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Violin making culture in China

Speaking of violin making in China, it can be said to have a long history, even dating back to the early years of the Republic of China. The first person to eat crab in the field of Chinese violin making, according to reliable records, was Mr. Situ Mengyan from Shanghai. Situ Mengyan, also known as Situ Fuquan, was born in Shanghai in 1888, with ancestral roots in Huilongli, Shazhou Township, Chishui District. I have loved music and Cantonese opera since my youth. Started learning violin performance from foreign violin teachers at Xujiahui Church in the early 20th century. Becoming one of the earliest people in our country to be exposed to violin and Western music. In 1908, Situ Mengyan went to study in the United States. First, study for two years in the preparatory program at Philips College. Admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering, shipbuilding engineering, naval engineering and other majors. During my stay in the United States. Always persist in learning violin performance. Later, he became a student of Austrian violinist J ü rgen Grunberg at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. In the summer of 1910, Situ Mengyan began learning violin making techniques in the violin manufacturing and repair workshop run by his classmate's father. During this time, Situ Mengyan coincidentally met Walter Sharon Goss, a Polish American and violinist who had won three consecutive gold medals in the American violin making competition in 12 years, at the workshop. And become the only student of Gos. Gos has rich experience in making pianos and superb skills. I have experience in identifying and repairing many famous qin instruments. Under his guidance, Situ Mengyan made more than ten violins. In 1914, Situ Mengyan graduated and returned to China. Appeared as an engineer at Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard. This marks the first time that Jiangnan Factory has obtained the highest score level of "A" 1 from the authoritative ship inspection agency of London Labor Union Insurance Company in the UK. Afterwards, Situ Mengyan successfully completed the task of the US Navy's equipment and shipyard for ordering 10000 ton ships at the Jiangnan factory. Later, he took over the position of Chief Engineer at the Jiangnan factory from the British man Morgan. Situ Mengyan is one of the pioneers who have achieved success in the history of modern shipbuilding industry in China. But he also never gave up his research on violin making. When Situ returned to China, he brought back more than 300 violin making tools. Later, he made more than ten violins. The most satisfactory works were unfortunately destroyed by the artillery fire of the Japanese invading army. Situ Mengyan's achievements in music are not only in making violins. He also served as a violin professor at the European String Department of Shanghai Jingwu Sports Association and joined the Chinese Music Concert. While teaching Western music and violin performance, we are also committed to the research and reform of Guangdong music. Among the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Guangdong music, Lv Wencheng and Yin Zijin (the other two being He Langping and He Dasha) have both studied Western music theory and violin performance from Situ Mengyan. Especially, he also inspired and helped Lv Wencheng develop the Gaohu. This has given Guangdong music and even other traditional Chinese music a distinctive new type of ethnic bowstring instrument. Situ Mengyan often plays Guangdong music with friends. Songs such as' Yanzi Tower ',' Spring Comes', 'Zhao Jun's Lament', 'Little Peach Blossom', 'Xiaoxiang Qin's Lament', etc. are all their reserved repertoire. Situ Mengyan once compiled the entire piece of "Yanzi Tower" composed by Lv Wencheng using the five qian notation.