Chinese Music Archive (CMA)(hereinafter called as CMA) is a database of Chinese folk instrumental music created and operated by ROI Productions Ltd.In the first stage, its contents include audio and video tracks, introduction of musical instruments and different forms of music, introduction of performers and other characters, with a lot of information related to Chinese folk music.

The founder of ROI is an insider of Chinese folk music. Since the 1960s, he had been collecting folk music materials, including various audio and video products, music scores, books, pictures, etc. Since ROI was established in Hong Kong in 1993, more and more materials were accumulated in ROI’s database. In order to provide centralized convenience for people in the Chinese folk music field, we specially organize the main parts of the database into our "Chinese Music Archive" website so that it will be easier for promotion and dissemination. This set of materials will include thousands of classical and creative repertoires using different instruments, performed in different periods, especially in the past 100 years.

*

Some Features of CMA

1. Specialised in Chinese Instrumental Music

Unlike most websites of Chinese music which normally include music, songs, local operas etc, we concentrate on Chinese folk instrumental music only.

2. A full picture of Chinese folk music in the past 100 years

The content of the archive basically includes the most important music pieces and performers of each era of Chinese folk instrumental music in the past 100 years.

3. Cross-regionalcontent

Where there are Chinese people in the world, there is Chinese folk music. As to the development and growth of Chinese folk music, mainland China is undoubtedly the most important place. In addition, Taiwan, Hong Kong, as well as many places where Chinese live together, have made great achievements and contribution in folk music over the years. The history and treasure house of folk music are the joint efforts of all Chinese folk music people from different regions. CMA will cover folk music works and characters from all over the world.

4. On-growing contents and topics

In the first year, about 10,000 audio/video tracks will be released. Then a few thousands will be added every year. In addition, ROI has new publications, productions and performances every year. Therefore, the content of CMA (including audio/video recordings and other various data), both in quantity and innovation, are constantly growing.

5. With both audio and video recordings

6. Bilingual contents –(Chinese and English)

In order to facilitate the promotion to more places in the world, the main content is in both Chinese (traditional and simplified) and English.

7. Website autonomy

The website of CMA is created, developed, updated and maintained by ROI’s own professional team. It is basically safe and secure. Also we can persist to achieve our aim in running CMA without interference.

Some notes on the contents of CMA

1. 1. In a broad sense, Chinese traditional music includes instrumental music, opera, songs, etc. Today, when it comes to traditional music, the consensus is Chinese traditional instrumental music (basically excluding minority musical instruments). CMA’s contents are initially classified under this principle, and will expand the content in the future. . CMA will also include Chinese music played by non-Chinese traditional instruments in the future.
2. Chinese traditional musical instruments are basically divided into four big categories – bow-string instruments, pluck-string instruments, wind instruments and percussion. Among the first three categories, Guqin, Pipa, Guzheng, Erhu, and Dizi are the most important solo instruments. We single out these five instruments, in addition to the other bow-strings, pluck-strings, winds instruments, plus percussion, orchestras and ensembles, all audio/video tracks in CMA are divided in 11 categories.
3. In addition to audio and video, it is always ROI’s feature to attach lots of related materials in our product to complement each other, and CMA is no exception. We divide the content of the archive into three parts - the AV-Archive, the Info-Archive, and Special Topics.

AV-archive as the name implies, it is audio and video tracks. Initially, we put only single audio and video tracks.

Info-Archive It is not an encyclopedia of Chinese music. It is only information related to the content of CMA’s audio/video archive, such as introduction of musical instruments, music pieces and the performers (we will also introduce composers, conductors, and other various characters in the field of Chinese music gradually). A common introduction of music pieces is provided, but not for any specific version of individual performer. Introduction is not provided for certain types of music such as some title tracks or local music.

Special Topic Among thousands of audio/video recordings in our archive, we abstracted special recordings and refined them into specific and interesting subjects. We named them Special Topics.

The content of this archive is a collection of cross-regional hard work and achievement of Chinese music people of several generations. It is a precious heritage of Chinese traditional culture. We will continuously increase the contents, improve other functions and services, and do our best in this project as a mission. Your valuable opinions, support and encouragement are highly expected and appreciated.