Inscription in Mourning of Xian Xinghai[1]

(November 1945)

Mourning for Comrade Xian Xinghai, musician of the people.

Mao Zedong

[1] This is the inscription written by Mao Zedong for the memorial meeting for Xian Xinghai held by the Lu Xun Academy of Art and Literature. Xian Xinghai (1905–1945), a native of Panyu, Guangdong Province, was a composer. He went to Yan’an in 1938 and served as head of the Music Department of the Lu Xun Academy of Art and Literature. In 1940 he went to the Soviet Union, where he composed the score for the film Yan’an and the Eighth Route Army and pursued his studies. He died of illness in Moscow on October 30, 1945. His major works include The Yellow River Cantata, The Production Cantata, Song of the National Salvation Army, March of the Youth, Go Behind the Enemy Lines, On the Taihang Mountains, and others.