A graduate with a major in the French language, a university teacher, a top singer on stage, these three different titles belong to one person, Liu Huan, who is regarded as an iconic figure in China's music industry for his wide vocal range and songwriting talent.
Born on August 26, 1963 into a teacher's family in Tianjin, Liu enrolled at the University of International Relations in Beijing in 1981, majoring in French literature. He was retained at the university as a faculty member after graduation in 1985. Later he began to teach history of Western music at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
Soon, Liu's singing was widely acclaimed across the country. In 1987, he performed his first song, Sun in Heart, for Snowing City. In 1990, Liu performed the official theme song, Asian Mighty Winds, with Wei Wei at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing, followed by The One Who Wins the Hearts of the People Gains the Empire for 1996 series Yongzheng Dynasty and Heroes' Song, for the 1998 series The Water Margin. Other popular songs are as follow: The Crescent Moon, Time and Time Again You Ask Me, All Over Again, Flying Phoenixes, and so on.
On August 8, 2008, Liu sang a duet You and Me with English actress and singer Sarah Brightman at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. In 2012, Liu was asked to act as one of the four judges and coaches on The Voice of China, a singing competition show broadcast on Zhejiang Satellite TV. Her fellow judges are Na Ying, Yang Kun, and Harlem Yu.
Liu Huan majored in the French language at the Institute of International Relations and didn't receive any systematic training in singing or composition, as he said in an interview that he didn't have any teacher on the way of music, he taught himself. Many of his classmates can still recall Liu Huan sitting on the stairs of dormitory and playing his guitar till midnight. Travel also provided a good opportunity to expand his understanding of music. During his school years, he won a two-week trip to France after winning a singing competition. While his companions were excited with the sightseeing and busy shopping, Liu Huan spent most the time in a little bar, savoring the local music and searching for inspiration.
The Crescent Moon was written and composed by Li Haiying. Through the scenery from far to near, the song describes a beautiful picture of the tranquility and peace of the night in a certain Jiangnan water town. Liu Huan’s performance came into being in 1989.
(Video source: Zhejiang TV, Tencent)