Chinese Music. Published by Order of The Inspector General of Customs. China. Imperial Maritime Customs. II. Special Series: No. 6.
Shanghai: Published at the Statistical Department of the Inspectorate General of Customs, 1884. First edition. Hardcover. Scarce first edition of the primary source in a Western language of information on Chinese music right up to the 1950s. 'Chinese Music' is also recognized as a direct source of musical material and information for Puccini in his writing of the opera 'Turandot'.
Van Aalst explains, "In the description I give here I will endeavour to point out the contrasts or similarity between Western and Chinese Music, to present abstruse theories in the least tiresome way, to add details never before published, and to give a short yet concise account of Chinese Music" (Preface, iii).
J. A. van Aalst (1858 – ca.1914) was a Belgian customs and postal officer in China, recognized for his works on the history of Chinese music and dance. He served in China in the late 19th century as an administrator for the Qing Dynasty imperial government, in the Imperial Maritime Customs Service. While employed in this primarily British staffed department his ability as a musician was recognized by the highly able British Inspector General of the customs service, Robert Hart. The customs service did much more than collect revenue; it also researched and produced reports and publications on numerous China related topics including music.
This is van Aalst's most famous work, published in 1884 in Shanghai by the Statistical Dept of the Inspectorate General. Van Aalst was invited to lecture at the 1884 London International Health Exhibition. It is likely 'Chinese Music' was written in preparation for the exposition, where a small group of Chinese musicians was invited to perform. It included participants and exhibits from around the world including from China -- which displayed the first ever Chinese menu seen in Great Britain!
4to, iv, 84pp, many illustrations in text. Unfortunately this copy LACKS the frontispiece and 2 plates. Three quarter black calf and marbled boards. Corners and spine ends slightly rubbed. OCLC: 233003645. Rare in the trade. Very good overall. Item #23423
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