《穆天子传》“广乐”考辨

Analysis of the Term"Guangyue"in the Records of King Mu

“广乐”在《穆天子传》中出现八次,是周穆王巡行天下主要演奏的音乐。“广乐”真意,注家历来颇有歧见,两种主要的观点:广乐为六代四夷之乐;广乐为神仙之乐。细勘《穆天子传》中广乐八见的前后事迹,梳理穆王奏乐的经过与目的,可知广乐是盛大绵长的乐章,并非泛指六代四夷之乐,亦非神仙之乐。广乐其源应在“启宾天”传说,而广乐其身,应即《韶》乐。广乐、《韶》乐,均指盛大至美之乐章,不同于《韶》乐被儒家赋予的理想色彩,广乐在《穆天子传》中,是令穆王耽溺频奏的音乐,而并未附着太多意义。

The term"guangyue"appears eight times in the Records of King Mu,which was the main kind of music played by King Mu of Zhou.The true meaning of"guangyue"has always been a matter of discussion among scholars,and there exists two main points of view:it may designate the music of four barbaric tribes living on the borders of the Zhou kingdom,or it may stand for the music of the immortals.Examining the events mentioned before and after each of the eight"guangyue"terms in Records of King Mu,and combing through the process and purpose of King Mu's music,we may find that"guangyue"describes a grand and long musical piece.With reference to the historical texts and the opinions voiced by scholars,it has been argued that"guangyue"does not refer to the music of the four barbaric tribes of the Zhou dynasty,nor can it refer to the music of the immortals.The source of"guangyue"should lie in the legend of Qibintian,and"guangyue"should stand for the music of Shao.Guangyue and Shao music both refer to grand and beautiful music.Unlike Shao music,which has been endowed with a Confucianist ideal,"guangyue"is the music that King Mu indulged in playing frequently and to which he did not attach too much meaning,as per the Records.