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Joseph Koo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In thisHong Kong name,thesurnameisKoo.In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Joseph Koo and the Chinese-style name is Koo Kar-Fai.
Joseph Koo
MBEGBS
Cố gia huy
Koo in 2014
Born
Koo Kar-fai ( cố gia huy )

(1931-02-25)25 February 1931
Canton,China
Died3 January 2023(2023-01-03)(aged 91)
Richmond Hospital,Richmond,Canada
NationalityCanadian[when?]
Occupation(s)Composer, arranger, Musical Director, Conductor, lyricist
Years active1961–2016
AwardsHong Kong Film Awards–Best Original Film Score
1990A Terra-Cotta Warrior

Golden Horse Awards–Best Music
1964The Dancing Millionairess
1966Till the End of Time

Chinese name
Traditional ChineseCốGiaHuy
Simplified ChineseCốGiaHuy
Musical career
Also known asMoran ( mạc nhiên )
OriginHong Kong
Genres
Instrument(s)
LabelsNone

Joseph Koo Kar-FaiMBEGBS(Chinese:Cố gia huy;25 February 1931[1]– 3 January 2023) was a Hong Kong composer. He used the pen name Moran ( mạc nhiên ) forMandarinsongs early in his career.[2]According to theHong Kong Academy for Performing Arts,Koo was one of the most respected composers in Hong Kong.[3]

Early life[edit]

Koo was born inCanton,China and migrated with his family to Hong Kong in 1948.[1]

Koo had two siblings: an elder sister, Hong Kong singer and painter Koo Mei ( cố mị ) and a younger brother, Koo Kar-Tseung ( cố gia thương ).[4]

Koo began learning music at age 17 by taking piano lessons from a Filipino music teacher, who was already giving singing lessons to Koo's sister.[5]

Career[edit]

Koo was sponsored bySir Run Run Shaw[6]to attend theBerklee College of Musicin Boston in the early 1960s.[citation needed]Upon graduation he returned to Hong Kong and worked for both theShaw BrothersandGolden Harvestmovie studios, scoring, among others, theBruce LeefilmsFist of FuryandThe Way of the Dragonin 1972.[citation needed]

Koo joinedTVBas their director of music in 1973,[7]where from the late 1970s until immigrating to Canada in the 1990s, he collaborated with the lyricistWong Jimon many memorable TV theme songs. Koo has composed over 1,200 songs in his career,[8]many of which arenow considered as classicCantopop[citation needed].He only has 2 notable works as a lyricist, both very short in length and total number of words. One was a children's song about the ten numbers, the other was the ending 'Goodnight' jingle forEnjoy Yourself Tonight.These two little-known facts were revealed byJames Wongin 1998 during a concert dedicated to both Koo and him.

In 1961, he composed his first published song "Dream" (Mộng), which was sung by his sister Koo Mei.[3]He later had another hit song "Suburban Road" giao đạo. In 1974, he wrote the firstCantoneseTV theme songThe Fatal Irony[zh]which was one of the first popularCantopopsongs.[9]

Koo was appointed Member ofOrder of the British Empire(MBE) in 1982. In 1998, he received theBronze Bauhinia Starfrom theHong Kong Government.[3]He also received other awards including Music Accomplishment Award (from Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Ltd.), Highest Honour Award (fromRTHKTen Best Chinese Music Program), Best Music Award and Best Lyric Award (from Asia Film Festival),Hong Kong Film Awards,Taiwan'sGolden Horse Film Festival and Awards.[3]

Koo immigrated to Canada in the 1990s but continued his work in Hong Kong music.[3]In 2007, he wrote the theme song forThe Drive of Life,a drama produced by TVB to celebrate the 10th anniversary of theHong Kong handover.[3]

In 2012 from 30 November to 3 December, he held a concert titled "Joseph Koo Concert 2012" at theHong Kong Coliseum,which featured many singers includingAdam Cheng,George Lam,Teresa Cheung,andAnthony Wong.[10]In 2015, he announced his retirement as a conductor, and that he would significantly reduce his musical works and become an oil painter like his sister.[citation needed]

Koo died inRichmond,Canada on 3 January 2023, at age 91.[11][12][13][14][15]Joseph's son, Koo Chi Ho, revealed that he had suffered symptoms and complications ofCOVID-19and decreased appetite and energy weeks before his death. He was otherwise fit and healthy beforehand.[16]

Selected compositions[edit]

