" known as. In 1926, he entered the Music Transmission Institute of Peking University and in 1928, he entered the Shanghai National Music College to study music. In 1929, he went to Paris for a work-study program and studied under the famous violinist Pany Obedovaire and the famous composer Paul Ducasse. After returning to China in 1935, he actively participated in the anti-Japanese and national salvation movement. He went to Yan'an in 1938 and later served as the director of the music department of Lu Xun Academy of Art. Died of illness in Moscow in October 1945.

In Xian Xinghai’s short life, he lived a creative life for more than 10 years. He composed hundreds of songs (more than 250 of them exist), 4 cantata, 1 opera, 2 symphonies, and orchestral music. He has 4 suites, 1 rhapsody, and many solo and ensemble pieces for violin, piano and other instrumental music. Among Xian Xinghai's creations, the most numerous and most influential are a variety of mass songs. Among them are the "Army Song of National Salvation", "Youth March", "Defending the Marco Polo Bridge" and "Go to the Enemy's Rear Lines", which are positive expressions of the Chinese people's anti-Japanese struggle and adopt the form of a rallying and combative march; there are also detailed battle scenes showing the magnificence of the People's War , "On the Taihang Mountains", "Guerrilla Army" and "Counterattack", which combine lyricism and agitation or description and generality; there are "Dingding", which expresses the working life of workers and peasants and uses specific labor tones and rhythms. "Hard to Go", "Song of Pulling the Plow", "Movers' Song" and "We Open the Road"; there are also "As long as there is no resistance", "Children of the Motherland" and "March 8th Women's Day" written for the women and children in the Anti-Japanese War. Song" and so on. In these mass songs, Xian Xinghai created musical images with different characteristics according to different contents, or used impactful rhythms and high-pitched, angular melodies to express passionate and generous emotions and majestic momentum; The broad-breathing melody, soothing and calm rhythm and lyrical tones reflect the rich inner world of the revolutionary people.

Xian Xinghai’s four cantata, "Production Movement Cantata", "Yellow River Cantata", "September 18th Cantata" and "Sacrifice Alliance Cantata".

Among them, "Yellow River Cantata" is the most outstanding cantata and has the widest influence.

"Yellow River Cantata" is Xian Xinghai's most important and influential masterpiece.