Guan Pinghu (管平湖) was a revered Chinese guqin player, widely recognized as a key figure in the 20th century for his contributions to this traditional instrument's legacy. Born on July 4, 1897, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, Guan's life spanned a period of great transition in China, yet he remained a steadfast advocate and practitioner of the ancient seven-stringed zither, which has been an emblem of Chinese scholarly culture for millennia.

Distinguished by his profound understanding of the guqin's expressive capabilities, Guan Pinghu was known for the depth and purity of his playing style, which resonated with the ethos of literati who have historically revered the instrument for its refinement and subtlety. His recordings, such as those found in the "Anthology of Chinese Traditional & Folk Music Played on Guqin" series, remain seminal works that continue to inspire qin scholars and musicians around the world. His rendition of the classic piece "Flowing Water" (流水) was included on the Voyager Golden Record, a collection of music sent into space aboard the Voyager spacecrafts, highlighting its importance as a cultural treasure. Though Guan passed away on June 28, 1967, his legacy endures through his recordings and his influence on subsequent generations of guqin players.

Genres

Chinese Traditional

Guqin

Latest Release

Anthology of Chinese Traditional & Folk Music Played on Guqin: Vol. 1

Guan Pinghu

Single - Released January 1, 2006