THE HANOI CHRONICLE — The Hanoi Opera House will present “GOm Show – Sound from Pottery,” a contemporary musical performance rooted in Vietnamese tradition, later this month.
The captivating stage setup for the GOm Show. Photo: Hoai Huong
Scheduled for the evenings of June 28 and 29, the show promises to take Hanoi residents and visitors on a captivating journey into the heart of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. Through music derived from pottery and everyday objects transformed into artistic instruments, the performance will create an enchanting atmosphere.
Conceived and directed by the esteemed local arts collective, Dan Do, the GOm Show seamlessly blends folk traditions with modern expressions. The unique concept revolves around transforming humble, everyday items such as earthenware jars and clay pots into musical instruments that produce mesmerizing and hauntingly beautiful sounds.
The ensemble has crafted a one-of-a-kind sonic experience using instruments entirely handmade from natural materials. This includes the Trong Chum, or jar drums, made from ceramic jars and rubber tubes, creating deep, resonant bass notes that echo the earth’s primal rhythms.
The collection of instruments also features the Trong Lang, or Lang drums, shaped like traditional Vietnamese rice cakes, offering a warm and grounding sound. Additionally, the Chieng Sanh and Chuong Sanh, ceramic gongs and bells, produce a distinct timbre born from kiln-fired clay. The soft, reverberant texture of rotating ceramic vessels and clay pots completes this extraordinary orchestration of nature’s sounds.
The talented artists from the Dan Do Group, showcasing their creativity and passion.
The performance will include original compositions such as Quay Ve (Return), Thoi Do (The Crimson Era), Xuoi Dong (Downstream), and Tim Hani (Finding Hani). These pieces provide a window into the cultural worlds of various ethnic communities in Vietnam, including the M’nong, Tay, Lo Lo, Nung Din, and E De peoples.
Nguyen Duc Minh, a member of Dan Do, shared, “Indigenous music is the soul of our show. Our instruments are crafted from the earth itself—soil, bamboo, and water. This elemental connection gives our music a deep, primal power that resonates with audiences.”
“These sounds evoke both intimacy and a sense of the otherworldly, stirring strong emotions and connecting us to our cultural roots,” Minh added. “It’s wonderful to see young people embracing our show with such enthusiasm. It confirms that we’re on a meaningful path.”
Local artists elevate Vietnamese indigenous music to new heights, captivating audiences of all ages.
With over 12 years of dedication to their craft, the Dan Do group has consistently pursued authenticity and innovation in their creative endeavors. They gained international acclaim for their previous work, Lang Toi (My Village), a bamboo circus performance that toured Europe and captivated audiences with its seamless blend of traditional Vietnamese aesthetics.
With the GOm Show, the Dan Do group continues to celebrate and promote Vietnam’s indigenous musical heritage on a global scale. Their compositions, though rustic, speak to the human experience with a uniquely Vietnamese voice.
The GOm Show signifies a new chapter in the group’s artistic evolution and a passing of the torch to a younger generation of artists. It serves as a living dialogue between the past and the future, honoring tradition while embracing transformation.
The GOm Show’s unique approach to music, drawing from the very essence of pottery and everyday objects.
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