This micro-exhibition will review the creation process of the movie "Children of the Storm" and the theme song "March of the Volunteer Army" for the audience.
In the autumn of 1934, Dentsu, a left-wing film shooting base, had just finished filming "Peach and Plum Robbery". The main creative staff gathered at the home of manager Ma Dejian to discuss the filming of the second film, and Tian Han promised to create a film reflecting the Great Wall War of Resistance, reflecting the awakening of intellectuals from bitterness and wandering, and bravely marching to the front line of the anti-Japanese resistance.
In the winter of the same year, Tian Han created the story synopsis of the film "Children of the Wind and Clouds" in a simple pavilion in Xuhui District, originally titled "The Rebirth of the Phoenix". He wrote at the end of the play: "Rise up, those who do not want to be slaves, build our new Great Wall with flesh and blood." ...... We are all united and brave the enemy's artillery planes to advance!"
Before the script was finished, Tian Han was arrested and imprisoned for propagating anti-Japanese ideas. Xia Yan changed the synopsis of the movie story of "Children of the Storm" written by Tian Han into a stage script.
Nie Er was indignant about the arrest of Tian Han and other left-wing literary and art workers, and at the same time aroused his creative passion. He took the initiative to find Xia Yan and asked to take on the task of composing the "March of the Volunteer Army". Without waiting for Xia Yan to answer, Nie Er reached out his hand to shake hands with Xia Yan, "I do it!" Leave it to me. And added in an affirmative tone: "Mr. Tian will definitely agree." ”
Nie Er got the script, and the sonorous and powerful words slapped his heart. "Get up!" This is the kind of lyrics he wants to sound the horn of the revolution! Patriotic passion rushes in the chest, and a majestic and passionate melody emerges from the heart.
Nie Er composed the music all night and completed the first draft at the end of March 1935. Excited, Nie Er quickly found a place to audition. Because the residence was too small, he often visited Situ Huimin's house and sang "Up" over and over again to modify the details of the score.
At this time, the situation was getting more and more tense, the score had not yet been finalized, and Nie Er was in danger of being arrested. In order to protect and cultivate Nie Er, who was young and rich in musical talent, the party organization decided to send him abroad to study, and he was transferred from Japan to the Soviet Union.
Before going abroad, Nie Er went to dentsu's studio on Jingzhou Road, practiced singing with everyone, and listened carefully to the revision opinions of Situ Huimin and Zhang Yunqiao.
On April 15, 1935, Nie Er boarded an ocean-going cruise ship bound for Japan. Feeling what he saw and heard in a foreign land, Nie Er continued to capture creative inspiration, completed the revision of the score, and at the end of April sent the final draft of the score to Sun Shiyi and Situ Huimin of Shanghai Dentsu Company.
Nie Er had several minor changes to the original lyrics. In order to enhance the strength of the song, Nie Er and Sun Shiyi discussed and made changes: "Up" increased from two to three, further strengthening the mood; at the end of the original lyrics, "Forward!" advance! The word "jin" was added later, which made people feel that the song was progressive layer by layer, showing the sons and daughters of China going forward and bravely moving forward.
On May 3, 1935, in the recording studio of the EMI Records Company in Xujiahui, Shanghai, Ren Guang, the director of the music department, recorded songs for the "Choir of Seven" formed by Situ Huimin, Shi Chao, Zheng Junli, Gu Menghe, Sheng Jialun, Jin Shan, and Yuan Muzhi of Dentsu Company.
Today, we have learned about the songwriting process and the story behind the national anthem "March of the Volunteer Army". In the next issue, we will talk about the release of the movie "Children of the Storm" and the spread of "March of the Volunteer Army" from domestic to international, so stay tuned!
Edit: Zhang Tianyi
Source: National Anthem Exhibition Hall