Li Yannian

Who was Li Yannian?

Li Yannian was a Chinese musician during the Han Dynasty. Born into a musical family, he became a court musician during Emperor Wu’s reign.

His most famous composition was the song Jiarenqu, describing a lady with exceptional beauty. Upon hearing this song, the Emperor did not believe there could be such woman on earth, but his sister Princess Pingyang mentioned Li has a younger sister who could match the description, so Emperor Wu took Li’s sister Li Furen as a concubine. Li Yannian himself allegedly had a homosexual relationship with Emperor Wu. When Emperor re-established the Imperial Music Bureau, Li Yannian was appointed the Chief Musician.

After the death of his sister, Yannian’s family began to lose Wu’s favour. In 82 BC much of the Li family was executed on multiple charges, including treason. According to one source, Li was executed in 90 BC during a struggle between the Li family and Empress Wei’s family.