  • Dream ( mộng ) (1961)
  • The Legend of the Book and Sword ( thư kiếm ân cừu lục ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Book and Sword(1976)
  • Hotel ( cuồng triều ), theme song from TV seriesHotel(1976)
  • The Legend of the Heroic Knights ( cận đại hào hiệp truyện ) (1976)
  • Luk Siu Fung ( lục tiểu phượng ), theme song from TV seriesLuk Siu Fung(1976)
  • The Great Vendetta ( đại báo phục ), theme song from TV seriesThe Great Vendetta(1977)
  • A House Is Not a Home ( gia biến ), theme song from TV seriesA House Is Not a Home(1977)
  • Decisive Battle Eve ( quyết chiến tiền tịch ), theme song from TV seriesLuk Siu Fung II(1977)
  • Vanity Fair ( đại hanh ), theme song from TV seriesVanity Fair(1978)
  • The Romantic Swordsman ( tiểu lý phi đao ), theme song from TV seriesThe Romantic Swordsman(1978)
  • Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre ( ỷ thiên đồ long ký ), theme song from TV seriesHeaven Sword and Dragon Sabre(1978)
  • The Flaming Ceremonial Fire ( hùng hùng thánh hỏa ), sub theme song from TV seriesHeaven Sword and Dragon Sabre(1978)
  • The Giants ( cường nhân ), theme song from TV seriesThe Giants(1978)
  • The Oath Must Enter the Mountain of Sword ( thệ yếu nhập đao sơn ), theme song from TV seriesLuk Siu Fung III(1978)
  • Not Sentiments ( tình vị liễu ) (1978)
  • Conflict ( phấn đấu ), theme song from TV seriesConflict(1978)
  • Game of Death ( tử vong du hí ), theme song from the movieGame of Death(1978)
  • Below the Lion Rock( sư tử sơn hạ ) (1979)
  • Over the Rainbow ( thiên hồng ), theme song from TV seriesOver the Rainbow(1979)
  • The Passenger ( quyết trạch ), theme song from TV seriesThe Passenger(1979)
  • Chor Lau Heung ( sở lưu hương ), theme song from TV seriesChor Lau Heung(1979)
  • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ( võng trung nhân ), theme song from TV seriesThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly(1979)
  • The Heroes of Man and Sea ( nhân hải kỳ đàm ) (1979)[17]
  • Xuân vũ loan đao, theme song from TV seriesGod of Sabre( đao thần ) (1979)
  • Wind and Clouds ( phong vân ), theme song from TV seriesThis Land is Mine(1980)
  • Leaves Depart From the Tear Hard to Endure ( nan nhẫn biệt ly lệ ), theme song from TV seriesIn Search of(1980)
  • The Bund of Shanghai ( thượng hải than ), theme song from TV seriesThe Bund(1980)
  • The Brothers ( thân tình ), theme song from TV seriesThe Brothers(1980)
  • The Discovery Bay ( phát hiện loan ), theme song from TV seriesThe Discovery Bay(1980)
  • The Invincible Medic ( nhân giả vô địch ), theme song from TV seriesThe Invincible Medic(1980)
  • Five Easy Pieces ( luân lưu truyện ), theme song from TV seriesFive Easy Pieces(1980)
  • All Kind Sentiments ( vạn bàn tình ), theme song from TV seriesThe Bund II(1980)
  • Eunuch ( long cừu phượng huyết ), theme song from TV seriesEunuch(1980)
  • The Adventurer's ( trùng kích ), theme song from TV seriesThe Adventurer's(1980)
  • The Sentimental Debts ( tình trái ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe Adventurer's(1980)
  • Shanghai Beach of the Dragon Tiger Battle ( thượng hải than long hổ đấu ), theme song from TV seriesThe Bund III(1980)
  • Famous Sword ( danh kiếm ) (1980)
  • Using Love to Steal a Heart ( dụng ái tương tâm thâu ), theme song from TV seriesThe Shell Game(1980)
  • Personhood Loves Freedom ( tố nhân ái tự do ), theme song from TV seriesThe Misadventure of Zoo(1981)
  • Cheers ( ẩm thắng ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe Misadventure of Zoo(1981)
  • In Love and War ( phong hỏa phi hoa ), theme song from TV seriesIn Love and War(1981)
  • Both are forgotten in the mist ( lưỡng vong yên thủy lí ), theme song from TV seriesDemi-Gods and Semi-Devils I( thiên long bát bộ chi lục mạch thần kiếm ) (1982)
  • Breath and Depths of Mountains and Waters ( vạn thủy thiên sơn túng hoành ), theme song from TV seriesDemi-Gods and Semi-Devils II( thiên long bát bộ chi hư trúc truyện kỳ ) (1982)
  • Forgets With All One's Heart the Sentiment ( vong tẫn tâm trung tình ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of Master So(1982)
  • Heart Debt ( tâm trái ), theme song from TV seriesSoldier of Fortune(1982)
  • Being at a High Game ( hung hoài đại chí ), theme song from TV seriesThe Emissary(1982)
  • Approaches the Upstream Silently ( mặc mặc hướng thượng du ) (1982)
  • Iron Blood Loyal Heart ( thiết huyết đan tâm ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes,1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • Meaningful Life ( nhất sinh hữu ý nghĩa ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes,1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • Say Hello to the World ( thế gian thủy chung nhĩ hảo ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes,1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • When Will We Meet Again ( hà nhật tái tương kiến ), theme song from TV seriesThe Return of the Condor Heroes(1983)
  • Keeping Today's Romance ( lưu trụ kim nhật tình ), insert theme from TV seriesThe Return of the Condor Heroes(1983)
  • The Strong Bond of the Two Hearts ( tình nghĩa lưỡng tâm kiên ), insert theme from TV seriesThe Return of the Condor Heroes(1983)
