Composer Song Tra, Creator of 'Chieu San Ga', Dies at 86

Renowned Vietnamese composer Song Tra, real name Tran Huu Chau, has passed away at the age of 86. Known for his lyrical compositions such as "Chieu San Ga" (Afternoon at the Train Station) and "Coi Nho" (Realm of Memory), he died at 0:35 AM on September 12 due to old age and frailty. The wake ceremony was held on the afternoon of the same day in Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District (formerly), Ho Chi Minh City. The funeral procession will take place on September 14, with the coffin to be interred at Hoa Vien Binh Duong Cemetery. According to a family representative, his health had been deteriorating for several days. Film director Hong Son, who considered himself a successor to the composer, stated that he and singer Ly Duong visited him a few days prior upon hearing of his declining health, but the composer no longer recognized his colleagues. "I remember afternoons discussing 'nhac vang' (golden music) with him. To me, he was one of the most prominent authors of the bolero genre, with classic love songs like Chieu San Ga and Coi Nho," Hong Son said. Singer Phuong Anh visited him the previous afternoon and was saddened to find the composer did not recognize her. Phuong Anh expressed her gratitude, as many of his bolero songs helped her gain recognition among audiences. "What touched me was receiving compliments from the composer himself. Occasionally, he and his family invited me over for meals and sent many compositions for me to record," the singer shared. Born in Quang Ngai in 1940, Song Tra, also known by the pen name Hoai Thu, graduated from the National Conservatory of Music and Theatre (now Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music). He worked as a music teacher at various schools in Vung Tau. His notable lyrical works include "Coi Nho," "Coi Dem" (Night Realm), "Chieu San Ga," "Toi Yeu Nguoi, Toi Xa Nguoi" (I Love Her, I Leave Her), and "Hoa Tim Doi Cho" (Purple Flowers Await). "Chieu San Ga" is among his most beloved pieces, performed by singers such as Bang Tam, Nhu Hoa, and Phuong Anh, with many recordings achieving millions of views on YouTube. His name is well-known in the bolero music scene, alongside composers like Chau Ky, Mac The Nhan, Thanh Son, Truc Phuong, and Le Minh Bang. Due to his formal training, he was trusted by composer Chau Ky to revise songs. In 1970, he traveled to Japan for an artistic performance with composers Hoang Thi Tho, Pham Duy, and Thong Dat. After 1975, he established the Saigon-Gia Dinh Artists Club in Ho Chi Minh City, engaging in cultural activities. The love for his homeland is evident in many of his compositions. To capture the image of his hometown river, he chose the pen name "Song Tra" (Tra River), imbuing many songs with longing, notably "Thuong Lam Tra Giang" (I Love Tra River So Much): "Still here the echo, still here the echo / Though many years away, though many years away / Still imprinted in my heart, how can I forget / The village well, the sugarcane banks, the bamboo groves, the path home." He also composed many children's songs performed by singer Xuan Mai.