I first encountered Huang Chen-Mou's music in the book Rizal: The Songwriter, Musician, and Music Lover by Danny Yson, published in 1995. In the last chapter, he reproduced some works by composers that set Rizal's poetry into music. One of them was Huang's setting of Rizal's "Ultimo Adios." It immediately caught my curiosity, because the lyrics were translated to Chinese! It's also by a composer I've totally never heard of before. About a week later I found myself deep in the rabbit hole researching all I could find about this composer.
Life
Huang Chen-Mou was born on July 10, 1911 in Gulangyu, Xiamen, China to a Christian family. At first, he studied composition by himself, making hymns for the Church.
In 1934, he went to the Philippines to study at the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music. His teachers there were Antonio Molina and Antonino Buenaventura (two would-be National Artists for Music.) He also studied orchestration under Alfredo Buenaventura.
After he graduated he became a choral conductor of several Chinese choirs in the Philippines. He composed music during his spare time, mostly making church music.
It was during World War II that Huang composed his most popular work: the Christmas Cantata "Emmanuel" written and premiered in 1943. It was the first large-scale sacred composition written in Chinese. Originally written for Choir and Piano, Huang arranged the accompaniment into orchestra many years later.
In his post-war years he continued his work as a choir conductor and composer. Alongside choral works, he created many pieces for piano, violin, and solo voice. Some of these instrumental and vocal works are used in Chinese schools in the 60s. Many of his works were published during this time, including his major works such as Emmanuel. These publications are a strong feat in maintaining his legacy, for most composers in the Philippines don't have the privilege to have their major works published.
In 1971 the first in the series of concerts featuring Huang's music at the Cultural Center of the Philippines was held. Among the works featured was the world premiere of his Piano Concerto "Magnificent Wonderland" played by the pianist Regalado Jose, with Luis Valencia conducting the Filipino Philharmonic. Other concerts featuring Huang's works were held at the CCP in 1999, 2009, and 2011.
He became a known figure within the Chinese community here in the Philippines. He was given awards for his compositions and service in music. He also headed Chinese music organizations such as the "Song of Songs Fellowship" in 1963. However, his main job was to serve the Church and God through music.
Huang Chen-Mou passed away on June 12, 2011.
List of Works (selection):
Vocal Music
- 1986 Songs
- Anthems for Mixed Voices (5 volumes)
- Church Music (2 volumes)
- My Last Farewell
- Song of Wisdom
Instrumental music
Large-scale works
- Opera - Wen Tien Hsiang & Kublai Khan
- Opera - China Soul
- Christmas Cantata "Emmanuel"
- "Life Symphony" in B minor for Chorus and Orchestra
- Piano Concerto in D minor "Magnificent Wonderland"
Recordings:
- "Compositions of Huang Chen Mou", LP recording, 1971
- "The Music of Huang Chen Mou", Double Cassette recording, 1999
- "Wen Tien Hsiang & Kublai Khan" cassette recording, n.d.
- "The Music of Huang Chen Mou". CD recording, n.d.
Contact Info:
For inquiries regarding Huang Chen-mou's compositions other information, please e-mail me so I can get you in touch with her daughter, Angel Huang.
References:https://www.sin80.com/artist/huang-chen-mou
http://web.archive.org/web/20161104172851/http://huangchenmou.com/
http://www.cgsmusa.org/glory/glory/Writers/Hwang.htm
中国最早的大型宗教音乐作品（上） —黄桢茂的圣诞长咏曲《以马内利》
锦绣河山入梦中--评黄桢茂的d小调钢琴协奏曲《锦绣祖国》片
黄桢茂--华人圣乐作曲家
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