Role

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Composer

Genre

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Vocal

 

Liu Xuean, also known as Yan Ru, was a Chinese composer of classical music. He was born on December 28, 1926, in Shanghai, China. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, Liu Xuean showed a great interest in music and began studying piano and composition. In 1945, Liu Xuean enrolled in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition under the guidance of renowned composer Ding Shande. During his time at the conservatory, Liu Xuean was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including Western classical music, Chinese traditional music, and folk music. After graduating from the conservatory in 1950, Liu Xuean began working as a composer for the Shanghai Film Studio. He composed music for a number of films, including "The White-Haired Girl," which became one of the most popular films in China's history. In the 1960s, Liu Xuean became interested in incorporating elements of Chinese traditional music into his compositions. He began studying traditional Chinese instruments, such as the erhu and pipa, and incorporating their sounds into his orchestral works. This fusion of Western and Chinese musical styles became a hallmark of Liu Xuean's music. One of Liu Xuean's most famous works is his "Yellow River Cantata," which he composed in 1969. The cantata is based on a poem by Guang Weiran, which tells the story of the Yellow River and its importance to the Chinese people. The work features a large chorus, soloists, and orchestra, and incorporates elements of Chinese folk music and Western classical music. The "Yellow River Cantata" became immensely popular in China and is still performed frequently today. Another notable work by Liu Xuean is his "Symphony No. 1," which he composed in 1978. The symphony is a tribute to the Chinese people and their struggles during the Cultural Revolution. The work features a large orchestra and incorporates elements of Chinese traditional music, including the use of the sheng, a traditional Chinese wind instrument. Throughout his career, Liu Xuean composed a wide range of music, including operas, ballets, and chamber music. He was known for his ability to blend Western and Chinese musical styles in a way that was both innovative and accessible. Liu Xuean received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to Chinese music. In 1985, he was awarded the National Prize for Art and Literature, the highest honor for artists in China. He was also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body in China. Liu Xuean passed away on December 31, 1995, at the age of 69. His legacy as a composer and innovator in Chinese music continues to be celebrated today.

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