Composer Tran Le Chien:

On the evening of April 9th, at the Ho Guom Theater (Hanoi), the new work "Vietnam - A Bright Dream" was impressively performed with the Hanoi Symphony Orchestra in the art program "Homeland in Our Hearts," celebrating the successful election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly; the election of People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term; and the first session of the 16th National Assembly. Composer Tran Le Chien, the author of the song "Vietnam - A Bright Dream," shared with the Hanoi Press and Broadcasting Agency his inspiration and the belief he places in each of his compositions.

Composer Tran Le Chien.

- Can the composer share the inspiration behind his work "Vietnam - A Dream That Shines Brightly"?

- In every work, regardless of genre, I always aspire to infuse it with the spirit of the times, while still preserving the essence of the nation. "Vietnam - A Bright Dream" was born from years of observation, reflection, and emotion regarding the development of the country, especially in the last 10 years.

I was born during wartime, experienced the years of national reform, and today, the era of integration and development. Within me is the image of a Vietnam emerging from the past, marked by countless ups and downs, yet always carrying a strong aspiration for progress. The inspiration for the song "Vietnam - A Shining Dream" stems from this very "dream" of a strong and prosperous Vietnam. The word "shining" itself represents not only the light of achievement, but also the light of faith in the Communist Party of Vietnam , faith in the country's highest leaders, and faith in today's generation, who are continuing to write that dream through their lives and aspirations.

Although I write works in the classical genre, I always think of the structure of a chamber music piece, and hidden deep within the melodies and lyrics is the Vietnamese soul. I want to tell a story from the past to the present and also want my work to contribute to affirming the stature of Vietnamese music in the contemporary flow.

- In the song, you evoke many "historical autumns" of the nation. Why has this imagery become the overarching emotion in the work?

- I work as a researcher, writer, and journalist all at the same time. My work and professional journey have given me a broad, multifaceted perspective on the country's realities. When writing articles or creating works, I tend to make connections, seeking unique viewpoints and historical perspectives to approach issues. The imagery of "historical autumn" has gradually become a recurring theme in my work, as a way to connect the past with the present.

Initially, the song had a different title, but it was already taken from a previous song, so I changed it to "Vietnam - A Bright Dream," using a line from the song as the title. That title is fitting for the country's reality at this time. "Vietnam - A Bright Dream" is the Vietnamese dream, formed from the nation's glorious historical past; fueled by culture and now shining brightly in the vibrant reality of today.

- With Vietnam integrating and developing rapidly, what message does the composer want to convey through his work?

- “The Party is the heart, the mind, and the torch/ Leading Vietnam under the brilliant golden star/ Passed down from father to son/ Wisdom grows ever greater/ For the country and the people, building the future/ An era of striving to build a new age/ A bright belief guiding Vietnam” - these are not just lyrics, but the culmination of my profound personal belief in the Party and the generations of Vietnamese leaders. In reality, we are deeply integrating into the global community and undergoing a radical transformation to enter a new era of development - an era of faith, aspiration, and steady progress on the journey of building the nation.

- The song has many different versions, but the most impressive is the one performed in the recent "Homeland in My Heart" art program at the Ho Guom Theater. Could the composer share his feelings about having his work performed in such a solemn and meaningful program?

Many people often assume that any song can be performed with a symphony orchestra. However, it's important to clarify that only songs constructed with an instrumental mindset from the very beginning, when written, truly possess the necessary "weight" to be performed in the space of an orchestra. This explains why a new work, performed for the first time with a symphony orchestra, is so well-received by the public. Before its official performance, the work appeared on digital platforms because I couldn't yet arrange the piece with a symphony orchestra; I only recorded it using software combined with live recordings of some instruments such as piano, violin, and cello...

Upon hearing that my work, "Vietnam - A Bright Dream," had been nominated for performance in the "Homeland in My Heart" program, I was overjoyed. I deeply appreciate the young composer Le Bang for his arrangement, the singer Truong Linh for his performance, and conductor Tran Nhat Minh along with nearly 100 artists from the Hanoi Symphony Orchestra for contributing to making my "dream" a reality. In the journey of creating art, for every creator, simply having a work performed at the right time – in a meaningful event – ​​is already a great blessing.

- With your experience as both a journalist and a composer, how do you view the role of political music in contemporary life?

- I have always had unwavering faith in the role of music in accompanying the nation. My work is just a small "grain of sand," but I believe that generations of musicians are still diligently creating valuable works that accompany the country, contributing to the development of literature, art, and the cultural industry.

- We sincerely thank composer Tran Le Chien!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nhac-si-tran-le-chien-toi-muon-ke-cau-chuyen-tu-qua-khu-toi-hien-tai-745917.html