  • You're the One Who Decides to Love ( ái định nhĩ nhất cá ), theme song from TV seriesThe Radio Tycoon(1983)
  • Heroine ( cân quắc anh hùng ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Unknowns(1983)
  • Hands Over My Heart ( giao xuất ngã đích tâm ), theme song from TV seriesWoman on the Beat(1983)
  • Descendants of the Yellow Emperor ( hoàng đế tử tôn ), theme song from the movieZu Warriors from the Magic Mountain(1983)
  • Brave and Fearless ( dũng giả vô cụ ), theme song from TV seriesThe Return of Wong Fei Hung(1984)
  • A Ray of Love ( nhất lũ tình ), insert theme from TV seriesThe Return of Wong Fei Hung(1984)
  • The Demon Region Paradise ( ma vực đào nguyên ), theme song from TV seriesThe Other Side of the Horizon(1984)
  • In Dream Several Sorrow ( mộng lí kỉ phiên ai ), theme song from TV seriesThe Foundation(1984)
  • I Cannot See My Tears Flow ( bất kiến ngã lệ lưu ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe Foundation(1984)
  • It Will Be Throughout Lucky ( thủy chung hội hành vận ), theme song from TV seriesThe Duke of Mount Deer(1984)
  • Sentimental Cold Lust ( tình lãnh tình nhiệt ), theme song from TV seriesSword Stained with Royal Blood(1985)
  • Brave and Invincible ( dũng giả vô địch ), theme song from TV seriesThe Yang's Saga(1985)
  • Me and You, He and Me ( ngã dữ nhĩ tha dữ ngã ), theme song from TV seriesThe Rough Ride(1985)
  • The Song of Chu ( sở ca ), theme song from TV seriesThe Battlefield(1985)
  • The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountains ( tuyết sơn phi hồ ), theme song from TV seriesThe Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountains(1985)
  • Weave Beautiful Dreams ( biên chức mỹ mộng ), theme song from TV seriesHeir to the Throne Is...(1986)
  • In the Sentimental Past ( đương niên tình ), theme song from the movieA Better Tomorrow(1986)
  • Leaves Behind My Fond Dream ( lưu hạ ngã mỹ mộng ), theme song from TV seriesThe Return of Luk Siu Fung(1986)
  • Holds Up the Head to Sing to the Day ( ngang thủ hướng thiên xướng ) (1986)
  • The Illumination of a Thousand World ( quang chiếu vạn thế ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of Wong Tai Sin(1986)
  • Passing With the Wind ( tùy phong nhi thệ ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of Wong Tai Sin(1986)
  • Will Rush Toward Future Day ( bôn hướng vị lai đích nhật tử ), theme song from the movieA Better Tomorrow II(1987)
  • The Infinite Journey ( vô hạn lữ trình ), theme song from TV seriesThe Price of Growing Up(1987)
  • Still the Heart Was Thinking You ( nhưng nhiên tâm tại tưởng nhĩ ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe Price of Growing Up(1987)
  • The Humanity's Mistake ( nhân loại đích thác ), theme song from TV seriesBorn to Be a King(1987)
  • Youth Heart ( thiếu niên tâm ), sub theme song from TV seriesBorn to Be a King(1987)
  • Hu Han Dream ( hồ hán mộng ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Book and Sword(1987)
  • The Chrysanthemum Tears ( cúc hoa lệ ), theme song from TV seriesDeadly Secret(1989)
  • Small Boat Lover ( biển chu tình lữ ) (1989)
  • Wild Rose ( dã mân côi ) (1989)
  • The Special Express ( đặc biệt khoái xa ) (1989)
  • Heart of Fire ( phần tâm dĩ hỏa ) (1990)
  • Young Heartless ( niên thiếu vô tình ), theme song from TV seriesThe God's of Demons of Zu Mountain(1990)
  • Does Not Hope Again Tangled Up ( bất nguyện tái triền miên ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe God's of Demons of Zu Mountain(1990)
  • Long Flow, Not Rest ( trường lưu bất tức ) (1992)
  • The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back ( như lai thần chưởng ), theme song from TV seriesThe Buddhism Palm Strikes Back(1993)
  • Detains the Fall Scenery ( lưu trụ thu sắc ), sub theme song from TV seriesThe Buddhism Palm Strikes Back(1993)
  • The Life Isn't to Drunk Awakenings ( nhất sinh bất túy tỉnh ), theme song from TV seriesThe Condor Heroes Returns(1993)
  • To Die, To A Unique Skill ( tuyệt thế tuyệt chiêu ), theme song from TV seriesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes(1994)
  • Difficult Even Agreement ( ý nan bình ), theme song from TV seriesAgainst the Blade of Honour(1994)
  • You Come to My Next Full Moon ( viên nguyệt hạ nhĩ lai y ngã ), sub theme song from TV seriesAgainst the Blade of Honour(1994)
  • Splendid Story ( tinh thải cố sự ), theme song from TV seriesCorner the Con Man(1997)
  • Has You Rarely ( nan đắc hữu nhĩ ), theme song from TV seriesCorner the Con Man(1997)
  • Top of the Head, One Piece of the Day ( đầu đỉnh nhất phiến thiên ) (1998)
  • The Cool Breeze Does Not Dye ( thanh phong bất nhiễm ), theme song from TV seriesJustice Sung II(1999)
  • The Wine of Mellow Shade ( thuần tửu túy ảnh ), theme song from TV seriesCountry Spirit(2001)
  • The Immortal of the Water Center ( thủy trung tiên ), theme song from TV seriesWhere the Legend Begins(2002)
  • Beautiful Fate ( mỹ lệ duyên phân ), theme song from TV seriesBetter-halves(2003)
  • The Sky is Blue ( thiên giá dạng lam ), theme song from TV seriesDrive of Life(2007)
  • Glory Mark ( quang huy đích ấn ký ) (2008)

