Hu Weili, whose ancestral home is Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, was born in Hong Kong in 1937. The war happened that year. After staying in Hong Kong for two years, he moved to Guilin and Chongqing, and returned to Shanghai after the victory. In 1955, he went to Beijing Normal University to study. After graduating in 1960, he stayed at the school to teach; he taught at the Beijing Art Institute and the China Conservatory of Music. In 1973, he went to teach at the Beijing Film Academy and taught until 1986 when he was released and went to Hong Kong to work hard.
At that time, he was nearly 50 years old. He had just arrived in Hong Kong and started everything from scratch without knowing him. Although he had written more than 10 movies in Beijing before coming out, as well as many TV series and cassettes; As early as 1958, he wrote a violin piece called "Rural Ditty". After it was published, it was selected into the "Violin Piece Collection" compiled by the Guanxian Department of Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Then it was selected as a teaching material for music conservatories across the country. At that time, music conservatory students and violin students all took his textbooks to study. After that, he also wrote a lot of things. Because he was a descendant of a capitalist and had a poor background, and He is also passionate about creation and has been labeled as a "white professional".
Many of his works had to be made public under the name of "collective creation". For example, "Gu Zheng Playing and Singing" was performed in Zhongnanhai for national leaders. For this reason, "Guangming Daily" returned this He wrote a full-page review of the song; in the following years, he wrote "Miss Ming", "Lovesick Girl's Inn", "The Story of the Railway Guerrillas", "No. 5 Huayuan Street", "Homecoming", etc. He has achieved considerable success in his creations and is also well-known in China. He believed that it was not a bad thing to give up his existing success and start a new life from scratch. After arriving in Hong Kong in 1986, he began to re-study and reshape himself. As soon as he arrived in Hong Kong, a commercial atmosphere hit him. When he was teaching in China, His academic thinking was greatly impacted, but looking back, he believes that business things are still unique; although in China, there has always been a prejudice against Haoliu's business methods and operations. But in Hong Kong, all this has become so natural. We have no choice but to do as the locals do in order to survive and develop.
Hu Weili believes that it is not easy to make some vulgar things really well. It takes a lot of effort to make a film popular and impress the people. In the prosperous and fast-paced Hong Kong society, people pay more attention to immediate things. Busy people do not have the time and energy to appreciate the deep heritage and connotation of works; in the past, he absorbed the "new wave" and other realist techniques when teaching at the film school. , when you get here, you will appear to be high-minded and reticent. In Hong Kong, he found that it still continued the "storytelling" technique of Haolaiu, which was basically a closed structure, and in a closed structure, music played a big role. It can affect a person's emotions and shock people, and music can be very effective.
In Hong Kong, he experienced the artistic expression methods in the commercial atmosphere. Everything is concrete and realistic, and pursues practical results. There was not much time for people to think and try, so he wrote a score. At that time, there were not many directors in Hong Kong who could read music scores. What we wanted here was something with a strong sense of the times, so I had no choice but to force myself to learn computers. I had never touched a computer before going to Hong Kong and was "computer illiterate". The score I wrote at that time was as high as a table. I haven’t written it for more than 20 years, but the calluses on my hands are still the same and remain on my hands. Ask people to learn in Hong Kong. People rely on it for a living. If they want to teach you, they will lose their jobs, so they basically won’t teach you. When you go to a music store to buy electronic equipment, they will only tell you the necessary operations and functions. Then I will throw you a manual and let you read it yourself.
Hu Wei studied Russian in university. When he looked up the English dictionary, he found that nine out of ten words were not in the dictionary. They were all professional vocabulary. He relied on his own guessing. After buying the equipment, he read it by himself. Thinking about it, I have to work until about 4 o'clock in the morning every day. He has to go to work at around 7 a.m. the next morning, so he only sleeps 3 or 4 hours a day on average in Hong Kong. At the age of 50, he came from the mainland and had no money in his pocket, so he struggled in a strange environment with nothing. Survival, what will you do when you get old in the future? In his opinion, time is not mine. Working hard is a portrayal of Hu Weili in Hong Kong. He believes that there are many people here who are more knowledgeable and talented than him, but when it comes to working hard, he is second to none.
In Hong Kong, he was a jack-of-all-trades and could do anything; his first job was to go to a ballet school to play ballet accompaniment for children. Other teachers carried a big schoolbag and a lot of music scores. , and he went there empty-handed. People asked him: "Where is your score?" He said: "I don't use the score, all my scores are in my head." People quickly put a tape recorder nearby, worried that if he memorized it, If you cannot stay or support yourself, take necessary "first aid measures."
