known tunes or un-dapued tunes.

Im quite sick of seeing those top tunes on every CD......