Vietnamese – French contemporary classical music composer Nguyen Thien Dao whose name is in France’s Le petit Larousse and Le Petit Robert dictionaries, died in Paris at 11pm on November 20 (local time) at the age of 75.

The information is confirmed with Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper by musician and music critic Nguyen Thuy Kha, a close friend of the late composer.

Nguyen Thien Dao was diagnosed with liver cancer in October, according to Dan Tri newswire.

Born in 1940 in Hanoi, Nguyen Thien Dao moved to France at the age of 13 under the auspices of Paul Levy - former director of the French Academy of the Far East (EFEO), and later entered the National Conservatory of Music in Paris in 1963.

He was also named in the famous France’s Le petit Larousse and Le Petit Robert dictionaries in 1982 and 1995 respectively, as well as received numerous noble titles granted by France and Vietnam.

He worked in the field of contemporary classical music as well as did research on Vietnamese traditional music.

More than 80 of his works in a variety of kinds including solo, symphony, and opera were performed in many countries.

His music focuses on praising people, fighting for noble living ideals towards a fair and civilized society as well as a peaceful world.

Moreover, he did not only research but also put his heart in promoting Vietnamese traditional music.

He often had talks on folk music with students from music institutes as well as young people every time he came back to Vietnam.

In 2005, the late composer released his work named “Song Than” (Tsunami) depicting Vietnamese history.

In 2013, Nguyen Thien Dao created “Tien Du” (The Karma of Meeting a Fairy) under the request of the Vietnamese Ministry fo Culture, Sports and Tourism and the work was showcased at the Vietnam Year in France in February 2014.