In class, whenever the students did any movements, Hu Weili would play the corresponding music to match. He played very skillfully, as if he had been working together for a long time. After the class, he gained great favor from the school. It was originally an hour Give him 35 yuan, then increase it to 38 yuan. He was very relieved, playing for two minutes and earning one dollar, and playing for another two minutes and earning another dollar. This feeling was something he had never experienced in mainland China. In mainland China, after graduating from college, he was paid 4 or 50 yuan, which lasted for more than 20 years. When he came here, he felt very shameless when he thought that everything cost money. However, you know, when it comes to cooking or buying groceries at home, what can you save money on? My wife arrived in Hong Kong first and taught piano here to earn tuition for the children to study abroad. The children were also very successful and went to the United States and Canada to develop their careers. Hu Weili was the last one in the family to leave. The couple started a new life journey in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, teaching children piano and violin, accompanying ballet schools, accompanying choirs, participating in performances, etc. are all jobs that revolve around Hu Weili's own strengths and majors. The purpose is first to support his family. As long as he can make money, he is happy to do it. Only three months later, he went to Hong Kong TVB (Hong Kong Wireless Television Station), which was the largest TV station in the Far East at the time and was very famous. He had an older brother who was working in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong at that time. He thought that a musical talent like Hu Weili would have a bright future here, so he wrote letters of recommendation to both ATV and TVB to recommend Hu Weili.
At that time, TVB was in a legal battle with the Hong Kong branch of the International Federation of Phonographic Records. Due to the issue of copyright fees, the record company blocked them. TVB was not allowed to use the records of the International Federation of Phonographic Association, and most of TVB's programs were Music support is required. After arriving here, seeing this situation, Hu Weili felt that if he continued like this, he would be dead. So, he spent all his money to buy a music synthesizer, and also added a tape recorder and other music equipment to record the melody of its theme song. It turns into different emotions and variations on different themes. As soon as it is placed in the program, it becomes unified with the style of the theme.
He also brought a lot of music and recording materials he created while in mainland China and provided them to TVB free of charge; since then, many TV series of TVB (Hong Kong Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd.) such as: "Fire Rose", "Barefoot Gentleman", "Wrath of Swords", "Big Time", "Burning Years" and other blockbusters and major productions are all produced by Hu Weili. Here he has to write more than 300 TV series dubbing soundtracks a year, and he can be said to be a prolific composer. His schedule is called: "08-26", that is, entering the studio at 8 o'clock in the morning, 2 o'clock in the evening, 24 to 26, Came out at 26. And those young people complain endlessly every day from 08 to 17.
Working several jobs at the same time, there are no Sundays or rest days at all. Many jobs were rushed like "burning butt". There was a movie called "The Invincible East" and he didn't sleep for 72 hours before rushing out. From watching the movie to designing the music passages, composing and recording to finding people to sing. And synthesis, all in one go. When the reporter asked him whether he could bear such a high-intensity work, he thought: "I think people with our background have been through hard work, and willpower plays a decisive role. ”
Because he knew very well that if he didn’t work so hard at this stage, he would not be able to survive, let alone move forward. While composing music and soundtracks for thousands of episodes of TV series, he also served as the Hong Kong Pan He is the deputy principal of the Asian Symphony Orchestra, and has composed music for the Hong Kong Pan-Asia Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Dance Orchestra, the Hong Kong Repertory Theater, the Hong Kong Arts Advancement Association, the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, the Taiwan Chinese Orchestra, and a large number of advertisements and films.
Hu Weili returned to the mainland once in the second year after arriving in Hong Kong. When he visited the Conservatory of Music, the branch secretary asked him: "Teacher Hu, what was your biggest feeling after you went to Hong Kong?" He replied: "The biggest feeling is that in mainland China, I only spend 10% of my time doing my professional work, and 90% of my time is spent dealing with political studies, personnel wrangling, and trying to find ways to get a job." joint.
"When he arrived in Hong Kong, he told people that he was doing 90% of what he wanted to do. Over the years, Hu Weili, who has always been very low-key, did not like to talk about himself and rarely appeared in public; because he had experienced too much, on the contrary This made him face the world in a very calm manner. This concert of Hu Weili's works "The Days I Walked with You" was really brought to the forefront because of his 70th birthday. After moving to Canada, he preferred to spend time fishing, playing tennis, surfing the Internet, and working on computers at home. In 1997, Hu Weili retired, which was his own decision. After he trained and supported his two students well, he decided to "quit the world" and settle in Canada.
