Born into a family with a rich musical tradition, when he was in 4th grade, Mr. Dinh Minh Dau was already proficient in playing many musical instruments, such as: flute, guitar, mandolin... Mr. Dau said: "Back then, my father played the mandolin and then taught it to me. After learning how to play the instrument, I continued to learn how to play the flute and guitar from my brothers and sisters in the village. Knowing how to play many musical instruments and sing many songs, including folk songs, I often participated in the school and local cultural activities."
In 1980, after finishing 8th grade, the young man was sent by Tuyen Hoa district (old) to study elementary music in Hue . Two years later, he enlisted in the army at Brigade 136, Regiment 134 (Information Command). During his service in the unit, music always accompanied the young soldier, helping him overcome difficult days. In 1985, he was discharged from the army and continued to contribute to the local culture and arts sector. In 2018, he became Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Minh Hoa district (old) until his retirement.
Mr. Dau's musical composition career began in 2006. At that time, he participated in a composition camp organized by the Provincial Literature and Arts Association in Da Lat City (old) and the song "Da Lat Afternoon Rain" was born soon after. Mr. Dau said: "The space, people, rain and flowers of Da Lat created many emotions for me. Especially the hospitality and thoughtfulness of the receptionist at the hotel where the group stayed left a strong impression, making me pick up the pen and write this song that night." The lyrics in the song are very simple and close to the "artist" in the mountainous region: "...Da Lat, oh my small town/Tomorrow I will return but my heart is still empty/Missing the little girl, her red lipstick/Leaving in me a bit of love-sick sunshine/Reminding me of the rainy afternoon of Da Lat."
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| In addition to composing music, Mr. Dinh Minh Dau also plays 10 musical instruments proficiently - Photo: XV |
From 2008 to 2015, Mr. Dinh Minh Dau continued to produce many songs imbued with local culture, such as "Happy with the full moon festival", "Homeland enters the festival", "Minh Hoa forever echoes the song of love", "Glory of the kindergarten teacher"... These works recreate the beauty of the full moon festival in March in Minh Hoa, the changes in building new rural areas and human love in the mountainous commune of Minh Hoa; praising the beauty of the homeland, the enthusiasm and love for the profession of kindergarten teachers...
In 2020, to express his gratitude for the great contributions of General Vo Nguyen Giap, Mr. Dinh Minh Dau composed the song "General in the hearts of the people" on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. Mr. Dau said: "Before writing the song "General in the hearts of the people", I read and researched many documents and other songs written about the General. When my emotions were overflowing, overnight, I completed this song". "...The person has passed away, his name lives forever/With his glorious achievements throughout the five continents/ Dien Bien Phu in the past shines brightly in the pages of history/Many legends, thousands of songs resound forever...".
Recently, the song “Len Ha Epic Song” was born as a tribute to 13 soldiers of the A69 Information Station, Len Ha Cave (Tuyen Lam Commune) who heroically sacrificed their lives in 1972. The song was then introduced on Phu Tho Newspaper, Radio and Television, along with accompanying images, moving millions of viewers, especially the martyrs’ relatives. “…Len Ha, the day I arrived at Len Ha, I was sobbing/I thought I heard the warmth of my comrades, I thought I heard arms longing for nostalgia/With the lingering kiss of the first days/Len Ha, please light an incense stick to show gratitude to your comrades/Let your tears turn into love/Let the Fatherland shine with the sunlight”…
Mr. Dinh Minh Dau said: “Every year, our information soldier association organizes a meeting and goes to Len Ha cave to offer incense to our comrades. Remembering the brothers and sisters who fought and sacrificed so heroically in the past, I wrote this song. This is also the heart of a former information soldier like me to express gratitude to the previous generation.”
Mr. Dinh Minh Dau is currently a member of the Quang Tri Province Literature and Arts Association. Besides composing music, he also plays 10 musical instruments proficiently, including: Monochord, guitar, mandolin, piano, zither, tam thap luc, accordion, drum, flute, and two-stringed fiddle. In addition, he also teaches music to dozens of children in the area, many of whom have now passed the entrance exams to music academies or become professional musicians.
Musician Le Duc Tri, Head of the Vietnam Musicians Association of the province, commented: “Mr. Dinh Minh Dau has written many good works about his homeland, country, historical figures and events. His works have harmoniously combined the cultural identity and folk songs of the regions, creating a unique style. I believe that with his ability and efforts, Mr. Dau will have many more good musical works in the future.”
Meritorious artist, musician Vo Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of the Provincial Culture and Cinema Center shared: “I have sung many works by Mr. Dinh Minh Dau. The lyrics in his songs often have a steel quality, using very “expensive” words. Through that, it creates inspiration for the performer, shows off his technique and brings to the listener the emotions that the story he wants to convey. Especially, when singing the songs “General of the People’s Heart”, “Lèn Hà Epic Song”…, I choked up many times because the melody and lyrics were so emotional”.
More than 10 songs with many different themes is not a big number, but for Mr. Dinh Minh Dau, it is his feelings towards his homeland and comrades. And for him, music is not only a passion but also a way to show gratitude, share and keep beautiful memories for life...
Spring King
Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202511/nguoi-linh-viet-nhac-5e76af6/
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