Chen Gang: key obituary facts
Is Chen Gang dead? Yes. Chen Gang died on July 18, 2026, at age 91.
Cause of death: Chen Gang's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Chen Gang known for?
He was a Chinese composer.
More about Chen Gang
Born: 10 March 1935.
Place of birth: Shanghai.
Gender: male.
Occupation: composer.
Nationality: People's Republic of China.
Education: Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Father: Chen Gexin.
Chen Gang, the Chinese composer best known for Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto, died on July 18, 2026.
Born in Shanghai on March 10, 1935, he grew up in a musical family as the son of songwriter Chen Gexin and began studying piano and composition from an early age with his father and other teachers. He attended the Shanghai Conservatory of Music from 1955 to 1959, majoring in composition.
In 1959, he and fellow student He Zhanhao wrote Butterfly Lovers, the violin concerto that brought him lasting recognition and won five Golden Record prizes and a Platinum Record prize while also gaining wide international success. Chen later taught at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.