XIAN Xinghai

Born in Macao, June 13, 1905
Died in Moscow, Oct 30, 1945

Note that Xian is the composer’s surname. It is appropriate to refer to him as Xian Xinghai or Xian, not just Xinghai.

Pronunciation

• Xian studied at multiple Chinese conservatories, and also studied in France with d’Indy and Dukas.
• Xian was associated with the Communist party’s reformist or revolutionary school of composers, who emphasized nationalistic compositions and the use of Chinese folk music, rather than imitation of Western music.
• In the late 30s Xian was head of music at the Lu Xun College of the Arts. From 1940 until his death in 1945, he was based in the Soviet Union.¹

Biography from the Cultural Institute of Macao

1. Jonathan P.J. Stock, “Xian Xinghai,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed May 19, 2022, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000049320.