UNDERSTANDING THE OTHER. ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF CHINESE MUSICAL CULTURE RESEARCH

Introduction. This article examines the origins and evolution of research on Chinese music studies, encompassing works in Russian, Chinese, and European languages. The study's relevance stems from the growing scholarly interest in Chinese music within the context of globalization and the need to systematize disparate academic works. Its scientific novelty lies in the comprehensive analysis of methodological approaches and interpretations, as well as in identifying key trends in the study of Chinese musical traditions. Content. The research employs comparative-historical and bibliographic methods to systematize sources chronologically, by linguistic origin, and according to academic schools. Particular attention is given to works by Western scholars, Chinese and Soviet musicologists, as well as contemporary studies in the field of musical traditions of China. The analysis focuses on methodological differences in approaches to studying Chinese music, including ethnomusicological, cultural, and historical aspects. Conclusions. The study demonstrates that early Western scholarship laid the foundation for the study of Chinese music, while contemporary research is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach. A notable gap in systematic bibliographic reviews has been identified, underscoring the importance of this article for future research. Chinese music studies are evolving toward deeper analysis of cultural and philosophical contexts, opening new perspectives for comparative studies of Eastern and Western musical traditions.