古琴,是中华民族最古老的乐器之一，距今已有3000多年的历史。在这漫漫的历史长河中，先辈们为我们留下了近200部琴谱，3000多首琴曲和大量关于琴的诗、词、歌、赋及理论文献。许多优美动听的故事都和古琴结合在一起。文人雅士也把古琴奉为“棋书画”之首，足见古琴在人们心中的地位。
　　时光流逝，转瞬我与古琴结缘已有23个春秋了，这其中经历了许多甘苦，但使我感悟最深的就是古琴是琴人的生命!从学琴那天起就不知不觉已将生命融于古琴艺术之中。而琴人对于古琴及古琴艺术之热爱、之深情当属我的恩师吴景略先生。
　　吴先生是中国四大名琴家之一，是创立“虞山吴派”的一代宗师，风格独树一帜，既有北之雄奇，又有南之清润；既健美豪放，又意境深远；既细腻精微，又通畅阔达；不仅达到了历代琴人所追求的理想境界，也使古琴为现代人理解与接受。他倾毕生心血从事古琴音乐的挖掘、整理及推广，自50年代起任中央音乐学院教授，培养了许多古琴人才。
　　但使我铭记在心的不仅仅是他学术上的成就，而是他对古琴的那份珍爱。记得一次演出结束，我送先生回家，当时先生已年逾古稀，步履已见蹒跚，却定要亲手抱琴。由于路面不平，先生一个琅跄，几乎跌倒，我下意识地去扶先生，而先生却首先要保护他怀中的那张古琴。“先生是要用生命保护自己怀中的孩 　子”!此情此景让我感动，令我震撼，使我真正感受到了古琴在我们琴人心中的价值。
　　古人有“士无故不撤琴瑟”之说，先生的琴桌也总摆着那张他所珍爱的宋琴“长风”。而当我们去先生家上课的时候，却可以弹奏这张琴。更令我难忘的是我还没有属于我的琴的时候，如果要是有演出、录音的时候，就得向人借琴，每次先生都会将他最宝贵的宋琴借给我，让我拿回家去练习。这使我深深体会到千百年来文人墨客咏歌赞美古琴，将美好的愿望寄托于琴，并以琴德喻人并不是无来由的。先生的一生正是体现子“心如霁月，济世树人”的一代宗师之风范。
　　不觉先生已离开我们1 3个年头，作为先生的学生，面对当前大众文化及物欲横流之风的冲击，自不敢懈怠，当为发展古琴艺术的事业而努力。这不仅有感于先生对古琴之热爱，对学生之关怀，也是一代琴人的责任。因为我深知：古琴——是融于琴人生命的乐器!

Yu Qingxin

Yu Qingxin is a disciple of the Wu-Qin School. She started learning the qin in 1977 with Prof. Li Xiangtin of the Central Conservatory. A year later, she continued her study with renowned Qin masters Prof. Wu Jinglue and Wu Wenguang. In 1984 she graduated with honour for her Batchlor’s degree. Since then she has been soloist of the Central Orchestra for Chinese Music. She is now the secretary-general of the Beijing Qin Society, and member of the Female Artists’ Association in Beijing.

Ms. Yu has given hundreds of concerts as qin soloist, performed numerous master pieces, appeared frequently on TV and radio as featured soloist, such as CCTV, National Radio Station and Beijing TV station, to mention but a few. Her qin playing was recorded by several record companies. In particular, the Taiwanese Fengchao Record Company has included her interpretation of Buddhist music and qin concertos in their famous collections.

In 1995, Ms. Yu initiated a project called “Chinese Elegant Music concert series” which has produced by far over a hundred concerts. She also organized the “Chinese Elegant Music Ensemble” which has enjoyed growing reputation for high-calibre concerts.

In 1996 Ms. Yu was invited to the traditional music festival in Taiwan. She performed in the USA as the only instrumentalist of the Female Artists Delegation. She also gave solo recital in Hong Kong and two successful tours in Japan. Her performance was highly acclaimed in the media both in China and abroad. In 1999, Ms. Yu received special award from the Ministry of Culture in China.

Ms. Yu has devoted herself to the promotion of Chinese traditional qin music. With her remarkable playing skill and delicate lyricism, she is able to transmit the beauty and elegance of this ancient musical tradition. Ms. Yu has also been studying ancient musical scores, aimed at restoring some of the lost pieces. She has successfully restored a few pieces including “shepherd’s song”, “shepherd’s flute”, “Li Shao”, and rearranged one piece called “Qu Yuan Wen Du”.