preface
Xian Xinghai is a famous Chinese musician who lost his father at an early age, went to Singapore with his mother in childhood, studied at Peking University, Shanghai National Conservatory of Music, and later went to Paris to study.
Songs such as "The Yellow River Chorus" and "Go to the Enemy's Rear" that he composed were widely circulated in the War of Resistance Against Japan, inspiring the determination of the Chinese people to resist the war to the end and having the power to shock people's hearts.
Picture 丨The famous Chinese musician Xian Xinghai
After he went to Yan'an, he had a lot of contact with Mao Zedong, and Mao Zedong also provided inspiration and conditions for Xian Xinghai's creation.
Art for the motherland, art for the people
On November 3, 1938, the 33-year-old Xian Xinghai came to Yan'an at the repeated invitation of the Lu Xun Art Institute in Yan'an and served as a composition teacher in the "Lu Yi" music department.
It was also here that Xian Xinghai began to see Mao Zedong frequently, and from then on began his creative process and story with Mao Zedong.
On December 9 of the same year, all walks of life in Yan'an held a commemorative meeting of "129" in the playground of the third team of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University.
Picture 丨LuYi Volleyball Court
Before the conference officially began, the angry Xian Xinghai taught everyone to sing the "129 Memorial Song", and just after teaching and singing it twice, Chairman Mao came to him.
He walked slowly to Xian Xinghai and shook hands with Xian Xinghai warmly, and then Chairman Mao pulled Xian Xinghai and others to sit on the rostrum together.
"Your name is Xian Xinghai, right?" Chairman Mao asked very politely.
"Yes, Sir." Xian Xinghai replied in surprise, "You are so busy, you can still know my name!" ”
"What Comrade Zhou Enlai said." Chairman Mao smiled and said, "You are making rapid progress; the revolutionary camp cannot be victorious without intellectuals, and in order to win, our intellectuals must also mingle with the workers, peasants, and soldiers." ”
As soon as the words turned, Chairman Mao said: "And musicians often start out as 'art for art's sake', and then gradually become 'art for the motherland', and when their thoughts and feelings change, they will develop into 'art for the people's sake' and become a communist music fighter, which is the people's musician." ”
Pictured: Chairman Mao Zedong in Yan'an
Soon after Chairman Mao and Xian Xinghai finished speaking, Li Gongpu, chairman of the congress, invited him to speak at the meeting.
Finally, under the command of Xian Xinghai, everyone sang the "129 Memorial Song" together, and the meeting ended with a majestic song.
The following spring, Chairman Mao and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued a call for a production movement.
At this moment, Xian Xinghai's old friend Xia Tong also came to Yan'an, and as soon as he met Xia Tong, he said to him: "Old classmate, the people have placed great hopes on you, and Chairman Mao is also very concerned about your progress!" ”
Looking at Xian Xinghai's shocked expression, Xia Tong continued: "Yesterday, after I reported to Chairman Mao on my work, he knew that you and I were old acquaintances, and he asked me to take you to see him, and he wanted to ask you some questions about music!" ”
Picture 丨 Young handsome, energetic Xian Xinghai
When Xian Xinghai and Xia Tong came to Chairman Mao's residence, Chairman Mao was clearing the land on the slope in front of the door, and when he saw Xian Xinghai coming, he put down the pickaxe in his hand, stretched out his right hand to wipe his body, and while shaking hands with Xian Xinghai, he said warmly: "Welcome, Comrade Xian Xinghai, the people's musician!" ”
Xian Xinghai asked in a smooth manner, "Chairman, you are taking care of every opportunity every day, and your work is so busy, how come you have started a wilderness?" ”
Chairman Mao first froze when he heard Xian Xinghai's words, and then smiled heartily: "The party Central Committee decided to open up wasteland production, and I also raised my hand, so why should I be an exception!" ”
At this time, Xia Tong interjected: "Chairman, on the issue of reclamation and production, Comrade Xinghai's views are a little different from yours!" ”
Chairman Mao walks on the main road in Yan'an
"Oh? It turned out to be so. Chairman Mao laughed: "If there are differences, it is good!" Comrade Xinghai, quickly talk about your different views. ”
When his old classmate said this, Xian Xinghai became a little embarrassed and said unnaturally: "You are the chairman, wouldn't it be more meaningful to consider more important matters of resisting Japan and saving the dead?" ”
"No! No! I can't agree with you. Chairman Mao waved his right hand and said, "Comrade Xinghai, it is of strategic significance to open up wasteland and produce. ”
"If we want to accomplish the great national task of resisting Japan and saving the dead, the first condition is to have food to eat, and the second condition is to have clothes to wear." Chairman Mao said as he invited Xian Xinghai and Xia Tong to sit down and talk.
