Law Wai Lun

Law Wai Lun (罗伟伦)

Law Wai Lun (罗伟伦; b. 1944, Shanghai, China–) is a composer known for his contributions to the development of the Nanyang Style in Chinese orchestral music. When Law was 12, he entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing where he studied Western classical composition. In 1980, he migrated to Hong Kong where he stayed for 15 years before relocating to Singapore in 1995. While he had experimented with Chinese instruments in his compositions when he was in Hong Kong, it was only until he moved to Singapore when his explorations soared to greater heights and Chinese orchestral music became his main creative output. Inspired by the multi-cultural background of Singapore, Law has composed major works such as The Celestial Web (2003), Prince Sang Nila Utama and Singa (2003), Admiral of the Seven Seas – Zheng He (2005), and Elegance in Nanyin (2011). Besides the Cultural Medallion awarded to him in 2017, Law has received various accolades such as the Golden Sail Award from The Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (2007 and 2016), as well as the Artistic Excellence Award by the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS) in 2017.¹ He was also appointed composer-in-residence at the Singapore Chinese Orchestra from 2012 to 2014 and 2018 to 2020.²

This guide provides supplementary resource for those who are keen to find information and works related to Law Wai Lun.

Books

• 梁荣锦 [Liang, R. J.] (2017). 人民的乐团 : 新加坡华乐团1996-2016 [The people’s orchestra: Singapore Chinese Orchestra 1996-2016]. Singapore: Singapore Chinese Orchestra. (Call no.: PublicationSG)

• Leong, W. K. (2016). The people's orchestra : Singapore Chinese Orchestra, 1996-2016. Singapore: Singapore Chinese Orchestra. (Call no.: RDIST 784.20605957 LEO -[GCT])

Newspapers

• 蔡雅仪 [Cai, Y. Y.] (2011, November 11). 罗伟伦作品与新加坡华乐团 [Law Wai Lun and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra]. 联合早报 [Lianhe Zaobao], p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

• Nanda, A. (2012, July 17). Orchestra aim for wider reach. The Straits Times, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

• 周雁冰 [Zhou, Y. B.] (2012, July 30). 外来音乐家寻找南洋风 [Foreign musicians search for Nanyang style]. 联合早报 [Lianhe Zaobao], p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

• 周雁冰 [Zhou, Y. B.] (2012, August 11). 新加坡华乐团开季演出: 移民作曲家演绎壮丽狮城 [SCO opens season with migrated composer’s ‘Glorious Lion City’]. 联合早报 [Lianhe Zaobao], p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

• Ho, O. (2017, October 25). Chinese composer helped develop Nanyang music style. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.

Sound recordings

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] (Composer), & 陈瑞献 [Chen, R. X.] (Lyricist). (2006). 天网 [The celestial web]. On 天网 [The celestial web] [CD]. Singapore: Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Call no.: RSING 784.21843 YC (Also available on NL Online)

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] (2006). 乌他马王子与狮子 [Prince Sang Nila Utama and Singa]. On 南洋风: 新加坡篇 [The legend of the river: The story of Lion City] [CD]. Singapore: Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Call no.: RSING 784.2 YC (Also available on NL Online)

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] (2006). 海上第一人: 郑和 [Admiral of the seven seas]. On 南洋风: 新加坡篇 [The legend of the river: The story of Lion City] [CD]. Singapore: Singapore Chinese Orchestra. Call no.: RSING 784.2 YC (Also available on NL Online)

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] (n.d.). 社日 [Offering to the Earth God] [wma]. Retrieved from NL Online.

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] & 陈家荣 [Chen, J. R.] (n.d.). 草原狂想 [Grasslands Fantasia] [wma]. Retrieved from NL Online.

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] (n.d.). 琴缘 [Synergy] [wma]. Retrieved from NL Online.

• 罗伟伦. [Luo, W. L.] (n.d.). 青年序曲 [Overture] [wma]. Retrieved from NL Online.

Videos

• 2017 Cultural Medallion Recipient: Law Wai Lun (2017, November 1). Retrieved 1 November 2021, from National Arts Council Singapore YouTube channel https://youtu.be/jiEPDI9pXvw
  Duration: 1min 54sec

• 访问《船歌》作曲家罗伟伦 [Interview with Composer Law Wai Lun] (2014, December 31). Retrieved 1 November 2021, from Singapore Chinese Orchestra YouTube channel https://youtu.be/-gG5luDLGRY
  Duration: 2min 59sec

• Ruan Lingyu’s The Goddess – A Silent Film Concert (2020, August 21). Retrieved 1 November 2021, from Singapore Chinese Orchestra YouTube channel https://youtu.be/Hn4VGI7phuQ
  Duration: 1hr 28min 29sec

Websites

• Chow, Y. P. (2017). Law Wai Lun: An exquisite journey. Retrieved 2021, November 1 from National Arts Council website: https://www.nac.gov.sg/singapore-arts-scene/cultural-medallion-and-young-artist-award/cultural-medallion-page/about-the-cultural-medallion

• Legend Music Production. (2021). Law Wai Lun (Singapore). Retrieved 2021, November 1 from Legend Music website: http://legend-me.com/law-wai-lun-singapore/

Footnotes

¹ Ho, O. (2017, October 25). Chinese composer helped develop Nanyang music style. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Chow, Y. P. (2017). Law Wai Lun: An exquisite journey. Retrieved 2021, November 1 from National Arts Council website: https://www.nac.gov.sg/singapore-arts-scene/cultural-medallion-and-young-artist-award/cultural-medallion-page/about-the-cultural-medallion

² Singapore Chinese Orchestra Company Ltd. (2020). Annual Report FY 2019/2022. Retrieved 2025, June 2 from Singapore Chinese Orchestra website: https://sco.com.sg/corporate/about-the-company/annual-reports/