Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will launch a lecture series entitled “Shanghai, Shanghai – A Reminiscence of Chinese Pop” from October to November. The six-lecture series, curated and hosted by Dr Jim Chang, will take audiences to revisit the Chinese popular songs (or “shidaiqu”) that emerged and flourished in Shanghai from the 1920s to 1940s and remain popular nowadays, along with their iconic figures, through concise and easily comprehensible explanations. Accompanied by classic song sharing, the programme will also elaborate on the cultural ties between Shanghai and Hong Kong’s popular music scenes.
Details of each lecture are as follows:
Lecture 1: Li Jinhui and the “Minyue Concert”
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Date: October 21 (Tuesday)
Li Jinhui, hailed as the “Father of Chinese Popular Music”, introduced a novel genre of “sinofied jazz” to China and composed “Drizzle” (or “Mao Mao Yu”), which has been described as “the first Chinese popular song”. He also established the song and dance troupe Minyue Concert, which became a cradle for a generation of musical and cinematic stars. The speaker will introduce this great musician and his troupe, and explore their influences on the creation and development of Chinese popular music.
Lecture 2: Li Jinguang and his “Tuberose”
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Date: October 28 (Tuesday)
The “Tuberose”, composed and written by Li Jinguang, renowned as the “King of Song”, and originally sung by Li Hsiang-lan, has become a timeless hit across China and beyond with its ethereal melodies. Famous singers, including Teresa Teng, have covered this classic. The speaker will guide the audience through the fascinating origins of this evergreen masterpiece.
Lecture 3: The Romance of Chen Gexin
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Date: November 4 (Tuesday)
Chen Gexin, renowned Shanghai composer-lyricist, created timeless classics including “Rose, Rose, I love You”, “Everlasting Smile”, “Shanghai By Night”, “Gong Xi Gong Xi”, and more. The speaker will lead audiences to look back at the life of the “Immortal of Song”, whose brief 40-year lifespan left an indelible mark on old Shanghai’s popular music scene.
Lecture 4: Engrossing Shanghai Tunes
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Date: November 11 (Tuesday)
In the early 20th century, Shanghai’s music scene groomed countless renowned artists, laying the foundation for a distinguished style named “Hai pai” (Shanghai-style) in the new era. By the 1940s, artists from different backgrounds, such as the Li (Li Jinhui) School, academic schools and the Japanese War of Resistance composers, together made contributions to create a glorious decade for the popular music of old Shanghai. In this lecture, the speaker will give an overview of the music development of this period, and introduce several beloved masterpieces.
Lecture 5: The Gorgeous Li Hsiang-lan
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Date: November 19 (Wednesday)
Coloratura soprano Li Hsiang-lan was one of the Shanghai’s “seven great singing queens” in the 1940s. Her family background, identity and growth experiences made her life truly legendary. The speaker will guide audiences to walk through the first half of the extraordinary journey of her life as a “beauty among beauties”, and to appreciate her alluring voice back in the old Shanghai period.
Lecture 6: A Tale of Two Cities
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Date: November 25 (Tuesday)
In the 1940s and 1950s, many Shanghai entrepreneurs, intellectuals and musicians moved to Hong Kong, including famous composers Li Houxiang, Yao Min, and Wang Fu-ling, bringing along the Shanghai soundscape to the city. The speaker will explore their profound impact on the development of Hong Kong’s popular music culture.
Dr Chang joined the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra as a sheng musician after graduation from university. He has been the President of the Hong Kong Library Association, and retired as the Chief Librarian of the Hong Kong Central Library. Dr Chang is currently a part-time lecturer in the Academy of Music of Hong Kong Baptist University and the Honorary Artist-in-Residence in the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts of the Education University of Hong Kong.
All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will start at 7.30pm in AC2, Level 4, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings and concessionary schemes, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1877.html.