The lingering echoes from the source of folk songs and melodies.

Timeless lyrics and melodies

The performance of "Listening to Boat Songs at Night, Remembering Uncle Ho," composed by An Thuyên, was incredibly sweet and moving by Bùi Lê Mận. Photo: Đình Tuyên

As the familiar melodies and soaring lyrics of "Listening to the Boatman's Song at Night, Remembering Uncle Ho" began to play, the concert hall fell silent, completely absorbed. This song by composer An Thuyên is incredibly familiar to generations of people from Nghe An province, even more so as it is a heartfelt song about the beloved President Ho Chi Minh . Many have performed this song successfully, but with Bui Le Man, she brought a new breath of life and a fresh emotion to the song in this special and meaningful concert.

Bui Le Man said: "I was extremely happy to receive the invitation to participate in the program, happy to stand on this stage and sing a song by a renowned composer whom I admire, and even happier to be in tune with the emotions of the audience today."

The "Source of Folk Songs and Melodies" program has been long conceived by the Nghe An Hometown Association in Hanoi. The program is expected to bring a sophisticated and heartwarming musical feast to the children of Nghe An and a large number of people across the country. The program aims to honor five talented musicians from Nghe An: Nguyen Van Ty, Hong Dang, Nguyen Tai Tue, An Thuyen, and Nguyen Trong Tao.

Mr. Le Doan Hop, former Minister of Information and Communications and Chairman of the Nghe An Hometown Association in Hanoi, stated: "The program also aims to honor the culture of Nghe An, the people of Nghe An, and our homeland. The five musicians we are honoring are five great musicians not only of Nghe An but of the whole country. The songs they have left behind are invaluable assets in the treasure trove of Vietnamese music."

A heartfelt song from Ha Tinh province, performed sweetly by Phuong Thao, captures the essence of her homeland. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

According to the program director, People's Artist Le Tien Tho, the first part of the program focuses on the feelings of five composers towards their homeland. As composer Nguyen Tai Tue once said: "I have traveled to many places both domestically and internationally, but nowhere is as beautiful as my homeland."

The first notes of the song "Dreaming of Home," sung sweetly by Huyen Trang, immersed the entire audience in the atmosphere of bamboo groves, rice paddies, sparrows, and starlings, evoking vivid memories of childhood. It was a song by composer Nguyen Tai Tue, rearranged to perfectly suit Huyen Trang.

Trang shared: "I've sung this song many times, and it was this piece that launched my singing career and brought me glory. This song helped me win first prize in the folk music category of the Sao Mai competition in 2013. Composer Nguyen Tai Tue helped me understand the song, guiding me through each note and nuance to best grasp its spirit. Therefore, singing it at this concert is not only an honor but also a source of pride, as it resonates with my homeland and allows me to pay tribute to the composer whom I greatly admire, respect, and am grateful to."

Not only Huyen Trang, but Pham Phuong Thao was also chosen to perform two songs by two talented composers who have made significant contributions and won many prestigious awards: An Thuyen and Nguyen Van Ty. Regarding "Anchoring at the Homeland's Harbor," she said that although many artists have successfully performed this work, she still performed it with the most sublime emotion, and this was rewarded with endless applause. With "A Heartfelt Song of a Ha Tinh Person" by Nguyen Van Ty, although it is closely associated with the name of People's Artist Thu Hien, she also captivated the audience tonight with her heartfelt and poignant voice, imbued with the essence of her homeland.

Dinh Trang's performance of Nguyen Tai Tue's song "Xa Khoi" (Far Away at Sea) was warmly received by the public. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Dinh Trang, who was highly anticipated to perform "Mother Loves Her Child" by composer Nguyen Van Ty and "Far from Shore" by Nguyen Tai Tue, said she was still deeply moved even after the curtain closed. “I’ve performed 'Mother Loves Her Child' many times with the mindset of a child expressing love for their beloved mother. But this time, I performed 'Mother Loves Her Child' with the mindset of a mother. It’s a vast emotion of maternal love, as I see my own mother reflected in the feelings I have for my beloved children.” Despite the rushed preparations for tonight’s performance, Dinh Trang delivered a very emotional and mature performance with skillful technique, touching the hearts of the audience.

Spreading the sources of inspiration

Luong Nguyet Anh's performance of Nguyen Trong Tao's Quan Ho Village was warmly received by the audience. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

The concert was divided into three parts. Part 1, "Dreaming of Home," featured songs such as "Anchoring at the Homeland's Harbor," "Dreaming of Home," "A Heartfelt Song of a Ha Tinh Person," and "Song of the Homeland River," all echoing the heartfelt emotions of the homeland. Part 2, titled "Melodies of Love," included famous love songs by five composers: "Hoa Sua" and "Ky Uc Dem" by Hong Dang; "Du Am" and "Me Yeu Con" by Nguyen Van Ty; and "Doi Mat Do Ngang" by Nguyen Trong Tao, depicting romantic love, maternal love, and national love. Part 3, titled "The Melody of the Nation," included works such as "Xa Khoi, Em Chon Loi Nay," "Tieng Hat Giua Rung Pac Bo," "Lang Quan Ho Que Toi," and "Bien Hat Chieu Nay," heroic love songs praising the homeland, the beloved motherland, the river, the vast sea, and the boundless green forests. All three parts are harmoniously connected, like a continuous stream flowing through the musical works of the five talented composers from Nghe An province.

Representatives of the organizing committee present flowers to the artists. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Attending the concert, the wives and children of the composers felt a sense of connection to their beloved husbands and fathers through their works. Mrs. Le Anh Thuy, wife of composer Hong Dang, was moved, saying, “I see in this program a sense of human connection and familial love. The program further highlights the emotional spirit of the people of Nghe An.” Through this program, with its carefully selected works following the tradition of folk songs and melodies, we see the composers' love for their homeland and its people expressed through songs we know, remember, and will forever cherish.

Not only Ms. Le Anh Thuy, but also musician An Hieu - son of musician An Thuyen and music director of the program - said that he was very grateful and appreciative of the people of Nghe An who came up with the idea and were determined to organize this concert. "It must be said that the concert was more successful than expected, as we saw the pride not only of the artists and musicians but also of the audience."

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Le Doan Hop emotionally stated: "The 'Source of Vi and Giam Folk Songs' art night is a grand musical feast full of the rich folk music of Nghe An province, pleasing to fans; it is a night of rich, quintessential, and sweet Vi and Giam folk songs, like a mother's lullaby, like the cool waters of the Lam River, like the high peak of Dai Hue mountain—all harmonizing, resonating, and spreading to fulfill the wishes of the five musicians in the eternal realm; bringing the musicians back to their colleagues, the public, and their homeland."

The concert ended with a sense of nostalgia from the audience; here and there, people held tightly to the hands of the singers and organizers, entrusting them with their faith, affection, and pride…

Source: https://baonghean.vn/du-am-tu-mach-nguon-vi-giam-post269692.html