Role

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Composer

Genre

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Chamber

 

Lu Pei was a Chinese composer who was born on December 31, 1914, in the city of Shanghai. He was the youngest of six children in his family, and his father was a successful businessman. From a young age, Lu Pei showed a great interest in music, and he began studying the piano when he was just six years old. Lu Pei's family was very supportive of his musical pursuits, and they encouraged him to continue studying music throughout his childhood. He attended the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where he studied composition with the renowned composer He Luting. He also studied piano with the famous pianist and composer Ding Shande. After graduating from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1935, Lu Pei began working as a composer and music teacher. He taught at several schools in Shanghai, including the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and he also worked as a composer for the Shanghai Film Studio. In 1949, Lu Pei moved to Beijing, where he became a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music. He continued to compose music throughout his career, and he became known for his innovative use of Chinese folk music in his compositions. One of Lu Pei's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1957. The symphony is based on Chinese folk music, and it incorporates traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu and the pipa. The symphony was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it helped to establish Lu Pei as one of China's leading composers. Lu Pei continued to compose music throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and he became known for his operas and ballets. One of his most famous works from this period is his opera The White-Haired Girl, which he composed in 1964. The opera tells the story of a young girl who is forced to work as a slave by a wealthy landlord, and it became a symbol of the struggle against oppression in China. In addition to his work as a composer, Lu Pei was also a respected musicologist. He wrote several books on Chinese music, including A History of Chinese Music and Chinese Music in the 20th Century. He was also a member of the Chinese Musicians' Association and the Chinese Writers' Association. Lu Pei continued to compose music and teach at the Central Conservatory of Music until his death in 1994. He left behind a legacy of innovative and influential compositions that continue to be performed and studied today.

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