Renowned Taiwanese composer Chen Yang dies at 66

Taipei, Dec. 5 (CNA) Golden Melody Award winning Taiwanese composer Chen Yang (陳揚) passed away at the age of 66, according to a Facebook post by his pupil Lu Shao-chun (呂紹淳) on Sunday.

Chen died from an unspecified illness on Nov. 13 after undergoing hospice care in Taiwan, said Lu, also a famous composer in Taiwan.

In an illustrious career Chen won Golden Tripod, Golden Horse, Golden Bell and Golden Melody awards and in 2015 received a Lifetime Contribution Award at the Golden Melody Awards.

Chen was best known for his work in movies made in the late 1980s such as "Osmanthus Alley (桂花巷)" and "The Dull-Ice Flower (魯冰花)."

After 2000 he expanded his oeuvre with more modern songs such as Jolin Tsai's (蔡依林) "Dancing Diva (舞孃)" and movie sound tracks for "You Are the Apple of My Eye (那些年,我們一起追的女孩)" directed by Giddens Ko (九把刀) and "Murmur of the Hearts" (念念) directed by Sylvia Chang (張艾嘉).

Chen also worked with domestic groups including Ju Percussion Group, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, and Greenray Theatre Company.

Despite being deaf in his right ear from birth, Chen demonstrated a passion and talent for music from childhood. He learned the piano at five, wrote an advertisement jingle at eight, and published his first collection of piano works at 15.

"Music is a lifestyle," Chen said. "I got to know music through life, and my life was enriched by music in return. Music is ever-changing and I found satisfaction as well as all I need in these changes. I hope to make people feel equally satisfied through music."