When Hu Weili was a student in Hong Kong, he did not charge tuition fees. This was mainly because he studied with Mr. Ma Sicong; in 1962, he found Mr. Ma for lessons, and Mr. Ma listened to him playing the piano. , after understanding his situation, he did not charge his tuition fees. Hu Weili felt that this was the most sincere mutual trust between people. Mr. Ma Sicong loved talents and had expectations for him; Hu Weili followed Mr. Ma Sicong for three years until Mr. Ma arrived in the United States, and he has not seen each other since, 86 They had a phone call last year, and Mr. Ma was very happy when he heard that Hu Weili came out. Speaking of the music master Mr. Ma Sicong, Hu Weili is full of gratitude and affection; the students' gratitude to their teachers will always be engraved in their hearts and will never be extinguished.
In 1964, when the China Conservatory of Music was about to be established, the organization asked Hu Weili to change his career. His original major was violin. By then, he had contacted the Shanghai Film Symphony Orchestra and had prepared his personnel files. As a result, during a joint school performance, he took the stage for a violin solo and an accordion accompaniment. He was also the concertmaster of the band and played his own works. It can be said that he made a comprehensive appearance on the stage. At that time, the principal and deputy deans of the China Conservatory of Music were An Bo and Marco. After the performance, they decided not to let this person go. He told the dean that he was engaged in Western musical instruments and would not be of much use if he stayed, so he might as well go to the Shanghai Film Festival. The symphony orchestra plays to its strengths. They told him that the Department of Asian, African and Latin American Music might be established in the future, "You have something special to offer." So Hu Weili was left at the China Conservatory of Music, and in his own words, he was called "a snake oil, doing odd jobs." If no one attended the theory class, he would take it; if no one attended the composition class or harmony class, he would take it; during the "Four Clean-ups" in 1964, he went to Xi'an to go to the countryside. A few months after I went there, I accidentally fell into a well during a visit to the poor and broke my waist. I came back to take care of myself for a year. Since then, he has largely abandoned the violin and has been doing odd jobs at school.
When he went to the film school, he mainly engaged in creation in addition to teaching. At that time, he mainly produced movies, TV series and cassettes. He gave them famous singers such as Li Guyi, Liu Bingyi, Su Xiaoming, Guan Mucun, etc. Wrote a lot of songs. Talking about his creation after immigrating to Canada, Hu Weili said that he has the social responsibility and conscience of an artist and is not willing to violate his own principles to cater to some so-called fashionable things; he takes fame and fortune very lightly and has a deep understanding of life. own rules.
He believes that as long as a person can maintain his own life, he will still have the same stomach when he eats delicacies from the mountains and seas, and he will still have the same stomach when he eats whole grains; if he lives in a house with several thousand square feet, he will still have the same bed when he lies down. Modern people are pursuing more and more material things, and they are also wasting more and more, and their possessiveness is getting stronger and stronger. The more possessive you are, the emptier your heart will be. The more material things you have, the less spiritual things you will have. poor.
So when he is 60 years old, he needs to reflect on and settle himself, and make a summary of himself. In the country of Canada, it is quite pleasant for him to do things that are beneficial to society and people. His hand was broken in 2003, and he had been volunteering in the Scarborough band before. His daughter taught piano and often took some children to perform in nursing homes. He also went with them to express condolences to the elderly. Some elderly people in the building where he lived had nothing to do after retirement, so he organized everyone to sing together. In 2000, he held half a concert here. In addition, some groups from Hong Kong and mainland China often ask him to write something; the piano prince Lang Lang came to Toronto to perform, and he wrote the song "Tomorrow Will Be Better" specially for him. Piano and orchestra versions of the tune.
When a reporter asked: "Do you have the most proud work in your creation over the years?" He said: "A creative person, every time he writes something, it is like his own child; Of course there are many famous works, but there are also many unknown ones, which I also like.
"For example, Johnnie To has a film called "The Barefoot Boy", which did not do well at the box office. It only grossed over 3 million in Hong Kong. From a box office perspective, it was a failure. However, this film was his favorite; and Xu Knife's film "The Knife" did not do well at the box office in Hong Kong. After it was released, it was still liked by the audience, and Hu Weili himself also admired it.
