Ma Sicong (left) in the 1970s. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Once he lost the key to the piano room and had to break the door. The school warned him and did not allow him to play the piano after that.

The incident left him depressed because it was very difficult to find a piano in 1950s' Beijing. He could only cling to the radio every day, hoping to hear some music.

His parents wanted him to work to help the family after high school. He said "sorry" to his mother, telling her he wanted to be a composer.

Shi spent six years at the Central Conservatory of Music, learning both Western classical composition and traditional Chinese and folk music. He joined the faculty in 1961.

Because of his talent, he was chosen to be the co-composer of the famous Chinese ballet Red Detachment of Women.

Later he joined the National Symphony of China as the resident composer to create many symphonic works. Shi also has a knack for writing movie scores. In the past 50 years he has created music for some 50 films.

Shi is one of 29 contemporary Chinese composers whom the NCPA is celebrating through its Symphonic Spring program.