Picture 丨The famous composer of modern China - Mr. Xian Xinghai
After everyone had found a place to do a good job, Chairman Mao continued, "Where did this grain and clothes come from?" Begging the Kuomintang government? They want us to starve to death and freeze to death early! ”
"We can't reach out to the common people, otherwise there is no difference between us and the landlords and the riches!"
"What to do? We can only do it, production self-help! Mao Zedong answered Xian Xinghai's question in his self-question and self-answer.
Chairman Mao saw that Xian Xinghai did not speak, as if he were pondering, so he continued: "Not only do I want to take the lead in opening up wasteland and cultivating land, but I also intend to ask you artists to participate in agricultural production." ”
Chairman Mao began to cheer Xian Xinghai up: "Because we want to surpass Tao Yuanming, the first poet to participate in agricultural production, who said in his poem: 'Grow beans down the mountain, and the grass is full of beans and seedlings.'" I believe that your teachers and students of Lu Yi must be much better than him!" ”
Xian Xinghai (the former one) participates in large-scale production labor
Xian Xinghai and Xia Tong couldn't help but laugh when they saw Mao Zedong talking funny.
At this time, Chairman Mao stood up and walked while saying: "I am a Hunan native, you two are Cantonese, planting rice is considered to be half an expert, but if you plant millet in Yan'an, you will become a complete layman, Comrade Xinghai, you will fish, plant rice, and then learn to grow millet, that is much smarter than Old Master Kong!" ”
Xian Xinghai originally had some ideas about everyone participating in the reclamation and production of wasteland, but now after listening to Chairman Mao's remarks, he said: "Chairman, I understand that after I go back, I will definitely take the lead in opening up the wasteland and strive to become a model of production." ”
"Good, good! That's right! Chairman Mao nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "Whether there is a precedent for composers to grow grain in Europe I don't know, but in our country it is a groundbreaking thing." ”
Picture 丨 Mao Zedong in 1938 in Yan'an cave dwelling
Chairman Mao suddenly said expectantly: "Of course, while you are growing grain, you must also actively produce spiritual grain, in other words: the people need the music you write even more!" Comrade Xinghai, write a song for the reclamation and production movement in Yan'an. ”
The people need the music you write more
They walked into Chairman Mao's secret cave together, and as soon as Xian Xinghai sat down, Xia Tong picked up the teapot and poured water.
Chairman Mao did not allow it, saying, "This is not okay!" The tradition of our ancestors did not say that the guests poured water for the host..."
Hearing Chairman Mao's words, Xia Tong said unhurriedly: "I seem to vaguely remember a sentence that Chairman Mao said: When our comrades go to work in a new place, they cannot go to work as guests, but they must be anti-guests. Is this true? ”
Picture 丨The famous pianist Xian Xinghai
"What was said, what was said..." Chairman Mao understood what Xia Tong meant, but he did say such a thing himself, and had no choice but to admit it.