He said that many Western films were popular. Composers such as Bach, Beethoven and other classical composition masters have a great influence on him, as well as modern impressionists and other masters. He listens to a variety of things, including folk things. He has been exposed to many folk songs and is also very familiar with national musical instruments. Ripe. "Similar to food, I'm not picky about food. Hu Weili said with humor. When it comes to learning from Eastern and Western music nutrition, Mr. Hu pursues the principle and attitude of "borrowing". He uses everything for his own use, taking the essence and discarding the dross. In the control of creation, he The threshold is very high, and no matter what the work is, it must pass its own level; especially for some new things or new things, you may not be used to it at first, so you might as well let it go for a while, and wait until you think about it thoroughly and discover the meaning. Before using it, listen to the things you are not sure about. Only after listening can you have the right to speak; do not jump to conclusions easily, and carefully consider the reasons for their existence.
When looking at the cultural and art market in Toronto, he was very optimistic. He felt that although the art market here was immature, it had great potential and good momentum; in 2000, the Chinese art scene in the metropolis of Toronto would become more and more prosperous. Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto held a large-scale solo concert performed by orchestra, chorus, electroacoustic band, Chinese music, and solo singers.
While living in Toronto in 1998, he also performed for Tsui Hark. He also composed the soundtrack for the Hollywood film "King of Fighters". Toronto has gathered Chinese people from all over the Taiwan Strait, some of whom like pop songs, and some who are keen on classical music. He really wants those who like pop songs to listen to classical music. Classical people also want to enjoy pop songs. In mainland China, pop concerts and elegant concerts are sometimes clearly distinguished, but in Hu Weili’s view, there are only good and bad music; in his own music, he To convey a positive and optimistic outlook on life and a valuable message of true beauty, and to let everyone understand his music.
Mr. Hu Weili’s appearance is his white hair and flowing white beard. On the surface, he said that he showed his true colors to others and did not hide himself. He admitted that he had made many mistakes, but he admitted that he wanted to repent because of his true nature. Many young people liked him. He is 70 years old. At that time, many students from the Conservatory of Music, some of whom had retired, got together to hold a party for him. In Beijing, there is a saying that "nineteens are not ten", and he was very touched by such kindness.
When talking about his teaching career, he said: "In the process of teaching, you must not know many things, especially with so much information available, you can find everything on the Internet. You can't talk nonsense. "Being a teacher means taking many detours. I have gone through this detour. Don't go here, go there." You are stepping on my shoulders to move up. You are not as good as me now, you will not be as good as me in this life, you have no future; you must be better than me. "Many of his students were assigned to Beijing Film Studio's recording studio after graduation. The master there asked him to reflect: "Mr. Hu, why are your students so awesome? He told the students: "You are now in your 20s and 30s. You are not arrogant and are timid in everything. You have no future. After 30 years old, you have seen so much and you are still so arrogant. You are not promising." Make a fortune.
After seeing too much, you have to know that there are mountains beyond the mountains, and there is a sky beyond the sky. At that time, you have to calm down, look back at yourself, settle down what you already have, and stop wandering around. "When Hu Weili returned to the Film Academy to give a lecture to the students, he specifically talked about philosophical issues and methods. He believed that you must learn some philosophy so that your thoughts can have a guiding role; he talked to the students about the golden mean. He who is content is always happy. , Everyone knows that you are so young now and you are content without doing anything. Do you have any future in this life? You have to work hard. You can't work hard all your life. When you don't go up the mountain, you have to work hard to get to the top. Is it wrong to insist on staying there? You should keep a very cool attitude when walking down, and give up your seat on the mountain to the young people behind you. Then he talked about how emotional and rational people are. Emotionally, one must find a balance between emotion and reason; where should this point be placed in different life periods? This is a personal art of life.
Work and rest must be properly and reasonably arranged. The reporter then asked him what his hobbies are in his spare time. He smiled and said that he liked too many things and wanted to try everything. In addition to fishing, he also liked photography, and his oil paintings were posted on his website. When he was in his 60s, he went rafting on the Ottawa River with young people. He was not arrogant and had many similar topics with the young people. When Li Chuanyun came last time, he said to him: "You are an old naughty boy." He said seriously that people of his generation had been criticized and beaten a lot in those years and often criticized themselves, but this was not harmful; without that period of painful life and will training, we would not be where we are today. He felt that this was God's arrangement, and it was all these experiences that made him what he is today; so many friends came to help him during this concert, he felt very touched and had a lot to say.
He thinks he is blessed in this life. One is that he has chosen a job he likes as a career and can still make money; the other is that he has a very happy family. Indeed, at the concert that day, the whole family came to support him and wish him a happy birthday. In his speech, Hu Weili said excitedly that he was very grateful to his wife for enduring his bad temper and tolerating him for decades. Understand him and provide him with the same support and encouragement as the home front. The days I spent with her were both simple and glorious.