Joseph Koo

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Koo. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Joseph Koo and the Chinese-style name is Koo Kar-Fai .
Joseph Koo
Hanyu Pinyin
Gù Jiāhuī
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingGu3 Gaa1 fai1
Musical careerAlso known asMoran (莫然)OriginHong KongGenres
Instrument(s)
LabelsNone

Joseph Koo Kar-Fai MBE GBS (Chinese: 顧嘉煇; 25 February 1931[1] – 3 January 2023) was a Hong Kong composer. He used the pen name Moran (莫然) for Mandarin songs early in his career.[2] According to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Koo was one of the most respected composers in Hong Kong.[3]

Early life

Koo was born in Canton, 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 (顧媚) and a younger brother, Koo Kar-Tseung (顧嘉鏘).[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

Koo was sponsored by

Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest movie studios, scoring, among others, the Bruce Lee films Fist of Fury and The Way of the Dragon in 1972.[citation needed
]

Koo joined

Wong Jim on many memorable TV theme songs. Koo has composed over 1,200 songs in his career,[8] many of which are now considered as classic Cantopop[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 for Enjoy Yourself Tonight. These two little-known facts were revealed by James Wong
in 1998 during a concert dedicated to both Koo and him.

In 1961, he composed his first published song "Dream" (夢), which was sung by his sister Koo Mei.[3] He later had another hit song "Suburban Road" 郊道. In 1974, he wrote the first Cantonese TV theme song The Fatal Irony [zh] which was one of the first popular Cantopop songs.[9]

Koo was appointed Member of

Hong Kong Film Awards, Taiwan's Golden 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 for The Drive of Life, a drama produced by TVB to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong handover.[3]

In 2012 from 30 November to 3 December, he held a concert titled "Joseph Koo Concert 2012" at the

Anthony 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 in Richmond, 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 of COVID-19 and decreased appetite and energy weeks before his death. He was otherwise fit and healthy beforehand.[16]

