thiều nhạc

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Shao music: A specific, ancient piece of music attributed to the reign of the legendary Emperor Shun, traditionally celebrated as the most sublime and harmonious music of high antiquity.
   • Exquisite / perfect music: By extension, the term is used metaphorically to refer to any music of the highest quality, beauty, and harmony.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Khúc thiều nhạc thời vua Thuấn được ca tụng khắp nơi. (The Shao music from Emperor Shun's time was praised everywhere.)
  • Tiếng đàn ấy du dương như khúc thiều nhạc. (That zither sound is as melodious as Shao music.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in literary, historical, or highly formal contexts to evoke classical ideals of artistic perfection and moral harmony, as ancient Chinese philosophy often linked perfect music with virtuous governance.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhã nhạc (n): ceremonial court music, often used in formal and royal settings.
• Cung đình nhạc (n): palace music, referring to the music performed for the royal court.

Synonyms

• Perfect harmony: A state of perfect musical and often moral agreement.
• Sublime music: Music that inspires awe through its beauty and grandeur.

Related Idioms and Classical References

• Thiều nhạc chín chương: Refers to the nine movements or parts of the classic Shao music, symbolizing completeness and perfection.
  • Tác phẩm của ông được ví như thiều nhạc chín chương. (His work is compared to the nine movements of Shao music.)
• The phrase is deeply connected to a famous anecdote where Confucius, upon hearing the Shao music, was so enraptured that he "forgot the taste of meat for three months," emphasizing its power and beauty.