Music blends with the beat of the streets
On the afternoon of November 30, in the sunset gradually falling over Hoan Kiem Lake, the saxophone sounds of Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh and artists of Binh Minh Jazz Club resounded with improvisation and emotion before a large crowd of Hanoians and tourists, at the Octagonal House - Ly Thai To Flower Garden (Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi).
Familiar jazz pieces such as “In the mood”, “Blue Monk”, “Our love is here to stay”, “Blue Moon”, “Dream a little dream of me”, “Mona Lisa”, “When I fall in love”… are dressed in new arrangements, sometimes soft, sometimes explosive, both reminiscent of old Hanoi and reflecting the creative life of the Capital today.
During the 90-minute program, the artists not only brought international music melodies but also Vietnamese songs, including works arranged and transcribed by Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh himself, such as "Village Festival", "Tay Nguyen Improvisation", "Tieng Khen Goi Ban"...
There were impromptu performances, sometimes by Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh alone with the orchestra, sometimes a duet between him and his son - saxophone artist Quyen Thien Dac and sometimes with singers, lecturers and students from professional art training institutions. Many tourists stopped on the walking street to listen to jazz music mixed with the sounds of the street, creating a special cultural experience that few theater stages can offer.
This is the opening performance for the project "Weekend Music" organized by the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports , which will take place every Sunday afternoon from 3:30 p.m., at the Octagonal House - Ly Thai To Flower Garden.
Regarding the idea of launching this space, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong shared that in the cultural life of the capital, music always holds a special position. Music is not only art, but also the breath of the community, a spiritual support that helps each person find balance and relaxation in the midst of modern life. Hanoi City always pays deep attention to the development of professional art and the development of cultural industry to bring art closer to the people, especially in public spaces.
“From that spirit, under the direction and orientation of the city leaders, the accompaniment of units and organizations, especially artists, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports has implemented the project “Weekend Music” with the goal of bringing to the people of the capital and tourists quality art performances. Hopefully, this place will become a familiar cultural meeting place, where music resonates in the historical space of Hoan Kiem Lake, so that the community can relax, feel and connect with art in the most natural and complete way” - Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports Bach Lien Huong emphasized.
Art rendezvous in the heart of the capital
The fact that the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports chose the Octagonal House as the venue shows the mindset of exploiting "dual" values, both promoting the functions of public spaces and turning architectural heritage into a vibrant setting for sublimation of art.
According to the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, in the first phase of the “Weekend Music” project, the Binh Minh Jazz Club of Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh and the band of violinist Tran Anh Tu will take turns performing, combining with singers, students and lecturers from professional art schools.
This is not only an opportunity to bring quality performances to the audience, but also a valuable practice environment for young artists - talents who will contribute to creating the cultural and artistic appearance of the capital in the future.
According to the schedule, along with jazz, folk music, classical music, pop music... will also be introduced in turn, creating diversity and attracting many audiences.
Participating in the opening performance, Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh - who has devoted his life to developing jazz music in Vietnam, could not hide his emotions when returning to the Octagonal House stage after more than two decades. He recalled performing here in the 2000s and now continues his dream of bringing jazz music closer to the public. According to the veteran jazz artist, this model reminds him of open performance spaces in public places in many developed countries.
“Organizing art performances in a public space right in the heart of the capital shows the respect of the city leaders and the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports for popular culture, as well as the effort to bring the quintessence of art to the community. We artists are very proud and excited” - Meritorious Artist Quyen Van Minh expressed.
He also said that the opening program will choose to perform classic jazz pieces from the world, interspersed with Vietnamese folk music compositions so that the audience can feel the most quintessential melodies of jazz. In the following programs, Binh Minh Jazz Club and the artists will bring famous songs about Hanoi and the country performed in jazz style.
The “Weekend Music” project does not stop at performances, but is expected to be a strategic step to bring high-quality art to “touch” the lives of the masses, contributing to positioning the brand of Hanoi - Creative City.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/diem-hen-am-nhac-hap-dan-ben-ho-hoan-kiem-725888.html
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