The concert will feature a variety of traditional and contemporary Vi-Giam songs, showcasing the works of these five famous composers. The performance will include both solo and group performances, and will feature a wide range of musical instruments. Audience members will be able to experience the unique and beautiful sounds of Vi-Giam music, and learn more about the history and culture of the composers. This concert promises to be a memorable event, and will provide an unforgettable experience for music lovers everywhere.
The upcoming concert, Mach Nguon Vi-Giam, will be a special event, showcasing the works of five renowned composers: Nguyen Van Ty, Nguyen Tai Tue, Hong Đang, Nguyen Trong Tao and An Tuyên. It will feature a wide range of traditional and contemporary Vi-Giam songs, performed by both soloists and groups, and incorporating a variety of musical instruments. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the unique and beautiful sounds of Vi-Giam music, and gain insight into the history and culture of the composers. This will be an unforgettable experience for music lovers, and an event that is sure to be remembered for years to come.
Vietnamese music has been greatly enriched by composers from the central province of Nghe An. These talented individuals have made significant contributions to the country’s music scene.
Nguyen Van Ty (1925-2019) was one of the five founders of the Vietnam Musicians’ Association and a renowned musician of his time. He dedicated his life to travelling around the country, entertaining audiences and leaving a legacy of beloved songs, such as Me yeu con (Mother’s love), Nguoi di xay ho Ke Go (The person who built Ke Go Lake), and Mot khuc tam tinh nguoi Ha Tinh (A piece of the heart of Ha Tinh people). Consequently, Ty’s influence continues to resonate in Vietnamese music even after his passing.
Hong Dang (1936-2022) left a lasting legacy of over 1,000 musical works, with many beloved songs that have captivated generations. In 2001, he was honored with the State Prize for Literature and Art, as well as the Bui Xuan Phai Prize for the Love of Hanoi. His works have provided an enduring source of joy and inspiration for listeners around the world.
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| People’s Artist Le Tien Tho will be the director of the program. Photo: Ngo Minh |
His works are played in many places and provinces in Vietnam.
Nguyen Tai Tue (1936-2022) was a renowned composer well-known for his inspiring works that were heavily influenced by the vi-giam folk singing of Nghe Tinh province, now comprising of both Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. Despite not having any formal training in music, his compositions have found their way into the hearts of many and are widely heard throughout the country.
Nguyen Trong Tao (1947-2019) was a renowned composer who left an indelible mark on the music industry with his melodious songs celebrating popular images of his beloved homeland, such as rivers and wharves. He was fondly referred to as “the one who came out of the folk song” and as “the musician of the Vietnamese homeland.”
He was born in Pho Tho Province, Vietnam, in 1949. As a child, he was fond of traditional music and learned to play the dan bau (a traditional Vietnamese instrument). An Thuyen was able to combine traditional music with modern music, and his works are appreciated for their poetic beauty. He was awarded numerous awards, such as the Golden Bell Prize in 2006 and the Music Award of Vietnam in 2008. An Thuyen was a pioneer of Nghe Tinh folk singing and his works are considered a masterpiece of Vietnamese music. He passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations. An Thuyen (1949-2015) was a pioneering musician who skilfully developed the quintessence of Nghe Tinh folk singing in his works: Ca dao em va toi (A folk song of you and me), Ha Tinh minh thuong (Ha Tinh I love). Born in Pho Tho Province, Vietnam, in 1949, he was deeply passionate about traditional music and learned to play the dan bau (a traditional Vietnamese instrument). His artistry was renowned for its unique fusion of traditional and modern music, as well as its poetic beauty. An Thuyen was the recipient of numerous awards, such as the Golden Bell Prize in 2006 and the Music Award of Vietnam in 2008. His works remain a timeless masterpiece of Vietnamese music, and his legacy will be remembered and cherished for generations.
The Nghe An Compatriots Association is honoring talented composers from Nghe An Province, who are also renowned composers in the nation. This program is being organized as a tribute to their impressive achievements.
Chairman of the association, Le Doan Hop, former Minister of Information and Communications, stated that the event was highly meaningful as it paid tribute to renowned composers and celebrated the 113th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19).
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| Singer Thanh Lam will star in the show. Photo courtesy of the singer |
We decided to choose Mach Nguon Vi Giam as the theme of the show because all of the composers find inspiration from the homeland’s vi-giam singing. They grew up surrounded by vi-giam lullabies, and their songs are heavily influenced by the melodies of vi-giam – which UNESCO has recognized as an intangible cultural heritage,” said Hop.
People’s Artist Le Tien Tho will direct an exhilarating program that will feature performances from some of the most renowned singers, including Thanh Lam, Pham Phuong Thao, Anh Tho, Duc Long, and Vu Thang Loi. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to witness their incredible musical talent!
The show will take place on May 14 at Cultural Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi. It will be broadcast live on Nghe An Television (NTV).
According to UNESCO, vi-giam songs are sung a cappella while people engage in activities such as cultivating rice in the fields, rowing boats, making conical hats, or lulling children to sleep. The lyrics of vi-giam songs are composed in the dialect and with the linguistic idioms of the Nghe Tinh region, and practitioners sing with the unique singing style of the local people. These songs often serve to promote and uphold important values and virtues such as respect for parents, loyalty, care, devotion, honesty, and a good heart with regards to preserving village customs and traditions.
A Talented Maker of Musical Instruments
We visited the musical instrument making workshop of Cao Ky Kinh in Thanh Cong Ward, Ba Dinh District of Hanoi where he was busy sawing a wood plate to make a two-string zither’s rod. Welcoming us to his house, Kinh took a bamboo flute and played it beautifully. The sounds went up and down, attracting our full attention.
Se Dang youth inspires passion for traditional music
Despite not having undergone any training in music, 26-year-old Tis of the Se Dang ethnic group in Dak Lak province, can make and play many musical instruments of the Central Highland region. He also teaches local children to play music.
A Successful School Band
The band of Vo Thanh Trang Secondary School in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City was established on December 25, 2001. It had its premiere performance for the pupil’s flag raising on the first day of that week. The music of Vietnam’s national anthem played by the young instrumentalists impressed everyone. Since then, the band has developed, and so far it has had 1,450 performances in Vietnam and abroad.
Artisan strives to keep Khao melodies alive
Vang Sin Phin, a musical maestro from the northern province of Lao Cai, has dedicated himself to collecting musical instruments and preserving the folklore melodies of his people.
H’mong spring festival enchants Hanoians
A festival featuring the traditional New Year celebrations of the H’mong ethnic minority group was held along the Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian mall in Hanoi on January 10. Organised by the H’mong community living in the capital, the annual festival celebrates their traditional New Year and promotes their cultural characteristics.
