關於愛，我是個小學生。

Gist Of ‘Retrospect Of Chao Yuen Ren’ 
 

The raging urge of the May Fourth Movement has changed both the cultural and the habitual momentum of China, where an enormous impact has being brought forth within the course of the history of culture: the initiating of the vernacular Chinese, introduction of Western scientific methodology at the basis of traditional Chinese vertues of merits. Such revolutionary alternation has led China to a whole new stage, where the thriving development of Lieder, the art songs, was setting off. 
 

In this stage, Mr. Chao Yuen Ren, a reputed linguist and educator, was amid the pioneers to promote art songs to another apex during May Fourth Movement, in which he had devised the application of basic five main tunes of ancient Chinese via the theory of Western musical scales and composition, so that the art songs would still remain the specific orient touch as well as Chinese national characteristics. His efforts to these have thus conceived a stable fundamental for Chinese art songs and Chinese music pedagogy. Thereby it is to recognize that art songs are in genres of music where vocal melodies with relatively more literary lyrics in accompanying with clavier accordance. In the sense of Chao’s composing, art songs are granted more vivid artistry and endowed with the verbality in between the melody and the lyrics. 
 

This article will emphasize, tracing back the course of music history, on the life of Mr. Chao, his musical backgrounds, and main contributions, as well as to take a brief overlook and summary of Chao’s interpretation and the style of his art songs composition by studying into one of his most popular works【How Can I Help But Think Of You】. 


 

Key words: Chao Yuen Ren, art songs, May Fourth Movement, vocaling style, composing background