Wang Kun (singer)
Encyclopedia
Wang Kun is a noted and influential Chinese singer, actress, musical director, and teacher specializing in revolutionary repertoire
. She is most famous for her interpretations of songs such as "Nanniwan
" (1943).
Wang is from Tang County
, Hebei
, China
. In the 1940s she joined the performing arts troupe of the People's Liberation Army
. In 1945 she played the lead role in The White Haired Girl
(modern China's first Western-style opera), produced by the Yan'an
Lu Xun Institute of Arts (延安鲁艺戏剧音乐系), and also performed in other modern dramas.
Along with her contemporary Guo Lanying
, Wang was a member of the first generation of Chinese performing artists to train overseas. Following the Chinese Revolution in 1949 she continued studying music in the USSR with Medvedev, as well as with the Chinese singer Lin Junqing (林俊卿). In 1954 she entered the Central Conservatory of Music
, to further her education. She later directed the Oriental Song and Dance Company (东方歌舞团艺委), serving as regimental commander.
She was also a member of the committee of the fourth session of the Chinese Cultural Federation (中国文联第) and the Chinese Musicians' Association
, and she participated in the second and third sessions as director of the executive committee for the fourth session of the All-China Women's Federation
. She was the Chinese Communist Party's 11th representative for the first
, second
, and third
National People's Congress
, and was also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
for the fifth
and sixth
National People's Congress. She performed in the large-scale music and dance drama and film The East Is Red
in the 1960s.
Wang's singing style draws on Chinese folk traditions for its foundation, though her vocal production (featuring a bright timbre and consistent vibrato) also shows elements of borrowing from Western bel canto
operatic style. Besides "Nanniwan," her famous recordings include the songs "Joy of Emancipation" (翻身道情), "Autumn Harvest" (秋收), and "Peasants' Association" (农友歌).
Wang's notable students include Cheng Fangyuan, Li Lingyu
, and Ai Jing. In September 2005 she was hired by the China Art Academy (中国艺术研究院) as a special master's tutor. On August 9, 2009 she performed with her students in a concert commemorating her 70-year performing career, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture
and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
(中国文学艺术界联合会). Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
sent a congratulatory letter to the show.
Revolutionary song
Revolutionary songs are political songs that advocate or praise revolutions. They are used to boost morale, as well as for political propaganda or agitation. Amongst the most well-known revolutionary songs are "La Marseillaise" and "The Internationale". Many protest songs can be considered...
. She is most famous for her interpretations of songs such as "Nanniwan
Nanniwan
Nanniwan is a revolutionary song written in 1943 with lyrics by communist playwright and poet He Jingzhi and music by Ma Ke. It was made popular by the Communist Party of China and continues to be one of the most recognisable songs in the People's Republic of China.Nanniwan is a gorge about 90km...
" (1943).
Wang is from Tang County
Tang County
Tang County is a county under the juridiction of Baoding prefecture-level city, Hebei, People's republic of China.-Administrative Divisions:Towns:*Renhou , Wangjing , Gaochang , Beiluo , Baihe , Juncheng , Chuanli...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In the 1940s she joined the performing arts troupe of the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
. In 1945 she played the lead role in The White Haired Girl
The White Haired Girl
The White-Haired Girl is a Chinese opera, ballet, by Yan Jinxuan to a Chinese libretto. The first opera performance was in 1945, with Wang Kun playing the lead role. The film was made in 1950. The first Beijing opera performance was in 1958. The first ballet performance was by Shanghai Dance...
(modern China's first Western-style opera), produced by the Yan'an
Yan'an
Yan'an , is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China, administering several counties, including Zhidan County , which served as the Chinese communist capital before the city of Yan'an proper took that role....
Lu Xun Institute of Arts (延安鲁艺戏剧音乐系), and also performed in other modern dramas.
Along with her contemporary Guo Lanying
Guo Lanying
Guo Lanying is a noted Chinese operatic soprano best known for singing patriotic songs such as "My Motherland" and "Nanniwan" ....
