New Vietnamese music:

The new wave of Vietnamese music, particularly in the fields of symphonic and chamber music, is demonstrating strong momentum in creative thinking, technique, and international integration. The maturity of the new generation of composers, the richness of their compositional language, and their open dialogue with contemporary world music were clearly evident at the 4th International New Music Festival recently held in Vietnam, which brought together nearly 300 composers and performing artists from Vietnam and abroad.

Artists performing at the 4th International New Music Festival.

Many generations have collaborated in songwriting.

After a seven-year hiatus, the International New Music Festival (formerly known as the Asia-Europe New Music Festival) returns for its fourth edition, bringing a new lease of life to Vietnam's music scene. This is a rare platform for contemporary Vietnamese and international composers to perform new works, exchange ideas, and expand professional connections. With five concert programs featuring nearly 100 works ranging from symphonies, concertos, choral pieces, chamber music, vocal romances to compositions for traditional instruments, the festival showcases the richness and vitality of contemporary new music. Vietnamese new musical compositions will also be present and harmonized within this event.

This year's festival showcased the enduring talent of many veteran musicians. Associate Professor, Doctor of Music Do Hong Quan presented the ballet suite "Primordial Wilderness," exploring the theme of environmental protection and the relationship between humans and nature. Major General, musician Nguyen Duc Trinh introduced the work "Colors," written for the pipa, utilizing musical elements from various regions. Musician Le Tu Minh evoked strong emotions with "Resurrection," a song born during the Covid-19 pandemic and translated into many languages, contributing to the spread of the Vietnamese spirit…

Furthermore, successive generations of musicians demonstrate abundant creativity, harmoniously blending Vietnamese music with contemporary global influences. Composer Do Kien Cuong presents "Sorrowful Melodies" for chamber orchestra, evoking Kim Trong's longing for Thuy Kieu; composer Tran Dinh Lang presents the concerto "Vietnam - Endless Fields" for zither and strings, inspired by the fertile beauty of his homeland. Composer Pham Minh Thanh recreates the 1010 relocation of the capital in his work "Thang Long" for zither, string quintet, and percussion…

Notably, this year's festival marks the emergence of a generation of well-trained young composers from Generation Z, possessing a spirit of integration and modern thinking. Composer Trinh Vu Dung (born in 2003) presents "That old street that I used to live in my childhood" for string quartet and clarinet - a poetic musical recollection. Composer Nguyen Hong Anh (born in 2005) demonstrates her refined musical sensibility with "Silence" for solo piano. Composer Nguyen Minh Trang introduces "Music for the Sea" - the first work in the duo composition "Music for Land and Sea," inspired by the poetry of two Vietnamese authors…

Integrating the national spirit with the world.

To affirm Vietnam's position on the international music map, not only vocal music but also instrumental music is the field that most directly expresses the essence of this art form. The return of the International New Music Festival is an opportunity to look back at the overall picture of new music, and to "assess" the creative and performing forces in the professional and academic fields of the country.

Since its inception in 2014, over four seasons, the team of professional Vietnamese musicians and artists has grown remarkably. Chairman of the Vietnam Musicians Association, Nguyen Duc Trinh, noted that Vietnamese professional music composition has integrated into the global music scene, especially in the fields of symphonic and chamber music. Alongside seasoned composers who remain prolific, Vietnamese music is currently experiencing a strong development of young composers.

According to Do Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations and Chairman of the Art Council of the Vietnam Musicians Association, the works of Vietnamese musicians presented at this festival affirm the correct direction of development of Vietnamese music, moving from traditional to modern, integrating the national spirit with the world. Many works by Vietnamese musicians use folk and traditional elements, blended with Western musical language, and have been highly appreciated by international composers.

During this festival, many new and challenging works by contemporary Russian, German, and Australian composers were performed flawlessly by Vietnamese artists, demonstrating not only technical precision but also high artistic quality. According to composer Do Hong Quan, along with the development of the creative force, the performing arts team has also grown stronger, creating a sense of pride in a professional Vietnamese music scene that is developing synchronously and confidently integrating into the global music scene.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong emphasized that the Ministry always strongly supports regional and international art activities, while creating favorable conditions for domestic and international musicians and artists to create, arrange, and perform new works. Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong believes that these activities contribute to shaping healthy musical tastes, helping the public get closer to authentic artistic values. From there, music continues to play its role as a bridge connecting people, nurturing spiritual life, and enriching national cultural identity in the context of integration.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/am-nhac-moi-viet-nam-chuyen-nghiep-tu-tin-hoi-nhap-726759.html