Selected compositions

  • Dream (夢) (1961)
  • The Legend of the Book and Sword (書劍恩仇錄), theme song from TV series
    The Legend of the Book and Sword
    (1976)
  • Hotel (狂潮), theme song from TV series
    Hotel
    (1976)
  • The Legend of the Heroic Knights (近代豪俠傳) (1976)
  • Luk Siu Fung (陸小鳳), theme song from TV series
    Luk Siu Fung
    (1976)
  • The Great Vendetta (大報復), theme song from TV series The Great Vendetta (1977)
  • A House Is Not a Home (家變), theme song from TV series A House Is Not a Home (1977)
  • Decisive Battle Eve (決戰前夕), theme song from TV series Luk Siu Fung II (1977)
  • Vanity Fair (大亨), theme song from TV series Vanity Fair (1978)
  • The Romantic Swordsman (小李飛刀), theme song from TV series The Romantic Swordsman (1978)
  • Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (倚天屠龍記), theme song from TV series
    Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
    (1978)
  • The Flaming Ceremonial Fire (熊熊聖火), sub theme song from TV series
    Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre
    (1978)
  • The Giants (強人), theme song from TV series
    The Giants
    (1978)
  • The Oath Must Enter the Mountain of Sword (誓要入刀山), theme song from TV series Luk Siu Fung III (1978)
  • Not Sentiments (情未了) (1978)
  • Conflict (奮鬥), theme song from TV series Conflict (1978)
  • Game of Death (死亡遊戲), theme song from the movie Game of Death (1978)
  • Below the Lion Rock (獅子山下) (1979)
  • Over the Rainbow (天虹), theme song from TV series Over the Rainbow (1979)
  • The Passenger (抉擇), theme song from TV series
    The Passenger
    (1979)
  • Chor Lau Heung (楚留香), theme song from TV series
    Chor Lau Heung
    (1979)
  • The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (網中人), theme song from TV series
    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
    (1979)
  • The Heroes of Man and Sea (人海奇譚) (1979)[17]
  • 春雨彎刀, theme song from TV series God of Sabre (刀神) (1979)
  • Wind and Clouds (風雲), theme song from TV series
    This Land is Mine
    (1980)
  • Leaves Depart From the Tear Hard to Endure (難忍別離淚), theme song from TV series In Search of (1980)
  • The Bund of Shanghai (上海灘), theme song from TV series The Bund (1980)
  • The Brothers (親情), theme song from TV series The Brothers (1980)
  • The Discovery Bay (發現灣), theme song from TV series The Discovery Bay (1980)
  • The Invincible Medic (仁者無敵), theme song from TV series The Invincible Medic (1980)
  • Five Easy Pieces (輪流傳), theme song from TV series
    Five Easy Pieces
    (1980)
  • All Kind Sentiments (萬般情), theme song from TV series The Bund II (1980)
  • Eunuch (龍仇鳳血), theme song from TV series
    Eunuch
    (1980)
  • The Adventurer's (衝擊), theme song from TV series The Adventurer's (1980)
  • The Sentimental Debts (情債), sub theme song from TV series The Adventurer's (1980)
  • Shanghai Beach of the Dragon Tiger Battle (上海灘龍虎鬥), theme song from TV series The Bund III (1980)
  • Famous Sword (名劍) (1980)
  • Using Love to Steal a Heart (用愛将心偷), theme song from TV series The Shell Game (1980)
  • Personhood Loves Freedom (做人愛自由), theme song from TV series The Misadventure of Zoo (1981)
  • Cheers (飲勝), sub theme song from TV series The Misadventure of Zoo (1981)
  • In Love and War (烽火飛花), theme song from TV series
    In Love and War
    (1981)
  • Both are forgotten in the mist (兩忘煙水裡), theme song from TV series Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils I (天龍八部之六脈神劍) (1982)
  • Breath and Depths of Mountains and Waters (萬水千山縱橫), theme song from TV series Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils II (天龍八部之虛竹傳奇) (1982)
  • Forgets With All One's Heart the Sentiment (忘盡心中情), theme song from TV series The Legend of Master So (1982)
  • Heart Debt (心債), theme song from TV series
    Soldier of Fortune
    (1982)
  • Being at a High Game (胸懷大志), theme song from TV series
    The Emissary
    (1982)
  • Approaches the Upstream Silently (默默向上游) (1982)
  • Iron Blood Loyal Heart (鐵血丹心), theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • Meaningful Life (一生有意義), theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • Say Hello to the World (世間始終你好), theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes, 1983. Sung by Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng
  • When Will We Meet Again (何日再相見), theme song from TV series The Return of the Condor Heroes (1983)
  • Keeping Today's Romance (留住今日情), insert theme from TV series The Return of the Condor Heroes (1983)
  • The Strong Bond of the Two Hearts (情義兩心堅), insert theme from TV series The Return of the Condor Heroes (1983)
  • You're the One Who Decides to Love (愛定你一個), theme song from TV series The Radio Tycoon (1983)
  • Heroine (巾幗英雄), theme song from TV series The Legend of the Unknowns (1983)
  • Hands Over My Heart (交出我的心), theme song from TV series Woman on the Beat (1983)
  • Descendants of the Yellow Emperor (黄帝子孫), theme song from the movie Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983)
  • Brave and Fearless (勇者無懼), theme song from TV series The Return of Wong Fei Hung (1984)
  • A Ray of Love (一縷情), insert theme from TV series The Return of Wong Fei Hung (1984)
  • The Demon Region Paradise (魔域桃源), theme song from TV series The Other Side of the Horizon (1984)
  • In Dream Several Sorrow (夢裏幾番哀), theme song from TV series
    The Foundation
    (1984)
