(b Guizhou, 6 Sept 1952). Chinese composer. A self-taught violinist and violist, he played with a Beijing opera company in his home town. His work as a farmer during the Cultural Revolution is reflected in his compositions, which demonstrate a concern for nature and a respect for Chinese folklore and folk music. After graduating from the Central Conservatory in Beijing (1983), he became a member of the composition faculty. In 1989 he was invited to the USA as a visiting scholar at Columbia University.
Many of Qu’s early works were inspired by the spirit of nature in rural southern China. Mong Dong (1984) is a sonic manifestation of the indigenous art of the Wa people in Yunnan province; in this work, as in many others, Qu blends an expressive human voice with instruments. His cantata Cleaving the Coffin (1987) synthesizes traditional Sichuan opera with Western techniques. Two operas based on the Oedipus story, Oedipus (1992–3) and The Death of Oedipus (1993–4), demonstrate his ideal of returning to the essence of music through an economic use of sound and silence. The chamber music series Ji (‘Silence’, from 1990) uses concise and refined sounds to allude to the peaceful infinity of time and space. He has received numerous commissions from festivals and organizations internationally.
(selective list)
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Ops: Oedipus (C. Fellbom), 1992–3; The Death of Oedipus, 1993–4 |
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Film scores: Sacrifice of Youth, 1984; The Big Military Review, 1985; Horse Thief, 1985; Hunting on the Ground, 1985; The King of Children, 1987; Life on a String, 1990; Pushing Hands, 1991 |
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Other dramatic: Cleaving the Coffin (cant., Gao Xingjiam), S, 2 T, mixed chorus, orch, 1987; Revolutionary Op (experimental theatre, D. Yong), 1992; Ocean and Mountain (experimental theatre, Yong), 1996; The Third Kingdom of Yulong Mountain (dance score, Chiang Ching), 1996 |
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Inst: Str Qt, 1981; Str Sym., str, perc, 1981; The Girl of the Mountain, vn, orch, 1982; The Mountain, orch, 1983; Conc., vc, orch, 1985; Huan, orch, 1985; Sym. no.1, orch, 1986; Ji no.1 ‘Still Valley’, fl, cl, vn, va, db, pf, perc, 1990; Lam Mot, perc trio, 1991; Xi, 6 perc, 1991; Ji no.2 ‘Floating Clouds’, shakuhachi, cl, pf, perc, 1994; Ji no.3 ‘Silent Mountain’, gui/pipa, 1994; Ji no.4 ‘Bare Land’, perc, tape, 1995; Ji no.5 ‘Broken Stone’, koto, sho, str qt, 1995; Ji no.7 ‘Motionless Water’, vn, 1997 |
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Vocal: Mong Dong, male v, chbr ens, 1984; Mist, S, Bar, chbr ens, 1991; Fang Yan Kou, Buddhist ritual, male v, chbr ens, 1996 |
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Principal publisher: Peer-Southern |
ZHANG WEIHUA