The influence of Wang Jianzhong’s piano works on the development of Chinese piano art

The article deals with the piano works of the famous Chinese composer Wang Jianzhong (1933-2016). The influence of Wang Jianzhong's piano works on the development of Chinese piano art is studied. The position of this composer's works in the Chinese musical environment is revealed, and their contribution to traditional culture is outlined. An analysis of the composer's works (especially «One Hundred Birds Bowing to the Phoenix»; «Three Variations on a Plum Theme»; «Shandandan Flower Blossoms Brightly») in the context of tradition and innovation has revealed the positive role of the composer's works in the development of the Chinese piano school. It is noted that his works represent a fusion of traditional Chinese music with Western classical compositional techniques. The important role of Wang Jianzhong's works in the development of musical education is revealed by their universality and bright national flavour. The composer uses Chinese folk melodies in his works and interprets them carefully. Wang Jianzhong skilfully combines Chinese pentatonics with the even-tempered structure of the piano, and also imitates the sound of traditional instruments such as the pizzicato and tremolo of the guzheng, the plucking technique of the pipa and the vibrato of the bamboo flute of the jizzi. It is shown that this fact contributes to the popularisation of Chinese musical folklore and also increases the interest of the younger generation in piano playing. It is proved that the harmonious combination of «national» and «internalisation» has a great effect.