Yellow River Cantata
| Yellow River Cantata | |
|---|---|
| by Sinn Sing Hoi | |
 |
|
| Native name | Chinese: 保卫黄河; pinyin: Bǎowèi huánghé |
| Year | 1939 |
| Period | 20th-century |
| Genre | Cantata |
| Text | Yellow River by Guang Weiran |
| Language | Chinese |
| Composed | 26 March 1939–31 March 1939: |
| Published |
|
| Movements | 7 to 9 |
| Solo | bass, tenor, baritone, soprano |
| Vocal | Full SATB choir |
| Instrumental | Western orchestra, some Chinese instruments |
| Premiere | |
| Date | April 13, 1939 |
| Location | Shanbei Gongxue Hall, Yan'an, Republic of China |
| Conductor | Wu Xiling |
| Performers | Choir of 40 people, orchestra |
The Yellow River Cantata (Chinese: 保卫黄河; pinyin: Bǎowèi huánghé) is a cantata by Chinese composer Sinn Sing Hoi (1905–1945). Composed in Yan'an in early 1939 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the work was inspired by a patriotic poem by Guang Weiran, which was also adapted as the lyrics. Premiered on April 13 of the same year in the Shanbei Gongxue Hall of Yan'an, the work soon spread to all parts of China.
According to official accounts by the Communist Party of China, after the Chinese city of Wuhan fell to Japanese invaders in November 1938, the poet Guang Weiran led the 3rd Squad of the Anti-Enemy Troupe across the Yellow River near the Hukou Waterfall and eastwards into the communist anti-Japanese headquarters in Lüliang Mountains. During his journey, he witnessed the local boatmen battle against heavy gales and torrential waves, and heard their spirit-lifting songs.
Upon reaching Yan'an in January 1939, Guang wrote a patriotic poem entitled Yellow River and recited it during the Chinese New Year celebration. The poem spoke of the oppression of Chinese people under the invaders and called for all to take up arms to defend China. Sinn Sing Hoi, who received his education at the Conservatoire de Paris and returned to China in 1935, was also present at the recital. He went on to write a cantata based on the poem.
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