The “Hanoi Concert – Autumn Nostalgia” program, presented by Hanoi Radio and Television, returned on the evening of December 7 at the Ho Guom Theater, offering a myriad of emotions for the audience.
Under the skilled direction of conductor Honna Tetsuji, together with the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra and various renowned artists, the concert featuring timeless songs about Uncle Ho and Hanoi capital delivered a captivating musical experience, affirming the artistic brand of the capital city.
A performance at the “Hanoi Concert – Autumn Nostalgia” program
Timeless Melodies
The “Hanoi Concert” series is one of the brands created by Hanoi Radio and Television to disseminate classical music to a broader audience.
Following the success of two previous concerts, “Hanoi Concert – New Year Symphony 2023” on the first day of the year and “Hanoi Concert – Melodies of the Soldiers” in July, “Hanoi Concert – Autumn Nostalgia” seamlessly blends classical music with iconic songs about Hanoi’s autumn throughout different periods.
Meticulously prepared over several months, “Hanoi Concert – Autumn Nostalgia” with its two parts left a beautiful impression on the audience, especially as the musical night unfolded at the Hanoi Opera House – considered the most modern theater in Vietnam at the current time.
Part 1: “Revolutionary Autumn – Historical Autumn”. In this segment, themed “Revolutionary Autumn – Historical Autumn,” the audience enjoyed works imbued with historical significance, such as “The Returning One Bringing Joyful Days,” “Facing Hanoi,” “The Person is the Belief in Absolute Victory,” “The Heroic Spirit of Thang Long,” and more. Director of Music Tran Manh Hung arranged these songs about President Ho Chi Minh and distinctive tunes about the capital, infusing them with new orchestration featuring various instruments such as cello and clarinet.
Despite being occupied with numerous musical projects, composer Tran Manh Hung dedicated his passion to this concert. He expressed that Hanoi always resides in his heart; hence, when orchestrating these timeless pieces associated with the capital, he strives to bring fresh emotions to the audience.
Transitioning to Part 2 with the theme “Cultural Autumn – Natural Autumn,” the gentle and romantic side of Hanoi’s autumn unfolded through familiar songs like “Love for Hanoi,” “Remembering Hanoi,” “Remembering Hanoi’s Autumn,” “Hanoi with Falling Leaves,” “Hanoi’s Green Sky,” “Hanoi’s Return Day,” “Dream of Autumn Leaves,” and “Autumn’s Jewel.”
Outstanding Vietnamese artists, including pianists, cellists, violinists, clarinetists, and excellent soprano and tenor voices like Lan Anh, Dinh Trang, and Vu Thang Loi, delivered magnificent musical performances alongside the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra.
While Vu Thang Loi immersed the audience in the poignant music of “Emotions of October,” singer Lan Anh, with grace and tenderness, presented “Hanoi in the Falling Leaves.” The program’s refreshing touch came from the young music group Oplus, introducing a vibrant and novel interpretation of songs praising President Ho Chi Minh.
As an audience member, Ms. Nguyen Thu Hien (Trung Van Ward, Nam Tu Liem District) shared, “Hanoi Concert – Autumn Nostalgia” was meticulously crafted and sophisticated, narrating a beautiful story about Hanoi through music. It not only showcased high artistic quality but also held significance in praising President Ho Chi Minh and the capital city.
Immersive Hanoi Music Atmosphere
A special guest from the Ho Chi Minh City Symphony Orchestra made her debut appearance at the “Hanoi Concert” – singer Khanh Ngoc. She left her mark with her high-pitched voice performing the piece “Love for Hanoi” and a duet with singer Dinh Trang in the song “Dream of Autumn Leaves.”
Notably, the concert featured the participation of conductor Phan Do Phuc, a renowned cellist who has won numerous first prizes at international chamber music competitions in Italy and the United States. In this concert, he played the role of a skillful cellist. This marked his second appearance alongside conductor Honna Tetsuji in the role of a cellist.
Sharing his thoughts on the concert, Phan Do Phuc expressed, “Despite performing across continents, as a Hanoian, every time I perform in our beloved capital, I still feel excited and moved.”
One of the highlights of the program was a clarinet performance of the piece “Remembering Hanoi” by artist Tran Khanh Quang. Possessing major international awards in classical music and the clarinet, Tran Khanh Quang is known to the music-loving public for his inspirational solo performances. His master’s degree from the United States and extensive international touring experience have endowed Tran Khanh Quang with professional performance skills that captivate audiences in the program.
The program also saw the contribution of the highly skilled conductor Honna Tetsuji. With significant contributions to the technical aspects of the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra, he has brought many training projects to Vietnam, collaborated with international artists, and served as the driving force behind the “Hanoi Concert” series throughout the past year. He shared, “To prepare for the performance, the orchestra and artists underwent meticulous rehearsals to deliver a music atmosphere rich in Hanoi’s essence.”
The “Hanoi Concert – Autumn Nostalgia” concluded with 14 artistic pieces, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. In the chilly winter night, the audience immersed themselves in the warm ambiance of timeless songs about Hanoi’s autumn, deepening their understanding and love for this culturally rich land of a thousand years.
Hoang Lan
“Hà Nội Concert – Nỗi nhớ mùa thu”: Định vị thương hiệu nghệ thuật của Thủ đô (hanoimoi.vn)