Creative Research in Contemporary Composition Inspired by Dunhuang Musical Heritage

บทคัดย่อ

This research consists purposes were 1. to investigate the historical evidence of musical instruments and compositions depicted in Dunhuang murals and manuscripts and 2. to develop a creative practice framework for transforming this heritage into contemporary composition, using *Qingbei Yue* as a case study. The research adopts a qualitative methodology with the integration of ethnomusicology, musicology and cultural studies in the context of a creative practice paradigm. Data collection methods include document analysis, iconographic analysis of the Dunhuang murals and musical analysis of Dunhuang Pipa Score (P.3808). The findings reveal that the Dunhuang music heritage embodies a fusion of multicultural elements, with the pipa as the core instrument, along with unique musical features such as pentatonic modal systems, flexible rhythm patterns and expressive melodic lines. Based on these, a four-phase model of creative practice was developed: selection of musical elements, transcription and interpretation, compositional development and production. The case study validates the feasibility of transforming historical musical materials into contemporary compositions in a systematic way, while preserving cultural identity. This study contributes an interdisciplinary and practical model for linking historical musical evidence with contemporary creative practice, and to the fields of ethnomusicology and contemporary music composition.