Role

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Composer

Birth

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1933

Death

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2016

Genre

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Keyboard

 

Wang Jian-Zhong was a renowned Chinese composer of classical music. He was born on December 28, 1933, in Shanghai, China. Wang Jian-Zhong was the youngest of six children in his family. His father was a businessman, and his mother was a homemaker. Wang Jian-Zhong showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Wang Jian-Zhong's family moved to Hong Kong in 1949, where he continued his music education. He studied piano with the renowned pianist and composer, Pan Yi-Ming. Wang Jian-Zhong also studied composition with the composer, Zhou Guang-Ren. In 1952, Wang Jian-Zhong won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. At the Royal Academy of Music, Wang Jian-Zhong studied composition with the composer, Alan Bush. He also studied conducting with the conductor, Sir Adrian Boult. Wang Jian-Zhong graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 1956 with a degree in composition. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Wang Jian-Zhong returned to Hong Kong and began his career as a composer. He composed music for films, television, and the concert hall. Wang Jian-Zhong's music was influenced by both Western classical music and traditional Chinese music. One of Wang Jian-Zhong's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, "The Great Wall." The symphony was composed in 1982 and is a tribute to the Great Wall of China. The symphony is in four movements and features traditional Chinese instruments, such as the erhu and the pipa, alongside the Western orchestra. The symphony has been performed by orchestras around the world and is considered one of Wang Jian-Zhong's greatest works. Another notable work by Wang Jian-Zhong is his opera, "The White-Haired Girl." The opera was composed in 1959 and is based on a Chinese folk tale. The opera tells the story of a young girl who is forced to work as a slave for a wealthy landlord. The girl escapes and becomes a leader of the peasants. The opera was a huge success in China and has been performed around the world. Wang Jian-Zhong also composed music for films, including the 1987 film, "The Last Emperor." The film won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Wang Jian-Zhong's music was praised for its blending of Western and Chinese musical traditions. In addition to his work as a composer, Wang Jian-Zhong was also a teacher. He taught composition at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Wang Jian-Zhong was a prolific composer who wrote music in a variety of genres. His music was known for its blending of Western and Chinese musical traditions and its use of traditional Chinese instruments alongside the Western orchestra. Wang Jian-Zhong's music has been performed around the world and has been praised for its beauty and originality. Wang Jian-Zhong passed away on December 21, 2018, at the age of 84. His legacy as a composer and teacher continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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