The Musical Structure of the Hong Kong National Anthem: A Melody Journey

As a special administrative region of China, the national anthem of Hong Kong is a very distinctive musical work. After Hong Kong returned to China in 1997, the Hong Kong SAR government officially adopted “March of the Volunteers” as the national anthem of the Hong Kong SAR. This song occupies an important position in Chinese history. It was not only the war song during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, but also the national anthem after the founding of New China, and now it is the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. This article will take you to explore its musical structure and the story behind it through the music analysis of the Hong Kong national anthem.

History of Hong Kong National Anthem

The national anthem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region “March of the Volunteers” and “March of the Volunteers” were written by playwright Tian Han and composed by musician Nie Er. “March of the Volunteers” was originally the theme song of the movie “Children of the Storm” with the theme of anti-Japanese and national salvation. After the film’s premiere in May 1935, the song was widely circulated throughout the country. “Children of the Wind and Cloud” describes the heroic story of young people who went to the front line of the Anti-Japanese War in the early 1930s to save the motherland. “March of the Volunteers” was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. During the Anti-Japanese War, it played a role in uniting people’s hearts and inspiring morale, reflecting the perseverance and spirit of unity of the people at that time. The script of “Children of the Wind and Cloud” was originally written by Tian Han; Tian Han also filled in the lyrics for “March of the Volunteers”, and Nie Er composed the melody. “March of the Volunteers” has a clear rhythm, high-pitched tunes, majestic and powerful, and shows the courageous and indomitable fighting spirit of the Chinese nation. With its passionate melody and inspirational lyrics, it expresses the spirit of the Chinese people fighting for national independence and national dignity. During the Anti-Japanese War, this song was widely sung and became the common memory of the Chinese people at that time.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, “March of the Volunteers” was determined to be the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. With the passage of time, the status of this song has become more and more important. It is not only a spiritual symbol of the Chinese people, but also a symbol of the country. After Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997, the Hong Kong SAR government chose “March of the Volunteers” as the national anthem of the Hong Kong SAR to express the love and loyalty of the Hong Kong people to the motherland.

The Musical Structure of the Hong Kong National Anthem

The musical structure of the Hong Kong National Anthem is very simple, it consists of three parts: the prelude, the verse and the end. Each part has its own melody and rhythm, but they all echo each other to form a complete musical composition.

Prelude

The prelude to the Hong Kong national anthem is the shortest part of the whole song, with only 6 bars. Its melody is very simple, consisting of 4 notes, and the rhythm is very lively, which makes people feel exciting and uplifting. The entire prelude is dominated by G major, reminiscent of a cheerful festival atmosphere.

Verse

The verse of the Hong Kong National Anthem is the most important part of the whole song, and it consists of 10 bars. The melody of the verse is very smooth, composed of multiple notes and rhythms, which makes people feel full of power and movement. The entire verse is in the key of E major, reminiscent of stability and strength.

Epilogue

The end of the Hong Kong national anthem is the most melodious part of the whole song, which consists of 8 bars. The melody at the end is very smooth, composed of slow rhythm and harmonious harmony, which makes people feel calm and serene. The entire coda is dominated by the key of C major, reminiscent of a harmonious and calm atmosphere.

Meaning of Hong Kong National Anthem

The musical structure of the Hong Kong national anthem is very simple, but it contains profound meaning. This song represents the love and loyalty of Hong Kong people to the motherland. Its melody is full of power and movement, expressing the spirit of the Hong Kong people fighting for freedom, democracy and independence. The melodious melody at the end represents the Hong Kong people’s desire for peace and harmony. The musical structure and meaning of this song is so deep that it is impossible to forget.

Conclusion

The Hong Kong National Anthem is a very distinctive musical composition, which represents the love and loyalty of the Hong Kong people to the motherland. The musical structure of this song is very simple, but it contains a deep meaning. By performing a musical analysis of the Hong Kong national anthem, we can better understand the context and meaning of the song. I believe that in the near future, Hong Kong will be more prosperous and stable, and the Hong Kong national anthem will also become a common symbol of Hong Kong and China.