Painter Bui Duc Lam received the sad news from the composer's daughter. They last met in January, when Nguyen Vu was still healthy and alert.

Lam had known Nguyen Vu for over 40 years. At the time, Lam wanted to study music and was introduced to Nguyen Vu. In Lam's memory, the composer had a gentle face and refined manners. Nguyen Vu often wore an old charcoal purple khaki shirt, the collar frayed but clean and tidy. After listening to Lam play, he agreed to tutor him three times a week, the fee "not important". "Although I only studied for a few months, I always admired him for his morality, humility, and subtle empathy," Lam said. The two became lifelong friends.

Famous singer Thai Chau, the first to perform Nguyen Vu's "A Sad Hymn", said, "Thanks to this song, my name became widely known and loved by the audience. I am always grateful to the composer for entrusting this piece to me." Chau fondly remembers meeting Nguyen Vu on the program "The Storyteller" in 2021. "I was very moved when I shook his hand and thanked him," Chau said.

Composer Nguyen Vu in a portrait by Bui Duc Lam. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Composer Nguyen Vu in a portrait by Bui Duc Lam. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Nguyen Vu, whose real name was Nguyen Tuan Khanh, was born in 1944 in Hanoi. In 1954, he moved south with his family to Da Lat. From a young age, he studied music theory and played instruments like the guitar, harmonica, and piano. At 12, he won first prize in a children's solo singing contest organized by Da Lat Radio.

In 1965, he wrote his first song, "A Seabird". From around 1967, he became better known for songs with the word "last", such as "Last Words for You", "Last Glance at Each Other", and "Last Song for a Lover".

After 1975, he worked at Central Pharmaceutical Enterprise 22. From around 1990 onwards, he opened a music class at his home in Tan Binh District (TP HCM).

His most famous song, "A Sad Hymn", was written in October 1972. Thai Chau was the first to sing it, in the "Son Ca 3" compilation. The nostalgic, lyrical song has resonated with generations of music lovers.

In 1972, when asked by a producer to write a song, Nguyen Vu struggled for days to find a theme. Suddenly, the melody of the timeless hymn "Silent Night" (lyrics by Josef Mohr, music by Franz Xaver Gruber) echoed in his home. The song evoked many childhood memories. At 14, his family lived near the slope leading to Con Ga Church (Da Lat). Every time the church bell rang, he would see a beautiful girl going to mass. He quietly followed her many times. On Christmas Day, a light rain fell, and they both coincidentally took shelter under the same eaves.

"I was unexpectedly moved when I heard her humming along to 'Silent Night' in a lovely voice. Hearing the song again brought back those memories, and the melodies flowed. In just about two hours, I had transcribed the song. When I played it back on my guitar, I was moved myself. Thai Chau was the first to sing it, and it immediately became the biggest hit of that Christmas season," Nguyen Vu once recounted.

Over half a century later, Nguyen Vu's "A Sad Hymn" continues to be performed by generations of singers. Many listeners consider Elvis Phuong's rendition to be the definitive version.

Ha Thu - Hoang Dung