Beethoven in China

Cai, Jindong and Sheila Melvin. Beethoven in China: how the great composer became an icon in the People’s Republic.  Beijing : Penguin China, 2015. 142 p. (“Penguin Specials. China Specials”). ISBN : 978-0-7343-9952-6

At the turn of the twentieth century, students returning from abroad brought Beethoven to China. The composer’s perseverance in the face of adversity and his musical genius resonated in a nation searching for a way forward. Beethoven remained a durable part of Chinese life in the decades that followed, becoming an icon to intellectuals, music fans and party cadres alike, and playing a role in major historical events from the May Fourth Movement to the normalisation of US-China relations. Jindong Cai, whose love for the musician began during the Cultural Revolution, and culture journalist Sheila Melvin tell the compelling story of Beethoven and the Chinese people.

Plus d’informations

Compte rendu

• Gordon, Peter. Beethoven in China: how the great composer became an icon in the People’s Republic. Asian Review of Books, 22 August 2015. URL : http://www.asianreviewofbooks.com/pages/?ID=2360 (Consulté le 24 août 2015)

Voir aussi

• Melvin, Sheila. Beethoven in Beijing. Caixin Online, 15 March 2013. URL : http://english.caixin.com/2013-03-15/100501897.html?p1 (Consulté le 24 août 2015)
• Melvin, Sheila. Classical Music with Chinese Characteristics. The Party Elites of the Three Highs Philharmonic Orchestra. China File, 28 February 2013. URL : http://www.chinafile.com/classical-music-chinese-characteristics (Consulté le 24 août 2015)
• Melvin, Sheila. ‘China’s Conductor’ and the Politics of Music. The New York Times. Styles, 12 May 2001. URL : http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/12/style/12iht-li_ed2_.html (Consulté le 24 août 2015)
• Cai, Jindong and Sheila Melvin. Rhapsody in red : how western classical music became Chinese. New York : Algora, 2004. X-362 p. ISBN : 978-0-87586-179-2
  Ouvrage disponible à la bibliothèque du CECMC

Monique Abud

Centre d'études sur la Chine moderne et contemporaine, EHESS, Paris, France

More Posts