  • I Cannot See My Tears Flow (不見我淚流), sub theme song from TV series
    The Foundation
    (1984)
  • It Will Be Throughout Lucky (始終會行運), theme song from TV series The Duke of Mount Deer (1984)
  • Sentimental Cold Lust (情冷情熱), theme song from TV series Sword Stained with Royal Blood (1985)
  • Brave and Invincible (勇者無敵), theme song from TV series The Yang's Saga (1985)
  • Me and You, He and Me (我與你 他與我), theme song from TV series The Rough Ride (1985)
  • The Song of Chu (楚歌), theme song from TV series
    The Battlefield
    (1985)
  • The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountains (雪山飛狐), theme song from TV series
    The Flying Fox of the Snowy Mountains
    (1985)
  • Weave Beautiful Dreams (編織美夢), theme song from TV series Heir to the Throne Is... (1986)
  • In the Sentimental Past (當年情), theme song from the movie A Better Tomorrow (1986)
  • Leaves Behind My Fond Dream (留下我美夢), theme song from TV series
    The Return of Luk Siu Fung
     (1986)
  • Holds Up the Head to Sing to the Day (昂首向天唱) (1986)
  • The Illumination of a Thousand World (光照萬世), theme song from TV series The Legend of Wong Tai Sin (1986)
  • Passing With the Wind (隨風而逝), sub theme song from TV series The Legend of Wong Tai Sin (1986)
  • Will Rush Toward Future Day (奔向未來的日子), theme song from the movie A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
  • The Infinite Journey (無限旅程), theme song from TV series The Price of Growing Up (1987)
  • Still the Heart Was Thinking You (仍然心在想你), sub theme song from TV series The Price of Growing Up (1987)
  • The Humanity's Mistake (人類的錯), theme song from TV series Born to Be a King (1987)
  • Youth Heart (少年心), sub theme song from TV series Born to Be a King (1987)
  • Hu Han Dream (胡漢夢), theme song from TV series
    The Legend of the Book and Sword
    (1987)
  • The Chrysanthemum Tears (菊花淚), theme song from TV series Deadly Secret (1989)
  • Small Boat Lover (扁舟情侶) (1989)
  • Wild Rose (野玫瑰) (1989)
  • The Special Express (特別快車) (1989)
  • Heart of Fire (焚心以火) (1990)
  • Young Heartless (年少無情), theme song from TV series
    The God's of Demons of Zu Mountain
    (1990)
  • Does Not Hope Again Tangled Up (不願再纏綿), sub theme song from TV series
    The God's of Demons of Zu Mountain
     (1990)
  • Long Flow, Not Rest (長流不息) (1992)
  • The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back (如來神掌), theme song from TV series The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back (1993)
  • Detains the Fall Scenery (留住秋色), sub theme song from TV series The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back (1993)
  • The Life Isn't to Drunk Awakenings (一生不醉醒), theme song from TV series
    The Condor Heroes Returns
     (1993)
  • To Die, To A Unique Skill (絕世絕招), theme song from TV series The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1994)
  • Difficult Even Agreement (意難平), theme song from TV series Against the Blade of Honour (1994)
  • You Come to My Next Full Moon (圓月下你來依我), sub theme song from TV series Against the Blade of Honour (1994)
  • Splendid Story (精彩故事), theme song from TV series Corner the Con Man (1997)
  • Has You Rarely (難得有你), theme song from TV series Corner the Con Man (1997)
  • Top of the Head, One Piece of the Day (頭頂一片天) (1998)
  • The Cool Breeze Does Not Dye (清風不染), theme song from TV series Justice Sung II (1999)
  • The Wine of Mellow Shade (醇酒醉影), theme song from TV series Country Spirit (2001)
  • The Immortal of the Water Center (水中仙), theme song from TV series Where the Legend Begins (2002)
  • Beautiful Fate (美麗緣份), theme song from TV series
    Better-halves
    (2003)
  • The Sky is Blue (天這樣藍), theme song from TV series
    Drive of Life
     (2007)
  • Glory Mark (光輝的印記) (2008)

References

  1. ^ a b Frater, Patrick (4 January 2023). "Joseph Koo, Hong Kong Musician and 'A Better Tomorrow' Composer, Dies at 91". Variety. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Joseph Koo". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 27 May 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Joseph Koo Ka-fai - 2011 Honorary Doctorate". Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  4. ^ "顧嘉煇姐弟畫展望籌百萬 (Joseph Koo and his siblings exhibit paintings for profits) at the Wayback Machine (archived 6 December 2008)." WenWeiPo.com 31 October 2006. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original.
  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. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  7. ^ Man 1998, p. 84.
  8. ^ Mackie, John (4 January 2023). "'Godfather of Canto-pop' Joseph Koo passes away in Vancouver". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  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 from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  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. Sing Tao Daily Canada
    (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 3 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  15. ^ 洪怡霖 (4 January 2023). "著名作曲家顧嘉煇加拿大逝世 享年92歲". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  16. ^ 娛樂新聞台 殿堂級音樂大師 顧嘉煇離世享年92歲
  17. ^ Man 1998.

Sources

External links
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
nil
 Golden Needle Award of RTHK Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Award
1981 		Succeeded by
Nonoy Ocampo 奧金寶
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