Lü Ji (composer)

Lü Ji (Chinese: 吕骥; born October 18, 1909, Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China; died July 9, 2002, Beijing, China) was a prominent Chinese composer, musicologist, and administrator. He played a significant role in the development of modern Chinese music, particularly during the Communist revolution and the subsequent establishment of the People's Republic of China.

Lü Ji studied at the Shanghai Art Academy in the late 1920s and became involved in left-wing artistic movements. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1931. During the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, he composed patriotic songs and musical dramas that aimed to mobilize the population and support the revolutionary cause. His compositions often incorporated folk melodies and rhythms, reflecting his belief in creating a distinctly Chinese musical style rooted in the experiences of the common people.

Following the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Lü Ji held several important positions in the cultural administration. He served as the president of the Chinese Musicians Association and as a leading figure in the Ministry of Culture. He played a crucial role in shaping the direction of music education and performance in China, promoting socialist realism and the adaptation of Western classical music to Chinese contexts.

Lü Ji's most famous compositions include revolutionary songs like "The Guerrilla Song" and "New China March," as well as orchestral works and operas. He also wrote extensively on music theory and history, advocating for a synthesis of Chinese and Western musical traditions.

Despite experiencing political setbacks during periods like the Cultural Revolution, Lü Ji remained a significant figure in Chinese music until his death. His contributions helped establish a national musical identity during a period of profound social and political change, and his influence can still be felt in contemporary Chinese music.