Study On Music Investigation And Cultural Function Of Pucheng Marionette

The marionette theatre in Pucheng, known as Zhuanzi marionette theatre, is akind of unique theatre of Pucheng in Fujian. It is said that the theatre was created byWang Mingxiu, a gentry living in Pucheng during Shunzhi period of Qin dynasty,and has been inherited for three hundred years. In2008, Pucheng marionette theatrewas selected into the first list of city-level representatives of Intangible CulturalHeritage in Nanping. In2009, it was also elected in the second batch ofprovince-level representatives of Fujian Intangible Cultural Heritage. With the rapiddevelopment of society and economy and the transformation of aesthetic ideas,Pucheng marionette theatre is becoming endangered. However, the studies on it werehardly seen. Based on the principle “Recording is another form of culturalprotection”, the current study records and analyzes Pucheng marionette theatre byapplying the method of field survey.The thesis consists of four parts,Chapter One is introduction. The background ofthe present study and literature review on marionette theatre are combed andconcluded. Also, the research method, data collection, research objectives andimplications are overviewed in this part.Chapter Two is introduction of Pucheng marionette theatre. Since all personal orcollective musical activities generate in society, any performance and creation ofmusic need to relate to social and natural environment as well as cultural conditionsintensively. In order to deepen the understanding of Pucheng marionette theatre, thisstudy not only keeps track of its origins but also explores the current situation of thetheatre from natural and social perspectives. Finally, a detailed dynamic illustrationon the show time, performance mechanism, actors’ income and status of inheritanceis conducted.Chapter Three is the music of Pucheng marionette theatre. Pucheng marionettetheatre has the characteristics of folk music from Wuyue branch. Ballad is aninevitable component of the actors’ entrance and exit in Zhuanzi marionette theatre.It is divided into seven-word ballad and Zaqiang ballad. The ballad with high-pitchedfeatures and vocal accompaniment is sung in Pucheng dialect. Meanwhile, the studynot only summarizes the musical patterns of prelude, intermezzo and coda but alsoresearches on the main musical instrument such as suona, urheen, gongs and drums.At last, musical technique of expression are also discussed. Chapter Four is Social and Cultural functions of Pucheng marionette theatre.The social and cultural functions are analyzed from the perspectives of aesthetic andentertainment, spirit consolation, social organization and inheriting education.Pucheng marionette theatre which has a long history processes rather historical valueand cultural value. But, for the impact of modern technology, it has been trapped intodanger situation. Through recording and carding the data related to Puchengmarionette theatre, the present study is expected to find out the value of Puchengmarionette theatre so as to arouse people’s attention of protecting this theatre.