Quang Le shared that he flew from abroad to TP HCM last night to attend the funeral of his close musician friend. For the singer, "Coi Nho" is one of his most cherished hits, holding many memories with the composer.
Quang Le sings "Coi Nho" at musician Song Tra's farewell ceremony. *Video: Provided by singer*
According to Quang Le, many years ago, this composition was little known. Upon hearing the melody, he expressed a desire to record it, and the musician agreed and signed it for him. The song later gained prominence on overseas stages, attracting over six million views on YouTube. The track expresses a young man's sentiments about a past relationship: "Oh! Old stories are gone, old stories are gone, yet they remain in life/ Now it's still the same, I am alone/ Fate and life/ Who can understand another's heart...".
Before the coffin, the singer was moved as he recalled his long association with musician Song Tra. Each time he returned to Vietnam, Quang Le often visited Song Tra's home in Tay Thanh ward, Tan Phu district (formerly), where the composer would sign books for him. The musician frequently entrusted him with compositions to record, such as "Coi Dem", a song he included in an album of the same name.
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Quang Le visits musician Song Tra's home in 2016. *Photo: Provided by singer*
The musician passed away on 12/9 due to old age and weakness, leaving many admirers with regret. Singer Phuong Anh said that one day before his passing, she visited him and was saddened that he no longer recognized her. Phuong Anh expressed gratitude because many of Song Tra's songs helped bring her name closer to the public. "Whenever I perform, audiences often request his hits, such as 'Chieu San Ga' and 'Coi Nho'", she shared.
Musician Song Tra, also known by the pen name Hoai Thu, whose real name was Tran Huu Chau, was born in 1940 in Quang Ngai. He graduated from the National School of Music and Drama (now the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music) and taught music at various schools in Vung Tau. He composed many popular lyrical songs including "Coi Nho", "Coi Dem", "Chieu San Ga", "Toi Yeu Nguoi, Toi Xa Nguoi", and "Hoa Tim Doi Cho". "Chieu San Ga" is one of his most beloved works, performed by vocalists Bang Tam, Nhu Hoa, and Phuong Anh. Many recordings have garnered millions of listens on YouTube.
His name was prominent in the bolero music scene, alongside composers such as Chau Ky, Mac The Nhan, Thanh Son, Truc Phuong, and Le Minh Bang. Musician Chau Ky once trusted him to revise a song due to his formal training. In 1970, he, along with musicians Hoang Thi Tho, Pham Duy, and Thong Dat, traveled to Japan for artistic performances. After 1975, he established the Sai Gon - Gia Dinh Artists Club in TP HCM.
"Chieu San Ga" performed by Phuong Anh. *Video: Provided by singer*
Love for his homeland is evident in many of his compositions. To commemorate his hometown river, the musician chose the pen name Song Tra, embedding his longing into many songs, notably "Thuong Lam Tra Giang": "The echoes remain, the echoes remain/ Though many years have passed, though many years have passed/ Still imprinted in my heart, how can I forget/ The village river, the bamboo groves, the path home". The musician also composed many children's songs performed by singer Xuan Mai.
Quang Le, 47 years old, was born in Hue and settled in the US as a child. He made his mark with songs such as "Suong Trang Mien Que Ngoai" (Dinh Mien Vu), "Co Hang Xom" (Le Minh Bang), "Dap Vo Cay Dan" (Le Mong Bao), and "Doi Mat Nguoi Xua" (Ngan Giang). Since 2010, he has frequently returned to Vietnam to perform. In 2017, he was one of four coaches for the second season of the "Than Tuong Bolero" program.
Mai Nhat
