Zheng Lücheng
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Zheng Lücheng (Chinese: 郑律成; Korean: 정률성, Kwangju; 13 August 1918 – 7 December 1976) was a Korea-born Chinese composer of Korean ethnicity. He is most notable for having composed the music to the Military Anthem of the People's Liberation Army, to words by Gong Mu (公木; real name: Zhang Yongnian; Chinese: 张永年).[1][2]
Early life
Zheng was born Cheong Buk'un (鄭富恩) in the South Jeolla Province of what is now South Korea in either 1914 or 1918. Official records show his year of birth at 1918, but it is believed he may have concealed his age to maintain cover as an agent in Nanjing.[citation needed]
In 1933, Zheng moved to Nanjing, China, where he became associated with the Korean-Chinese anti-Japanese invasion movement and then with the communists.
Career
In 1937, in Yan'an, Zheng composed the song which was to become the military anthem of the People's Liberation Army.
In 1945, Zheng returned to Korea or, precisely, North Korea, where he worked as chief of the North Korean army's band and taught music at Pyongyang University. Zheng wrote the anthem of the North Korean Army, Tumen River, East Sea Fisherman and other songs. After the outbreak of Korean War, Zheng returned to China, where he composed many works including a Chinese-language Western-style opera, Cloud Gazing based on a story of the Bai people.
Personal life
Zheng's wife was China's first female ambassador, Ding Xuesong.[3]
In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, Zhou Enlai — having been petitioned by Zheng's Chinese wife, Ding Xuesong — personally wrote to Kim Il Sung requesting that Zheng returns to China for work. Kim agreed; and, in 1950, Zheng obtained Chinese nationality.[4]
References
- ^ Le pouvoir en chantant: L'art de fabriquer une musique chinoise - Volume 1 Sabine Trébinjac - 2000 "Zheng Lücheng' (1918-1976), reconnu comme compositeur, était également pianiste, violoniste et chanteur. Il arriva à Yan'an en octobre 1957 où il commença par enseigner l'art de la musique vocale. Il est l'auteur de «Louange de Yan'an», ..."
- ^ Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Women - Volume 2 - Page 145 Lily Xiao Hong Lee, A. D. Stefanowska, Sue Wiles - 2003 "... situation of their conflicting nationalities by returning to China, where Zheng Lücheng took out Chinese citizenship. ... PRC, Zheng Lücheng was active in his work as a composer; he wrote the music for the Western-style opera Cloud Gazing."
- ^ "Ding Xuesong: la première ambassadrice de la Chine nouvelle". French.china.org.cn. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ Zheng Lücheng: Thoroughly into Factories and the Countryside 28 Sep 2012 "Ding Xuesong, with help by a letter written by the ambassador to Chief State Councillor Zhou Enlai, asked for both her and Zheng's return to China, plus requesting a renewal "
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
- People's Republic of China composers
- Chinese male classical composers
- Chinese opera composers
- Chinese people of Korean descent
- Male opera composers
- 1918 births
- 1976 deaths
- Republic of China musicians
- Korean emigrants to China
- Naturalized citizens of the People's Republic of China
- People from South Jeolla Province
- 20th-century composers
- 20th-century Chinese musicians
- 20th-century male musicians