Leonard Cohen's death strikes chord around the world

​The death of world-renowned musician Leonard Cohen has prompted an outpouring of support and condolences from both the international stage and his beloved hometown of Montreal.

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"I was just glad I was able to know him," said songwriter Martha Wainwright, adding that he lived a long and incredible life.

"He was very smart, when he spoke you listened."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the singer-songwriter, who died at the age of 82, would be missed by both Canada and the world.

Artists and musicians also immediately took to social media to mourn the loss of Cohen and pay tribute to his life's work.

"A brilliant Canadian artist passed today," actor Kiefer Sutherland wrote.

Many shared messages of grief to mark the passing of the musical legacy and his powerful poetry. Justin Timberlake described Cohen as a "spirit and soul beyond compare."

"One of the greatest, deepest and wisest to ever bless us with his songs," wrote musician Tom Morello.

Poetry and melody

"There truly was not a better songwriter on the planet ... #LeonardCohen's sublime poetry set into motion with melody. Mind-boggling," singer Jann Arden said on Twitter.

Elton John hailed Cohen's "unique" gifts. ‏"A giant of a man and a brilliant songwriter. Irreplaceable. Loved him and his wonderful music. #LeonardCohen #RIP," he tweeted.

Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot recalled Cohen as a contemporary, as they both rose to fame during the 1960s folk scene.

 "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my contemporary, colleague, fellow Canadian and my dear friend Leonard Cohen. He loved music and his music affected millions of people around the world.  He will be greatly missed," he said.

Others took to reciting the lyrics and prose of the acclaimed musician, poet, novelist and artist.

The announcement of Cohen's passing comes just a few weeks after his latest album, You Want It Darker, was released on Oct. 28, 2016.

"Cohen's distinctive voice and storytelling through music explored themes of love, loss, and hope. He was amongst the most influential songwriters in the world," said Peter Herrndorf, the National Arts Centre's president and CEO, in a statement.

'One of our greatest Montrealers'

Flowers and candles have been placed on the doorstep of Cohen's former home in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood, where Montrealers gathered to bid adieu and pay their respects by singing some of his best-known songs.

Cohen touched the lives of many Montrealers, even if they had never met him.

"He just seemed to have a singular mission to seek the truth unselfishly," said Joshua Levy.

It was one of many tributes, with another held at the city's Bell Centre during the Montreal Canadiens hockey game.

Win Butler, from Montreal band Arcade Fire, recalled that Cohen had made him feel at home in Montreal when he had first arrived in the city.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the city would lower its flag to half-mast to honour Cohen, who was born in Westmount, Que., in 1934.

"We will pay tribute as we should to one of our greatest Montrealers," said Coderre.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard offered his condolences to Cohen's loved ones, adding that Quebec had lost an internationally renowned artist.

Singer k.d. lang, who covered his beloved song Hallelujah during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, remembered Cohen as"an elegant practitioner of the senses. Fully engaged in the realm of desire and yet fully dedicated to the spiritual."