DESCRIPTION:
Autumn Floods, Tianwen Ge Qinpu 【天聞閣琴譜】 (1876) version, Zeng Chengwei's transcription, transmitted to Charles Tsua.

The title comes from the chapter in Zhuangzi of the same name and is an elaboration on philosophical perspective and overcoming of boundaries; of relativism and constant changes. The melody is also called Shenhua Yin or 'metamorphosis'.

The melody is musically very close to that of another piece called Longxiang Cao (Soaring Dragons) which seems to date earlier than this piece and Autumn Floods seem to be an elaboration and expansion of that melody.

Initially, I translated the title as 'Autumn Water' but this is incorrect when the context is known.

I consider this my 'signature piece.' I can play it well and with ease and I usually start my practice by playing this first.

Played on a Zeng Chengwei qin called 泉音 made in 2006 with 龍人 nylon strings.