Bringing classical music out of its magnificent "ivory tower"

On the afternoon of May 16th, the heritage-rich space of the Vietnam Literature Museum became a unique intersection between literature and classical music through the exchange program "Music Changes Lives".

Bringing classical music out of its magnificent "ivory tower".

"I have a beautiful ideal, and that is music!"

Born into a family with a long-standing artistic tradition – with their father being Associate Professor, Doctor, and Meritorious Artist Luu Quang Minh (former Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music) – both pianists Luu Hong Quang and Luu Duc Anh were honed early in a rigorous academic environment. However, behind the glitz and glamour of the stage lies a long and challenging journey.

At the "Music Changes Lives" exchange program, artist Luu Hong Quang assessed that, although the Vietnamese music training system possesses an extremely solid technical foundation, to become a true artist, learners need to proactively develop their independent thinking to find their own unique personal voice. For him, the love of music takes time to mature, and the depth of understanding of art is a journey without end. Discussing the experience of competing in international arenas, artist Luu Hong Quang concluded: "Competing internationally is not about winning titles, but a necessary test, an honest mirror for artists to reflect on where they stand compared to the world standard and how far they can go."

During the conversation, the two talented piano artists, brothers Luu Hong Quang and Luu Duc Anh, shared inspiring stories about their profession, offering insightful perspectives on their arduous journey of dedication, their ideals of contribution, and their mission to bring classical music closer to everyday life.

This spirit of dedication was demonstrated through the historic success of People's Artist Dang Thai Son - the first Asian artist to win the Chopin International Piano Competition in 1980. By conquering that pinnacle, People's Artist Dang Thai Son broke all barriers, proving that Vietnamese people can absolutely stand at the most prestigious position in the global classical music world.

Today, that spirit continues to be a guiding principle for classical artists like Luu Hong Quang and Luu Duc Anh on their journey to international recognition. Furthermore, an artist's individual voice, aspiring to reach further, must be deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. Choosing to return to Vietnam in 2018 amidst numerous opportunities for development in Europe, artist Luu Duc Anh shared that his return to his homeland stemmed not only from a desire to contribute to and enrich the country's music scene, but also from his realization that his country is offering promising opportunities for the younger generation. He affirmed: "It is the circumstances, the living environment, and the experiences I've had since childhood in Vietnam, within my family and in this country, that have shaped me into the person I am today."

Upon returning to Vietnam, Luu Duc Anh carried with him the aspiration to dedicate himself fully to teaching at the National Academy of Music, training the next generation, and wholeheartedly developing top-tier performance stages.

The two artists shared about the obstacles they faced at different stages of their lives, from the strict discipline of childhood, the pressure of realizing "the world out there is too good" during their studies abroad, to the burden of making a living in adulthood. However, overcoming all those twists and turns, the strongest support for artist Luu Duc Anh is his ideal. "I have an ideal to live for. And luckily, that ideal is very beautiful, and that is music."

Classical music sheds its aloof facade.

For classical art to truly come alive and spread widely, the courageous step of moving music out of the "ivory tower" of magnificent theaters into open spaces is crucial. This concert at the Vietnam Literature Museum is a vivid example of this. The change in viewing space – connecting a place steeped in history and literature with classical music – has created a wonderful meeting point for artistic exchange. This effort is perfectly in line with the direction of the Museum Director, writer Nguyen Thi Thu Hue, who wants to transform the museum into an open space for diverse art forms.

In that special space, classical music shed its aloofness. The highlight that made the program so captivating was that the two artists, Luu Hong Quang and Luu Duc Anh, not only performed but also transformed into masterful storytellers. While playing, the two artists directly explained and dissected the deeper layers of meaning in representative works from various periods. This subtle approach gave the general audience – who might otherwise be unfamiliar with classical music – the key to entering the world of wordless sounds. Through two emotionally charged performances – Luu Duc Anh's "Vocalise" (Sergei Rachmaninoff) and Luu Hong Quang's Étude No. 6 "Vision" (Franz Liszt) – listeners were inspired to freely experience and weave their own interpretations of the works using their own "language," perspective, and experiences.

The audience enthusiastically asked the two artists questions about how to appreciate classical music and how to inspire the younger generation to listen to, learn about, and appreciate classical art.

From this aspiration to spread and expand cultural space, a comprehensive ecosystem aimed at nurturing talent and developing the public is also taking shape. A prime example is the Vietnam International Piano Competition (VIPCF), with artist Luu Duc Anh as its Executive Director and Artistic Director. Looking towards its second edition in 2027 (following the resounding success of 2025) and with the strong message "A United Stage," VIPCF is striving to organize world-class piano competitions right here in Vietnam, providing opportunities for young talents to hone their skills and simultaneously becoming an important launching pad for classical music to create a new audience, gradually affirming Vietnam's position on the world art map.

Mai Anh Thu

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dua-am-nhac-han-lam-ra-khoi-thap-nga-trang-le-post962812.html