A family representative said he passed away on 8/8 in Ho Chi Minh City, after a period of treatment for various ailments. Director Thanh Hiep, who collaborated with the veteran composer on numerous occasions, expressed his sorrow at the end of the composer's nearly seven-decade career.
"During his lifetime, he once said, 'Music is not just for listening, but for preserving memories.' Now, his songs will serve as a reminder of a composer who spent his life quietly and persistently crafting deeply emotional melodies", the director said.
The memorial service took place at his home on the morning of 9/8, with the funeral procession commencing at 6 a.m. on 12/8. His remains were then cremated at Phuoc Lac Vien, Ho Chi Minh City.
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Composer Mac The Nhan (1939-2025). Photo courtesy of the family |
Composer Mac The Nhan (1939-2025). Photo courtesy of the family
In recent years, the composer's health declined due to a stroke. In 2020, he was hospitalized for a cerebrovascular accident. According to colleagues, despite his weakened state and difficulty walking, he always remained optimistic to alleviate the worries of his family and friends. In June of the same year, several fellow artists organized a concert titled "Cho vua long em" to raise funds for his medical treatment.
Composer Mac The Nhan's real name was Phan Cong Thiet. At the age of three, he began participating in school performances. At 17, he started studying music at the Saigon Popular Music and Dance School. After graduation, he joined the Hoa Nien band and performed on the radio.
He was also a music journalist, using the pen names Mong Thu and Giang Ai Si. His first composition, "Trang que huong", was published in 1958, followed by "Vui tan anh lua" in 1959. Many of his works, such as "Cho vua long em", "Mua xuan cuoi em", and "Em ve voi nguoi", gained popularity.
The song "Cho vua long em" performed by Duy Manh, has attracted over 26 million views on YouTube. Video: Nu Cuoi Vang TV
"Cho vua long em", released in 1973, propelled his musical career to its peak. Initially titled "Cho em vua long", he later enlisted composer Nhat Ngan to revise the lyrics, and they signed the song under the name Phan Tran (a combination of Phan Cong Thiet and Tran Nhat Ngan). The song expresses his heartbreak when his lover in Nha Trang informed him of her impending marriage, with lyrics such as: "I swear I won't love anyone else, because everyone keeps letting me down/ Now I no longer believe there's anyone faithful in this world...". The song has been recorded by numerous singers including Si Phu, Evis Phuong, Che Linh, Huong Lan, and later by Dam Vinh Hung, Cam Ly, Le Quyen, and Duy Manh.
Mai Nhat
