Song Of The Ch'In

The 'ch'in' is a traditional Chinese seven-stringed, plucked zither, which was associated with sages and scholars. The sophisticated technique of 'ch'in' playing involves various ways of plucking the strings, as well as range, timbre and the use of ornaments. In this composition for string quartet, Zhou captures the essence of these special musical gestures frequently found in 'ch'in' music.