Hue (Huế) Court’s Genres of Music

Hue (Huế) Court’s Genres of Music

Court dance

Court Music is commonly known as genres of music and songs included dance and dramatics music. It was used in many occasions of worshipping rituals, court affairs, national festivals of the court and entertainment of the King and the royal family. The name nha nhac "nhã nhạc" (Cremmonial music and songs) was adopted from China and used in Ho (Hồ) Dynasty. It has many different meanings. It sometimes refers to the Court music in general or in specific. Sometimes, it refers to a music organization or an orchestra. Nowadays, the term "nha nhac" is usually understood as the second meaning.

The genres of Court music are: rituals music of worshipping and court affairs, Court dance, concert and classic drama.

The ancient Hue Court music was of many genres such as "Giao" music in the festival of sacrifice, Mieu "Miếu" music on the festival of temple, Ngu Tu "Ngũ tự" music in the worshipping of Than Nong "Thần Nông", Thanh Hoang "Thành Hoàng", Xa Tac "Xa Tắc"; Dai Trieu "Đại triều" music in the great festivals, "Thuong Trieu Thường triều" in the common festivals, Yen "Yến" music in the big feasts, and "Cung" music in the inner palace.

Hue Court dance is of many exercises which were used in many different occasions. There have been 11 Court dances so far and they are:

Bat Dat "Bát dật" used in many festivals

Luc cung Hoa Dang "lục cúng hoa đăng" is of festival of thurifying, flower, candle, tea and fruit offering. These were according to six tones of the King's birthday, The King's Mother's birthday, and birthday of the other wife of the King's father.

"Tam linh" and "Tứ linh" (the three and four supernatural creatures) used in the King's birthday, The King's Mother's birthday, and birthday of the other wife of the King's father, The birthday of the prince to wish good fortune, rich and long live.

Bat Tien hien tho "Bát tiên hiến thọ" (Eight fairies wishing long live) and Tam quoc Tay Du "Tam quốc tây du" used in King's birthday, The King's Mother's birthday, and birthday of the other wife of the King's father.

Trinh tuong tap khanh "Trình tường tập khánh" used in the festivals of four, five weeks in the National Day to wish rich people and strong nation.

Nu tuong xuat quan "Nữ tướng xuất quân" (the female general going to battle) used in the occasions of victory or receiving the foreign ambassadors.

"Trinh tuong tap khanh" Dance	"Nu tuong xuat quan" (the female general going to battle) Dance

Dau chien thang phat "Đấu chiến thắng Phật" used in festivals of King's birthday, The King's Mother's birthday, and birthday of the other wife of the King's father to eliminate evils.

Vu phien "Vũ phiến" was the dance of King's mother, the Queen and other wives of the King and the princess in the newly-web feasts.

Luc triet hoa ma dang"Lục triệt hoa mã đăng" was the dance which was showed in Phu Văn Castle in the National Day.

The music system which was used for the above genres was also of many songs. However, after some periods of recession, many songs were lost. Some songs are still reserved now. They are Muoi ban Ngu "Mười bản ngự", Dang dan cung "Đăng đàn cung", Dang dan don "Đăng đàn đơn",Thai Binh co nhac "Thái Bình cổ nhạc" and so on.

The orchestras of Nguyen Dynasty were of many kinds with many different members. They played in many festivals and serve the need of entertainment in the Court. They were "Nha nhac", "Huyen nhac", "Ti truc te nhac", "Tieu nhac", "Dai nhac", "Bat am" and so on.

Nowadays, Hue Court music is only "Dai nhạc" and "Tieu nhạc" which has been handled down from generations, the dance with many songs, chamber music and drama. Some songs and other genres are gradually restored.

Collected (based on DSTG)