XianXinghai(June13,1905–October30,1945)(Chinese:冼星海;pinyin:XiǎnXīnghi)wasaChinesecomposer.HeisbestknownforhisYellowRiverCantata,uponwhichwasbasedtheYellowRiverConcertoforpianoandorchestra(arrangedbyYinChengzong).BorninPanyu(Chinese:番禺;Pinyin:Panyu)intoafamilyofapoorsailor,Xianstartedlearningclarinetin1918attheYMCAcharityschoolattachedtotheLingnanUniversity.In1926,hejoinedtheNationalMusicInstituteatBeijingUniversitytostudymusic.In1928,heenteredShanghaiNationalMusicConservatorytostudyviolinandpiano,andinthesameyear,hepublishedhiswell-knownessay,TheUniversalMusic.In1929,XianwenttoParisand,in1931,hewasadmittedtotheParisConservatorytostudycomposition.WhiletherehestudiedbothwithVincentD'IndyandPaulDukas.Duringthisperiod,hecomposedWind,SongofaWanderer,ViolinSonatainDMinor,andotherworks.