Sure enough, Xia Tong said, "Chairman, then today I will also turn against the guests!" ”
"Your cleverness has been applied to me!" Chairman Mao laughed loudly, and then said to Xian Xinghai: "But this is also a kind of learning, that is, we need to study endlessly!" ”
Chairman Mao then said: "Comrade Xinghai, you are an expert in music, and I am a real music blind, at best a lover of music, from the point of view of materialistic dialectics, everything has a law to follow. ”
But I would like to ask you this question: "Judging from the history of Western music, the extent of an artist's achievements should be related to the establishment of his own national art school, right?" ”
Xian Xinghai and his wife Qian Yunling embraced their daughter
"Yes, it's very relevant." Xian Xinghai said: "The famous musicians in foreign countries almost all find their own national music schools in the music models of other countries, and there are some musicians who have been looking for music schools belonging to their own countries all their lives! ”
"Yes, yes, that's right!" Chairman Mao said joyfully, "Comrade Xinghai! I am afraid that the genre of art is subject to the conditions of the times, nationalities, regions and so on. ”
"Have you ever thought about how, through arduous creative practice, you can establish a scientific, national, and chinese music school that is popular with the vast number of workers, peasants, and soldiers?"
Shi Xinghai pondered for a while, nodded his head, and said, "This is a big topic, but your words have inspired me, in the future creative practice, I want to consciously strive to establish a music school of the Chinese nation!" ”
Xian Xinghai plays the piano
"Good! Very good! Chairman Mao said: "Theory is a summary of practice, and at the same time it gives guidance to practice." In any case, the birth of a school of thought is always based on the broadest social practice. ”
Chairman Mao finally smiled and said: "Without the industrial revolution in Europe, Marxism would not have been born; without a bourgeois revolution, I am afraid there would not have been us, and different national schools would not have been completely established artistically." ”
Listening to Chairman Mao's humorous words, Xian Xinghai and Xia Tong both smiled and nodded in agreement.
Mao Zedong went on to say: "Because of the weakness of the Chinese national bourgeoisie, the democratic revolution in China is very incomplete, and in the end we have to hand over the power to lead the revolution to our proletariat. ”
Picture 丨 Mao Zedong
Xian Xinghai felt that this question was very fresh, and he did not know how to answer it for a while.
Suddenly, Mao Zedong stood up, waved his hands, and said, "Comrade Xinghai, let me give you an example!" ”
"After the May Fourth New Culture Movement, there were roughly three major factions in the Chinese literary circles: the literature of the masses of the people represented by Hu Shi who believed that the moon in foreign countries was rounder than in China; the literature of the masses of the people represented by Lin Shu, represented by Lin Shu, who believed that all ancient Chinese cultures were good; and the literature of the masses of the people, represented by Lu Xun, who wanted to create a new era in China."
Picture 丨 Mao Zedong spoke at Lu Yi in 1938
Chairman Mao suddenly asked, "We have inherited the tradition of Lu Xun and created a new proletarian culture, but how can we fight against those imported cultures for a long time?" ”
At this point, Xian Xinghai fully understood the meaning of Mao Zedong's words, he pondered for a moment, and then said: "Then we must create the music that the people need, and we must create the music school that belongs to our China!" ”
"Exactly." Mao Zedong raised his voice: "If China wants to revolutionize, it must introduce Marxism. ”
As if feeling a little agitated, Mao Zedong slowed down his voice: "If we want to create a Chinese music school, I am afraid that we must also introduce Western music technology, but we must oppose artistic dogmatism and create a Chinese music school!" ”
In 1939, Xian Xinghai created in a cave dwelling in Yan'an
At this time, the guard walked in and asked Mao Zedong if he wanted to prepare a meal, and Mao Zedong said: "Today there are distinguished guests coming, we must prepare two more meals, plus an extra plate of fried shredded meat, an egg soup." ”
Xian Xinghai heard Chairman Mao's words and said embarrassedly: "Chairman, I will be uneasy in this way, and from now on I will..."
Xia Tong continued Xian Xinghai's words and said, "When I am hungry, I will come to the Chairman's house as a guest!" ”
Chairman Mao laughed and said, "It seems that politicians and artists are not the same!" Comrade Xia Tong, if you act as an observer again..."
"I'm not allowed to eat that plate of stir-fried shredded meat, right?" Xia Tong answered again preemptively.
Xia Tong's words directly made Xian Xinghai and Mao Zedong laugh.
