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Renowned Chinese composer Wut Man-chung (1942-1992) wrote a range of well-known compositions from the 1970s to the early 1990s, including notable pieces such as "Ambush on All Sides", "Princess Ch'ang P'ing Fantasy Overture", "The Pamir Capriccio Op. 21", "3 pieces of Cantonese folklore" and "Huang Shan, the magnificent mountain". His family has generously donated his music score manuscripts, trophies, records and other collections to the Hong Kong Music Collection of the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL).
The "Exhibition of Wut Man-chung's Works" will be on display from tomorrow (January 4) until March 31 at the Arts Resource Centre on the 10th floor of the HKCL for the public to appreciate this talented composer's musical journey.
Officiating at today's (January 3) opening ceremony at the Lecture Theatre of the HKCL were the Deputy Director (Culture) of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Chung Ling-hoi, and Wut's wife, Ms Wong Sau-kit. Other guests included Mr Chow Fan-fu, Mr Huang Ying and one of Wut's students, Dr Mui Kwong-chiu.
At the ceremony Ms Wong Sau-kit, Dr Ho Pak-cheong, Ms Pancy Wong and Mr Albert Kwong, accompanied by the Tien Ma Chorus, performed Wut's "The Pamir Capriccio Op. 21", "Four Poems by Li Bai Op. 17" including "Bai Yun Ge" and "Xing Lu Nan", as well as works by Dr Mui Kwong-chiu ¡ª "Nin Xie" and "Picking Lotus" to pay tribute to the maestro.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chung said that Wut dedicated his whole life to music and education and contributed greatly to the local music scene. He said that Wut's music is noted for its strong ethnic style and that he wrote a wide range of music appealing to different audiences. In addition, Wut strived to educate younger musicians, he added.
Mr Chung said that the Hong Kong Music Collection of the HKCL was established in 2001 to collect Hong Kong music documents systemically and provide valuable information and materials for local music research. Noting that HKCL and the Hong Kong Music Collection recently celebrated their 10th anniversary, Mr Chung added that the retrospective exhibition on the maestro's musical journey and achievements was taking place at an appropriate time.
He also thanked Wut's family for their support and generous donation to the Collection.
Wut Man-chung was born in Guilin, Guangxi. At the age of five, he moved with his parents to Beijing, where began his lifelong musical journey. Wut wrote his first nursery song, "Zao Zao Qi", when he was eight. He entered the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing in 1960. Owing to the Cultural Revolution when he graduated, he had been placed to work in the Tianjin Gegu farm and later worked as resident composer of the China Railway Art Troupe, a position that provided him with the opportunity to travel to remote parts of the country. During his travels he came into contact with traditional Chinese music and folk songs ¡ª both of which helped to shape his unique musical style.
Wut migrated to Hong Kong with his family in 1975. Over a span of about 10 years, he wrote many popular pieces of music which won him honour and wide acclaim. He died in Taipei in February 1992.
In addition to Wut¡¯s music, his manuscripts, awards, letters, photos, trophies and other valuable items will also be on display at the exhibition. Highlight exhibits include the manuscript and compact disc of the symphonic poem "Ambush on All Sides"; the manuscript of the "Pamir Capriccio" for harmonica and orchestra; his Gold Record Award for the orchestral work, "Princess Ch'ang P'ing Fantasy Overture"; the manuscript, cassette, photos and published score of contemporary Chinese opera "The West Chamber"; the Golden Tripod Award certificate for the composition "Huang Shan, the magnificent mountain"; and the manuscript of Wut's vocal works "Four Poems from Li Bai".
Admission to the exhibition is free. For enquiries, please call 2921 0259.
Ends/Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:13
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