An Academic Biography of Liu Ching-chih: A Man of "a Pure Heart"

This book is an academic biography of Liu Ching-chih, a renowned musicologist and translation scholar, and a prolific music critic in Hong Kong. It relies on systematic analyses of texts and interview data to present a multifaceted character whose scholarship spanned music criticism, the history of new music in China, and translation. The chapters document Liu's process of working on his major book projects, portray him as a scholar-music critic, and feature his leadership at the Hong Kong Translation Society. The book provides a valuable reference for those interested in humanities scholars, public intellectuals, music criticism, music research, and civic societies in Hong Kong, as well as the academic exchange between Hong Kong and mainland China during the 1980s-1990s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 428 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: Bridge21 Publications, LLC

This book is a comprehensive academic biography of Liu Ching-chih, a renowned musicologist and translation scholar, and a prolific music critic in Hong Kong. Three Library Collections, named after him, are housed in the University of Hong Kong Libraries, the Hong Kong Central Library, and the Library of the Institute of Chinese Studies of the University of Heidelberg. This volume of life writing stands out from average biographies due to its reliance on systematic analyses of a vast array of texts and interview data. The chapters integrate chronologies, narratives, analyses, and intertextual connections, with Liu's voice foregrounded, to present a multifaceted character whose decades-long scholarship spanned across music criticism, the history of new music in China, and translation. Several chapters document Liu's process of working on his major book projects, while one chapter portrays him as a scholar-music critic, and another features his leadership at the Hong Kong Translation Society. A chapter that documents Liu's immensely rich array of academic and cultural services in Hong Kong is followed by a linguistic and cultural profile of the scholar. The concluding chapter, on the biography project itself, traces the evolution of the project, explains the research methodology, and provides a metadiscoursal account of the writing of the book.

The book offers valuable insights for those interested in humanities scholars, public intellectuals, music criticism, music research, and civic societies in Hong Kong. It also sheds light on the academic exchange between Hong Kong and mainland China during the 1980s-1990s, and explores an interdisciplinary approach in life writing research and the genre of life writing, particularly focusing on scholars.

Liu Ching-chih's life and career are intricately intertwined with the cultural and academic landscape of Hong Kong. Born in 1933 in Guangzhou, China, Liu moved to Hong Kong in 1949 and pursued his education at the University of Hong Kong, where he studied musicology and Chinese literature. He began his career as a music critic and musicologist, writing for various newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Liu was actively involved in various cultural and civic organizations. He served as the president of the Hong Kong Translation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the translation of Chinese literature and culture into English. Liu was also a member of the Hong Kong Academy of Film Arts, the Hong Kong Arts Festival Committee, and the Hong Kong Film Critics Society.

Liu's academic contributions to musicology and translation were significant. He published numerous books and articles on music criticism, the history of new music in China, and translation. His book, "The Music Critic as Scholar: An Essay on the Work of C. Schonberg," is a seminal work in the field of music criticism, exploring the role of music critics as scholars and the impact of their work on the development of music criticism.

Liu's translation work was also noteworthy. He translated numerous works of Chinese literature into English, including works by Lu Xun, Mao Zedong, and Wang Shaoguang. His translations were widely acclaimed and played a crucial role in promoting Chinese literature and culture to a global audience.

In recognition of his contributions to musicology and translation, Liu received numerous awards and honors. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in 2002, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the cultural and academic life of Hong Kong. Liu was also the recipient of the Hong Kong Translation Society's Translation Award in 2003 and the Hong Kong Arts Festival's Outstanding Contribution Award in 2004.

Liu's life and career serve as a testament to the power of education, scholarship, and cultural exchange. His unwavering commitment to music criticism, the history of new music in China, and translation has left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of Hong Kong and beyond. This book provides a comprehensive and insightful account of Liu's life and work, offering valuable insights into the life of a scholar and public intellectual.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for those interested in humanities scholars, public intellectuals, music criticism, music research, and civic societies in Hong Kong. It offers a comprehensive and insightful account of Liu Ching-chih's life and work, providing valuable insights into the life of a scholar and public intellectual. Liu's legacy continues to inspire and influence scholars and cultural enthusiasts alike, and his contributions to musicology, translation, and the cultural life of Hong Kong will be remembered for generations to come.

Weight: 936g
Dimension: 197 x 269 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781626430839