Musician Dao Anh Tuan revitalizes the Quan Ho folk melody through the depth of its harmony.

Pursue your passion.

In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), musician Dao Anh Tuan is very busy with arranging, orchestrating, recording, and processing music for songs. Born in 1983, he is currently the Head of the Professional and Artistic Department at the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theatre. From his elementary school years, Dao Anh Tuan showed a talent and special love for music . Recognizing his aptitude and passion, his parents provided him with opportunities to attend music classes. In the 7th grade, Tuan was sent to Hanoi for further training and education in a structured environment at reputable music centers.

Besides arranging, orchestrating, and composing songs, musician Dao Anh Tuan is also very skilled at playing the moon lute.

His seriousness in studying, combined with his keen sense of musical appreciation, helped him pass the entrance exam for the intermediate level program, and then continue his studies at the Hanoi National Conservatory of Music (now the Vietnam National Academy of Music), Department of Traditional Music, specializing in the moon lute and traditional drums. Eight years of continuous, systematic training under the guidance of many renowned artists and lecturers equipped him with a solid academic foundation in traditional music. Looking back on that time, Dao Anh Tuan shared: Learning and practicing traditional musical instruments was not only about acquiring techniques but also about naturally appreciating traditional music. The melodies, timbres, and rhythms of traditional instruments gradually became the source that nurtured his later creative thinking and harmony.

{keywords}

Arranging music for Quan Ho is a major challenge. Quan Ho is a folk song, deeply rooted in folk traditions, formed and passed down through generations orally. Therefore, incorporating harmony and musical accompaniment into Quan Ho is very difficult, requiring the musician to have a deep understanding of scales, melodies, and the distinctive call-and-response singing style of the Kinh Bac region.

Musician Dao Anh Tuan

In 2006, after graduating, Dao Anh Tuan returned to his hometown and worked at the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Troupe (now the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theater). For him, this was not only a career choice but also a long-term commitment to the cultural heritage of his homeland. A great advantage for him was being born into a family with a musical tradition. His father, the late musician Dao Hong Thach, former Chairman of the Bac Ninh Provincial Music Association, was his first teacher, inspiring him with a love for music from his early years. In addition, he received dedicated guidance and instruction from previous generations of artists in the Quan Ho folk song community.

Working at the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theatre – a professional artistic environment – has helped Dao Anh Tuan gradually mature and affirm his artistic abilities and expertise. He participates in many fields: arranging, orchestrating, conducting orchestras, performing on the moon lute, writing music, and composing songs for major art programs of the province, as well as important political and cultural events of many localities, agencies, and units.

Musician Dao Anh Tuan (on the left) shares with reporters about his new music projects.

In particular, he is one of the artists who frequently participates in arranging music for traditional Quan Ho folk melodies and songs that draw on Quan Ho folk music. This work requires the musician to have a deep understanding of the characteristics of folk music and creative thinking so that the work is both innovative and does not lose its inherent identity.

Preserving the "Quan Ho folk style" in each musical arrangement.

According to musician Dao Anh Tuan, arranging music for Quan Ho is a major challenge. Quan Ho is a folk song, deeply rooted in folk traditions, formed and passed down through many generations orally. Therefore, incorporating harmony and musical accompaniment into Quan Ho is very difficult, requiring the musician to have a deep understanding of scales, melodies, and the distinctive call-and-response singing style of the Kinh Bac region.

When arranging and orchestrating Quan Ho folk melodies, artists need to be selective. It's impossible to rigidly impose classical techniques and harmonies onto folk songs; instead, the harmony must be deeply rooted in folk traditions, with the introduction, middle section, transitions, and conclusion strongly melodic, using rhythms and instruments harmoniously and appropriately for the melodies. Through this, they inspire singers and honor the inherent beauty and charm of Quan Ho.

Musician Dao Anh Tuan handled the arrangement and orchestration for the musical piece.

In particular, in the current context, where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly involved in many artistic fields, he believes the role of the artist is more important than ever. "AI can help musicians save time, suggest ideas, and improve efficiency, but it cannot replace the emotions, cultural experiences, and deep understanding of heritage that artists and musicians possess. No matter how innovative, the core element remains preserving the 'Quan Ho style' – the very thing that creates a unique and unmistakable identity," he confided. This perspective has shaped Dao Anh Tuan's style of arrangement and orchestration: modern and creative, but without breaking traditional structures.

Besides arranging and orchestrating, Dao Anh Tuan also devotes much of his passion to songwriting. His songs are often inspired by his hometown of Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac, by the people, customs, and cultural life of the Quan Ho region. Some notable works include "Bac Ninh Aspiring to Shine," "Returning to the Quan Ho Land for Love," and "Returning to My Hometown Bac Ninh"... These songs are relatable to contemporary audiences but still bear the strong imprint of the region. In addition to themes of his homeland, he also composes songs about the Party, President Ho Chi Minh, youth, and the armed forces... with a simple approach, focusing on emotion and message.

Dao Anh Tuan's dedication and perseverance in his artistic work have been recognized with numerous prestigious professional awards. In 2017, at the National Festival of Solo and Ensemble Performances of Traditional Musical Instruments, he won a Gold Medal for his performance of "Drum Festival Celebration" and a Silver Medal for directing the program "Homeland Painting". In 2020, at the same National Festival of Solo and Ensemble Performances of Traditional Musical Instruments, he won Third Prize for solo performance on the moon lute with two works, "Our Homeland" and "Mother's Love".

In 2025, his song "Bac Ninh Youth Remember Uncle Ho's Teachings" won the B Prize at the competition for composing and promoting literary, artistic, and journalistic works on studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style, organized by the Central Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department. Also in 2025, he continued to win the Third Prize at the songwriting competition celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnamese Cryptography ngành and the B Prize at the National Open Music Festival in Ho Chi Minh City. These awards are a great recognition for a musician who has made positive contributions to the cultural cause of the province in general, especially traditional music in modern life.

Continuing the journey of preserving and spreading heritage.

During his career, Dao Anh Tuan, along with other artists from the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theatre, participated in numerous domestic and international performances in countries such as Germany, France, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, and Denmark. Each trip was an opportunity to introduce and spread Quan Ho folk songs to international friends and the Vietnamese community abroad. For him, these tours were not only artistic activities but also a responsibility to promote the cultural heritage of his homeland. The applause from the audience was a source of encouragement for him and his colleagues to continue on the artistic path they had chosen.

Composer Dao Anh Tuan has received numerous Certificates of Merit from central and provincial agencies for his outstanding achievements in artistic activities.

Currently, musician Dao Anh Tuan is working with artists from the Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Song Theatre to film a promotional program for Bac Ninh Quan Ho Folk Songs 2025 with the theme "Returning to the Quan Ho Region". The program features 11 typical Quan Ho melodies, filmed at various cultural and historical sites in Bac Ninh province, and is expected to be completed before the Lunar New Year 2026. He is responsible for the musical arrangement and orchestration of many of the program's captivating performances.

Speaking about his future direction, Dao Anh Tuan said he will continue to focus on harmonizing and arranging traditional Quan Ho folk melodies and songs with Quan Ho folk music influences, while also composing new songs about his homeland, the country, and the people of Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac. For Dao Anh Tuan, the artistic path is not about fanfare but a quiet process of accumulation, creative work, and serious preservation to naturally integrate traditional music into contemporary life.

Text and photos: Cong Doanh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/nhac-si-dao-anh-tuan-lam-moi-lan-dieu-quan-ho-tu-chieu-sau-ban-hoa-am-postid438736.bbg