Chairman Mao Zedong speaks
Soon after the conversation with Chairman Mao, Xian Xinghai cooperated with Seck to create the "Production Chorus", and from then on, the song "In February, the scenery is good, and every household is busy farming" was circulated in Yan'an, and even Chairman Mao listened very comfortably.
On May 4, 1939, all walks of life in Yan'an held the 20th anniversary of the "May Fourth" Movement and the first Chinese Youth Day celebration conference.
At the meeting, Chairman Mao made a report on "The Direction of the Youth Movement," and Xian Xinghai also attended the meeting and directed everyone to sing the "Production Chorus" after the meeting.
On March 31 of this year, Xian Xinghai finally completed the creation of the legendary work "Yellow River Chorus" after 6 days of intense work.
Picture丨 In 1939, Xian Xinghai conducted the LuYi Choir to rehearse "Yellow River Chorus"
On the evening of May 11, "Lu Yi" held its first concert to commemorate the anniversary, which was the first official performance of "Yellow River Chorus", and coincidentally, Chairman Mao also came to the scene that night.
When Xian Xinghai usually conducted everyone to sing this song, the requirements were quite strict.
Therefore, when the choir of more than 100 people walked to the performance stage under the leadership of Xian Xinghai, it immediately showed an atmosphere and prestige.
Then, with the accompaniment of the orchestra, Xian Xinghai directed everyone to sing the "Yellow River Chorus".
The majestic momentum, the melody of the ups and downs, the sometimes mournful, the sometimes roaring, deeply touched Chairman Mao's soul, and he almost heard the point of immersion.
Figure丨The current "Lu Xun Art and Literature College"
Therefore, when the chorus was all sung, Chairman Mao suddenly jumped up from his seat and praised him with great excitement: "Good! Good! Good! ......”
On this night, Xian Xinghai could not suppress his excitement and wrote in his diary:
Tonight's chorus is truly an unprecedented musical evening in China. There are several very touching songs in it: first, "Yellow River Boatman Song"; second, "Defend the Yellow River"; third, "Roar! Yellow River"; IV. "Ballad of Yellow Water".
When we finished singing, Chairman Mao jumped up and said a few times excitedly, "Good! ”。 I will never forget what happened tonight.
On June 14, 1939, Xian Xinghai was absorbed into the Communist Party of China.
Figure 丨 Xian Xinghai
Three months later, when the National Consolation Labor Federation North Road Consolation Group passed by, all walks of life in Yan'an held a welcome party, Chairman Mao personally delivered a welcome speech, and Xian Xinghai once again conducted the choir to sing "The Yellow River Chorus."
This time, this magnificent "Yellow River Chorus" was spread directly throughout the motherland under the spread of the Communists!
Someone even commented in the newspapers of the time: "A chorus of songs can top a hundred thousand Mauser guns." ”
In order to commemorate the eighth anniversary of "918", Xian Xinghai created a new work "918 Chorus" with full patriotic enthusiasm.
Tu 丨 LuYi Music Work Group sang anti-war songs to the masses in the streets
Therefore, on September 28, after Chairman Mao held a grand evening party to entertain Chinese and foreign guests and personally delivered a welcome speech, Xian Xinghai not only conducted the "Yellow River Chorus", but also conducted the "918 Chorus".
Two months later, Xian Xinghai commemorated the October Revolution and arranged the song and dance live newspaper drama "Celebrating the October Revolution Festival" choreographed and directed by his friends, and Mao Zedong listened to Xian Xinghai's composition again.
Therefore, chairman Mao often watched programs created and directed by Xian Xinghai for a period of time in Yan'an.
From January 4 to 12, 1940, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Cultural Association held its first congress in the auditorium of Yan'an Women's University.
The Luyi Music Work Troupe performed for the masses in the street
Chairman Mao delivered "The Politics of New Democracy and the Culture of New Democracy" at this congress, while Xian Xinghai reported on the musical situation in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
It was also at this congress that Xian Xinghai, Chairman Mao, and others were elected as members of the Executive Committee of the Cultural Association.
