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Xia Gang directed this Chinese drama, beginning in the late '50s and spanning four decades. Jiansheng (Wang Luoyong) learned classical music from his father (Da Shichang), missed a concert career because of the Cultural Revolution (when Western music was banned), and turned to teaching. His fascination with music led his girlfriend (Zhang Xi) to marry someone else, and later, his wife (Yan Xiaopin) left for the United States. The impact of the Cultural Revolution on people is the film's main theme. Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 is featured. Shown at the 1998 East West Film Festival (London).