Aaron Avshalomov Chinese and American composer Date of Birth: 11.11.1894 Country: USA

1. Biography of Aaron Avshalomov
2. Exploring Chinese Music
3. Years of Occupation and the Move to the US
4. Rediscovering Avshalomov's Music

Biography of Aaron Avshalomov

Aaron Avshalomov was a Chinese-American composer of Russian origin. He was born into a Jewish merchant family and was sent by his father to Zurich to study at the medical institute. However, he chose to attend classes at the Stern Music School of the Zurich Conservatory. After returning home to Khabarovsk, with the onset of revolutionary events in Russia, he was sent by his relatives to San Francisco. There he got married, but in 1918 he settled in Beijing, where he opened a bookshop. From 1925 to 1929, the composer stayed in America, and then returned to China, this time settling in Shanghai and dedicating himself to his professional composing career.

Exploring Chinese Music

Avshalomov studied composition independently, except for a short period of education in Zurich. Chinese music made a strong impression on him, and he attempted to adapt its rhythms and harmonies to the capabilities of Western orchestras. His operas, such as "Kuan Yin" (1925), "Twilight Hours of Yang-Guifei" (1933), "The Great Wall" (1941, premiered in 1945), and "Dream of Wei Lin" were all products of this cultural synthesis. Avshalomov also composed four symphonies, piano, flute, and violin concertos, among other works. In addition to Chinese music, starting from 1940, Avshalomov incorporated elements of traditional Indian music into his compositions and wrote music based on Jewish liturgical motifs, such as "Four Biblical Tableaux" (1928).

Years of Occupation and the Move to the US

During the Japanese occupation, Avshalomov, along with his second wife, Tatiana Avshalomova, was under house arrest. He then served as the conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra for three years until he relocated to the United States in 1947. He lived in Los Angeles and New York.

Rediscovering Avshalomov's Music

In the 1990s, thanks to the efforts of Avshalomov's son, the music of Avshalomov Sr. began to receive public attention once again. Several recordings of his compositions were made, including those by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.