Chairman Mao invited the musicians to eat chicken
One day in May 1940, Zhou Yang conveyed to Xian Xinghai the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to send him to the Soviet Union for an inspection, and said to him: "Before dinner, Chairman Mao invited you to Yangjialing for a visit, and the chairman also said: You must take Qian Yunling and your 'honey fruit' little Nina. ”
When Xian Xinghai came to Mao Zedong's residence with his wife Qian Yunling and daughter Nina, Chairman Mao was very happy, and after a while, Yuan Muzhi came out.
Picture 丨 "Yellow River Chorus" premiere band 16 people group photo
Chairman Mao said: "Comrade Xinghai, do you have any difficulties in going to the Soviet Union?" ”
Xian Xinghai smiled, "I haven't thought about the difficulties yet, but... I'm afraid I won't be able to complete the task. ”
"Do you speak Russian?" Chairman Mao then asked.
Xian Xinghai and Yuan Muzhi replied in unison, "What we can learn, Chairman." Mao Zedong nodded.
The guards heard that Mao Zedong invited artists abroad for dinner, and specially went to his hometown to buy a chicken, and when the dish of "chicken offal fried peppers" was brought to the table, Mao Zedong smiled: "The peppers are very good, I can eat more rice." ”
Figure 丨 "Yellow River Chorus" music score
Xian Xinghai knew that chicken was also a good dish in Yan'an, so he used chopsticks to tear a piece of chicken and put it in Mao Zedong's bowl, and Mao Zedong laughed and said, "Isn't this a hustle and bustle?" ”
After dinner, Mao Zedong again instructed Xian Xinghai and Yuan Muzhi: "At present, only the Kuomintang and the Soviet Union have diplomatic relations, and you will be handled by the United Front Work Department when you go to Xi'an, but your passport should not write your real name, because you are a member of the Communist Party..."
Xian Xinghai stared at Mao Zedong's face and listened very seriously.
At this time, Qian Yunling listened to Chairman Mao's words and suddenly gained something, she pulled Xian Xinghai's arm and whispered, "I thought of an idea, your name can follow your mother's surname, follow my mother's name, and rise up to be Huang Xun." ”
Picture Xian Xinghai and his wife Qian Yunling
Although she spoke very softly, Chairman Mao had already heard it, and he immediately said loudly: "It is very good, just call it by this name." ”
Mao Zedong's dinner for Xian Xinghai left a deep impression on Xian Xinghai.
Two days later, Xian Xinghai and Yuan Muzhi set off for the Soviet Union.
However, more than two months after the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, that is, on October 30, 1945, Xian Xinghai died in Moscow at the age of 39 due to ineffective medical treatment.
As the bad news spread to Yan'an, all walks of life were shaken.
Chairman Mao took the telegram sent from Moscow, pondered for a long time, and then called the correspondent and said in a heavy tone: "Inform Lu Yi that Comrade Xian Xinghai has died in Moscow; according to the original plan, postpone the move by one day and hold a memorial meeting." ”
Pictured: Premier Zhou Enlai inscribed an inscription on Xian Xinghai
On November 14, The Lu Xun Art Institute in Yan'an held a grand memorial meeting for Xian Xinghai.
Chairman Mao Zedong wrote down the title of Comrade Xian Xinghai in his own handwriting: "Condolences for the people's musician Comrade Xian Xinghai."
Mr. Yao Shixiao, a playwright who was Xian Xinghai's colleague in "LuYi" before his death, said: "After Xian Xinghai came to Yan'an, Chairman Mao attached great importance to him!"
Moreover, after listening to the "Yellow River Chorus" for the first time, Chairman Mao excitedly jumped up from his seat and shouted: Such a work is so good! It should be sent to the front line to perform, which can inspire the people to resist Japan. ”
Picture 丨 Xian Xinghai Comrade Pictorial
Finally, according to Mr. Xian Xinghai's article "The Process of Creating < National Symphony >", his "National Symphony" was intended to be dedicated to Chairman Mao.
In it, he wrote:
I sincerely contribute this work to the great people's leader, Comrade Mao Zedong.
He is the savior of the nation I most admire, and the path he has indicated is correct, and only in this way can we save China and save the entire nation from peril!