Xian Xinghai

Xian Xinghai or Sinn Sing Hoi (; Yale Romanization: Syǎn Syīng-Hǎi; 13 June 1905 – 30 October 1945) was a Chinese composer. He was among the first composers in his country to draw on western classical music and has influenced many later Chinese musicians. Xian composed in the major musical forms (two symphonies, a violin concerto, four large scale choral works, nearly 300 songs and an opera), and is best known for the Yellow River Cantata upon which the Yellow River Piano Concerto is based. parents whose ancestors were from Panyu, Guangdong. He moved frequently in his early life with his mother as his father had died before Xian was born. That year, Xian went to the Soviet Union to compose the score of the documentary film Yan'an and the Eighth Route Army. Production Cantata, Op. 8 (1939) Suite No. 4 "Man Jiang Hong", Op. 15 (1943) Symphony No. 2 "Holy War", Op. 17 (1943) Chinese Rhapsody, Op. 26 (1945)

Personal life Xian developed pulmonary tuberculosis due to overwork and malnutrition. After the war, Xian returned to Moscow for medical treatment but died of pulmonary disease on 30 October 1945 at the age of 40.

In May 2019, a movie titled The Composer directed by Xierzhati Yahefu was released. The movie relates Xian's life story from 1941, when he was in Moscow, to his death in 1945.

The National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing presented his life as a contemporary dance drama.

Memorials

Both the Xinghai Conservatory of Music and the Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou are named after Xian. A statue of Xian has been erected in People's Park of central Guangzhou. A 3-meter-high statue of Xian was erected at the intersection of Avenida Xian Xing Hai and Rua de Berlim streets in Macau to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. The avenue Avenida Xian Xing Hai in Macau is named after him. A street in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is named after Xian Xinghai.