, Wang was a member of the first generation of Chinese performing artists to train overseas. Following the Chinese Revolution in 1949 she continued studying music in the USSR with Medvedev, as well as with the Chinese singer Lin Junqing (林俊卿). In 1954 she entered the Central Conservatory of Music
Central Conservatory of Music
The Central Conservatory of Music is the national leading music school in Beijing, China.Founded in 1950, the Conservatory offers courses to both Chinese nationals and foreign students, and caters for all levels from primary up to postgraduate programmes...
, to further her education. She later directed the Oriental Song and Dance Company (东方歌舞团艺委), serving as regimental commander.
She was also a member of the committee of the fourth session of the Chinese Cultural Federation (中国文联第) and the Chinese Musicians' Association
Chinese Musicians' Association
The Chinese Musicians Association is China's largest and most important musical organization. It was established in July 1949 and currently has 8000 members....
, and she participated in the second and third sessions as director of the executive committee for the fourth session of the All-China Women's Federation
All-China Women's Federation
The All-China Women's Federation is an organization of women established in China in March 1949. It was constructed as a mass organization supported by the Communist Party of China, and based on Marxist theory...
. She was the Chinese Communist Party's 11th representative for the first
1st National People's Congress
The 1st National People's Congress was in session from 1954 to 1959. It held four plenary sessions in this period. There were 1226 deputies to the Congress....
, second
2nd National People's Congress
The 2nd National People's Congress was in session from 1959 to 1964. It held four plenary sessions in this period.The first plenary session was held in April 1959...
, and third
3rd National People's Congress
The 3rd National People's Congress was in session from 1964 to 1975. It held only one plenary session in the ten years.The plenary session was held from December 21, 1964 to January 4, 1965...
National People's Congress
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
, and was also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...
for the fifth
5th National People's Congress
The 5th National People's Congress was in session from 1978 to 1983. It held five plenary sessions in this period.The Congress passed the 1978 Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the current Constitution of the People's Republic of China in 1982.-Elected state leaders:*Chairman of...
and sixth
6th National People's Congress
The 6th National People's Congress was in session from 1983 to 1988. It held five plenary sessions in this period.-Elected state leaders:In the 1st Plenary Session in 1983, the Congress elected the state leaders:...
National People's Congress. She performed in the large-scale music and dance drama and film The East Is Red
The East Is Red
"The East Is Red" is a song that was the de facto anthem of the People's Republic of China during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. The lyrics of the song were attributed to Li Youyuan, a farmer from northern Shaanxi, and the melody was derived from a local folk song...
in the 1960s.
Wang's singing style draws on Chinese folk traditions for its foundation, though her vocal production (featuring a bright timbre and consistent vibrato) also shows elements of borrowing from Western bel canto
Bel canto
Bel canto , along with a number of similar constructions , is an Italian opera term...
operatic style. Besides "Nanniwan," her famous recordings include the songs "Joy of Emancipation" (翻身道情), "Autumn Harvest" (秋收), and "Peasants' Association" (农友歌).
Wang's notable students include Cheng Fangyuan, Li Lingyu
Li Lingyu
-Biography:Li was born in Shanghai in 1963. She is a student of the notable singer Wang Kun.In 1980 she was admitted to the Beijing Red Flag Yue Opera Company, performing Shaoxing opera. In 1984, she joined the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe. There she met her first husband and married at the...
, and Ai Jing. In September 2005 she was hired by the China Art Academy (中国艺术研究院) as a special master's tutor. On August 9, 2009 she performed with her students in a concert commemorating her 70-year performing career, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China
The Ministry of Culture is a ministry of the government of the People's Republic of China which is responsible for culture policy and activities in the country, including managing national museums and monuments; Astroturfing and promoting government policies; promoting and protecting the arts The...
and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
China Federation of Literary and Art Circles
China Federation of Literary and Art Circles , established in July 1949, is a non-governmental organization composed of nationwide associations of writers and artists...
(中国文学艺术界联合会). Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao
Wen Jiabao is the sixth and current Premier and Party secretary of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, serving as China's head of government and leading its cabinet. In his capacity as Premier, Wen is regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy...
sent a congratulatory letter to the show.
Video
- Wang Kun singing "Peasants' Association", 1964
- Wang Kun singing "Nanniwan", c. 2009
- Wang Kun singing "Cotton Weaving", c. 2009