Composer Wang Hui-Ran

Wang Huiran (Wang Hui-Ran) was born in 1936 in Shanghai, China. He started learning pipa and liuqin (a smaller version of Chinese lute) at the age of 13 and became profesional soloist in several musical troups during his early career. In 1957 Wang was selected to go to Moscau State Radio Station and recorded several traditional pipa solo pieces. His own composition "Merry dancing under the moon" received excellent comments. In 1960, Wang composed the celebrated "Dance of the Yi people" which has becomes the classical pipa composition that can be heard almost every where in China. This piece, combining the spirit of the folk tradition and the best use of the pipa technique, has become an excellent model for contemporary pipa compositions. Wang has also made great contributions in improving the making of Liuqin in such a way that this instrument, which was used mainly for accompanying local opera or other instruments, has also appeared in solo genres. He composed many pieces for Liuqin and wrote a book entitled "How to play Liuqin". Wang Huiran also displays excellent skill in conducting Chinese orchestra. He was invited several times to conduct Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Chinese Youth Orchestra.