References[edit]

  1. ^abFrater, Patrick (4 January 2023)."Joseph Koo, Hong Kong Musician and 'A Better Tomorrow' Composer, Dies at 91".Variety.Retrieved7 January2023.
  2. ^"Joseph Koo".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.2015. Archived fromthe originalon 27 May 2015.
  3. ^abcdef"Joseph Koo Ka-fai - 2011 Honorary Doctorate".Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.2011.Retrieved4 January2023.
  4. ^"Cố gia huy tỷ đệ họa triển vọng trù bách vạn (Joseph Koo and his siblings exhibit paintings for profits)at theWayback Machine(archived 6 December 2008). "WenWeiPo.com31 October 2006. 23 May 2012. Archived from theoriginal.
  5. ^Man 1998,p. 83.
  6. ^"Tributes paid to Cantopop songwriter and composer Joseph Koo, who dies at 92".South China Morning Post.4 January 2023.Retrieved4 January2023.
  7. ^Man 1998,p. 84.
  8. ^Mackie, John (4 January 2023)."'Godfather of Canto-pop' Joseph Koo passes away in Vancouver ".Vancouver Sun.Retrieved5 January2023.
  9. ^"Riding a Melodic Tide: The Development of Cantopop in Hong Kong"(PDF).
  10. ^"Oriental Watch Company Exclusively Presents《Joseph Koo Concert 2012》Press Concerence".Archived fromthe originalon 22 April 2014.Retrieved21 April2013.
  11. ^"Popular Cantopop composer passes away in B.C."5 January 2023.
  12. ^"Music legend Joseph Koo dies in Richmond - BC News".5 January 2023.
  13. ^"'Godfather of Canto-pop' Joseph Koo passes away in Vancouver ".
  14. ^"Hương cảng điện đường cấp âm nhạc gia cố gia huy ly thế hưởng niên 92 tuế".Sing Tao Daily Canada(in Chinese (Taiwan)). 3 January 2023.Retrieved4 January2023.
  15. ^Hồng di lâm (4 January 2023)."Trứ danh tác khúc gia cố gia huy gia nã đại thệ thế hưởng niên 92 tuế".HK01(in Chinese (Hong Kong)).Retrieved4 January2023.
  16. ^Ngu nhạc tân văn đài điện đường cấp âm nhạc đại sư cố gia huy ly thế hưởng niên 92 tuế
  17. ^Man 1998.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
nil
 Golden Needle Award ofRTHKTop Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award
1981 		Succeeded by
Nonoy Ocampo áo kim bảo
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