Huang You-di, composer of over 2,000 songs and one of the most influential musicians in 20th-century Chinese history, died of respiratory failure at 2 a.m. July 4 in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan.
The downward spiral in the composer’s health began in April 2009, when he was hospitalized due to pleural effusion. Following his discharge he soon returned for a hip joint operation after a fall at home.
Huang underwent an emergency operation for respiratory failure this June, after which he remained at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital for regular dialysis until his death.
Huang passed away in peace, a hospital caregiver said.
Huang was born in Gaoyao County, Guangdong Province, China. He started learning music at age 11 and obtained a degree in education from Sun Yat-Sen University at 23.
From then on, he dedicated himself to the teaching and creating of music, as an educator, composer, performer, conductor and even literary writer. He stressed that music should be part of everyday life.
Many of Huang’s songs are long-time hits, such as “Azaleas,” a song on the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) that remained well loved for over six decades. Among his other popular songs are “No Return for Home,” “Moonlight Melody,” “Yearning for Home,” “Oblivion” and “March of Soldiers.”
The artist continued writing songs even after he moved from Hong Kong to Kaohsiung at age 76. His later creations were closely related to the city, such as “Song of the Silk Cotton Tree,” “I Love Kaohsiung” and “Salute to Kaohsiung.” He also conducted for various local choirs.
All the songs Huang wrote will be available to the public for free, as stipulated in his will.
Late in life Huang converted to Buddhism at the Yuen Chao Temple in Kaohsiung County, where he lived with the monks for nearly two years.
“Huang always looked on the bright side of life and never spoke ill of others,” a Buddhist master at the temple said.
Huang’s body was moved to Yuen Chao July 4. A memorial ceremony will be held 9 a.m. July 13 at the temple. (TYH-THN)