1. Musician Trong Luu's real name is Nguyen Trong Luu. I have been to his hometown many times, Cu Khoi ward, Long Bien district, Hanoi, where the ancient village is hidden at the foot of the dyke day and night, listening to the sound of the waves of the Red River crashing against the shore. In 1978, when he had just finished high school, young man Nguyen Trong Luu, then only 3 years old, passed the entrance exam to the Military Medical University (now the Military Medical Academy). He said that there were more than a hundred students in that course. The vast majority are soldiers who passed the school entrance exam, but not many are high school students.
Nguyen Trong Luu became a soldier by "having to" take the university entrance exam because he was not yet 18 years old. After 6 years of studying at the school, like other newly graduated doctors, young military doctor Nguyen Trong Luu was sent to the border. He worked at Treatment Team 39 of Military Station 30, stationed in Dien Bien Phu town (now Dien Bien Phu City) of Lai Chau province.
When the two brothers got acquainted with each other, I once asked: "Knowing that Trong Luu is a son of a musical background, why didn't he choose to follow in his father's footsteps?". Musician Trong Luu smiled without speaking, took the guitar and played a song. Looking at the image of the military doctor relaxingly playing the piano, I suddenly realized that music really helps relieve stress and busyness. Perhaps playing the piano is when the soul is most at peace.
He is the son of musician Trong Loan, the author of the song "From Chau Yen people, I shoot airplanes", a song that when we were in high school, naughty students like us so passionately sang: "Listen to the gurgling stream." rag is cheering to celebrate this victory/ My village just scored a feat in shooting down an American plane... Ah ha...".
At that time, every time I sang, I felt my heart longing to quickly grow up to join the army and achieve achievements like the militia women in the Northwest, so from a young age, young Nguyen Trong Luu lived with music. The musician said: "When I was a child, my father let me take piano lessons under the guidance of teacher Hoang My. Honestly, at that time, I only went to school to learn, but had no concept of learning the piano to become a profession and follow a musical path."
It is known that when he first entered the school, the Military Medical University student brought with him little musical knowledge from his family and piano classes to school, but it was that musical capital that encouraged him to participate in activities. school arts. Musician Trong Luu said that the first song he composed was "Proud to be a Military Medical University Student" in 1980, from which his stage name Trong Luu was born. That first song also opened the way to writing songs continuously until now.
2. Recalling old memories, musician Trong Luu said that in 1987, the unit completed its mission to protect the Northern border and was disbanded. He left the western border region with a first-class Victory Medal. Three, was assigned to work at the Rehabilitation Department, Military Hospital 108.
It was at this hospital that the young doctor, eager to contribute, threw himself into his work and enthusiastically studied to improve his professional qualifications. He received the title of Doctor in 2001, the title of Associate Professor in 2009 and the title of Meritorious Physician in 2010. I congratulated: "In terms of medical expertise, he has been extremely successful. So what about the music path?
Actively studying professionally and also very enthusiastically participating in the artistic movement, musician Trong Luu said that every year when he was a student, he received awards for composing songs to participate in Mass Performing Arts. In 1981, the Military Medical University Performing Arts Team attended the General Logistics Department Performance and won first prize with the opening song called "Springs Following the Party" by author and student Nguyen Trong Luu.
The musician confided: "No matter what, music is in my blood. I was born in an environment filled with sounds and emotions. So after working professionally, I pick up the guitar to compose, to maintain my emotional flow and to feel more confident in my work and life."
Musician Trong Luu is a member of the Vietnam Musicians Association and the Hanoi Music Association. In 2019, he received the "Annual Award" from the Vietnam Musicians Association with the song "Wading Through Thirst". Up to now, he has composed more than a hundred songs, notably the songs: "Lullaby from mother", "Ocean, forest and islands", "The national flag in the middle of the East Sea", "Mother calls my name", " Through the boat, I miss my mother", "There are hearts" and his song "Glory of the 108 Heroes Hospital" have become traditional songs of this leading military hospital.
3. The songs that musician Trong Luu composes often focus on the themes of soldiers, homeland and mother. He often read poems printed in the Military Arts Magazine.
This is also the magazine where his works are published. Finding good poems in the Military Arts Magazine helped him "sing out a song". It is known that this magazine has also awarded excellent works of the year many times to songs by musician Nguyen Trong Luu, such as: "Khuc mother lullaby" and "Thousand trees sing a lullaby to me". ”.
Listening to musician Trong Luu tell the story, I suddenly remembered the song "The National Flag in the East Sea" he wrote in 2014. He said: "That day, as usual, I picked up the newly printed issue of the Military Arts Magazine." read. I came across the poem "There is a national flag in the middle of the East Sea" by poet Nguyen Trong Van.
The author's last name and middle name not only coincide with my last name and middle name, but the main thing is that the poem instilled epic resonance in me with the verse: "There is a national flag reaching far / In the middle of the East Sea, like every inch of a soldier's heart/ Blood is spilled but the red color remains intact/ The proud homeland is blown by the ocean breeze/ With the national flag in the heart/ Blood mixes with the blue sea, blood blends with the rhythm of life/ The country is once more proud proud / To have the national flag flying forever." And so the majestic melody rang in my head, I quickly picked up the guitar and the song was formed."
The song "The National Flag in the East Sea" composed by musician Trong Luu was also quickly staged and recorded by the Arts Department of Vietnam Television, and performed by People's Artist Quoc Hung, it resounded on the airwaves. of Vietnam Television and a number of other television stations.
I asked more about his opinion on music. Musician Trong Luu was silent for a few seconds then reached for the guitar. He played a piece of music before answering: "When I was in school and especially when I went to the border to work, I found music, of course songs, very useful. Many times when studying or professional work is stressful, I pick up the guitar to compose and sing songs to help me relax."
“That makes sense!” – I thought to myself. A doctor's job is to cure diseases and save people. Between that thin line, songs bring confidence and excitement to get the job done. When a doctor takes advantage of his few free hours to enjoy music, it is truly an extremely beneficial spiritual medicine.
I changed the conversation: "You compose songs regularly, so please tell me a little about your professional achievements." Musician, at this time also doctor Nguyen Trong Luu, said "briefly", that is, he has many times been the head of scientific research projects, sometimes at the Institute level, sometimes at the Ministry level and sometimes at the State level. .
At any level, those scientific topics are highly appreciated. Not to mention more than a hundred of his scientific articles have been published. Then he also lectured at the Military Medical Academy, at Hanoi Medical University and right at Hospital 108. He is currently Vice President of the Vietnam Rehabilitation Association.
