'World has lost a great musician'

Renowned Chinese violinist Sheng Zhongguo died of a heart attack in Beijing on Friday. He was 77 years old.

Sheng, considered one of China's most talented violinists, was known for his interpretation of the The Butterfly Lovers violin concerto, composed in 1959 by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang, when both were students at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Sheng's violin playing finely matched technical expertise with personal warmth. He recorded and toured extensively worldwide and taught many promising young violinists. He received numerous music awards, including China Gold Record Awards, the country's highest music industry award, which was begun by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television and organized by China Record Corp, the oldest and largest record company in China.