Spring Songs

Spring in Lao Cai is "woven" by the pristine white of apricot and plum blossoms, and the vibrant pink of proud wild peach blossoms on the hillsides. Spring here is also evident in the atmosphere filled with evocative sounds. It's a delicate blend of modern life with the distinctive folk melodies and rhythms of the Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, and Thai ethnic groups.

Each piece of music resonates like a heartfelt confession, a warm expression of the artist's love for their homeland as the season of harmony between heaven and earth arrives.

When discussing spring in music , one cannot fail to mention composer Hoang Ngoc Chan – a son of Luc Yen, the "Land of Jade," who deeply cherishes national cultural values. His music is like a thread connecting the breath of the mountains and forests with the rhythm of contemporary life. In the song "Land of Jade in Spring," composer Ngoc Chan fully conveys his love and experiences of the land he has been connected to his entire life. Each note is like a heartbeat from the composer, resonating in harmony with the beauty of nature when spring arrives, where the colors of spring not only bloom on the branches but also shine brightly in the eyes and smiles of the hardworking and kind people.

With "The Spring Flute," composer Ngoc Chan transports listeners to the atmosphere of a love market, to the mountainside teeming with colorful skirts during a spring festival. The Hmong flute – the "soul" of the highlands – is naturally and vibrantly incorporated into the music, allowing listeners to feel the breath of spring in the dances of the Hmong boys and girls. And with "Homeland Xoe Dance," composer Ngoc Chan leads listeners into the unifying circle dance of the Thai people. The rhythmic, graceful tempo of the song makes listeners want to hold hands and immerse themselves in the dance of spring, of community bonding through the warm and heartfelt Xoe dance...

If music is a lens, then through the lens of a musician, spring appears with all its freshness and vibrant energy. In the song "Spring Sunshine in the Highlands," musician Bui Manh Tin perfectly captures the moment when the first rays of the new year pierce through the mist. The song is like a painting, depicting the pure beauty of Northwest Vietnam's nature in its springtime, evoking a sense of wistfulness in the listener at the magical interplay of earth and sky.

Beyond the scenery, the musician's soul was also moved by the unique signals of the mountains and forests. With "The Fairy of the Thick-Skinned Mountain," composer Mạnh Tín dedicated his full affection to the characteristic flower of the highlands – a flower that heralds the arrival of spring with its vibrant pink color, like the cheeks of a young maiden. The melody of the song sparkles like the very color of the Thick-Skinned Mountain flower on the mountainside, like a love song of blossoming mountain rocks.

As spring arrives, composer Bui Manh Tin immerses listeners in the excitement of the "Gau Tao Festival"—a characteristic festival of the Mong people. This is not just a song, but a vibrant living space of the spring festival recreated through sound. The rhythm is fast-paced and energetic, like the beat of festival drums, blending with the resounding laughter echoing across the hillsides, creating an atmosphere of joy and hope for a prosperous new year. Manh Tin's music is therefore always radiant and warm, like the spring sunshine.

The wondrous interplay between poetry and music has long been a meeting point for emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the musical flow of spring in the land of Lao Cai . There, one encounters a fateful meeting between the lyrical poetry of An Nhu and the masterful music of Kim Phụng in the work "I Wait for Spring." It is not only a poignant longing for a loved one, but also a passionate love for the homeland, infused into every breath of the mountains and forests.

"I'm Waiting for Spring" is like a promise to time, a place where aspirations for a peaceful and happy life are fulfilled, where spring is eagerly "knocking at the door"... Listening to the song, we feel a very unique spring: the spring of loyalty, the spring of a peaceful haven, and of a soul always open to receiving love amidst the majestic wilderness.

Drawing from that same emotional source, the combination of An Nhu's poetry and Hanoi music in the work "Opening Spring" brings a fresh and vibrant feeling. If "I Wait for Spring" is a moment of quiet longing, then "Opening Spring" is a moment of awakening for all things, opening up new aspirations, opening one's heart to harmonize with nature. It's all like a joyful, proud cry amidst the vast forest. Listening to "Opening Spring," we feel the hurried heartbeat of hope, feel our hearts open wider to embrace love, and immerse ourselves in the intoxicating breath of a vibrant, enchanting spring day.

While also reflecting the emotions of springtime, composer Kim Xuan Hung chose a lyrical and profound approach through his song "Lao Cai in Spring." This is the heartfelt expression of someone deeply in love with their homeland, silently observing the transformation of this borderland. The melody not only paints a picture of the scenery but also evokes pride in the region, reminding those far away of its beauty and deepening the affection of those nearby whenever spring arrives.

The spring songs of Lao Cai composers have been, are, and will continue to be beautiful flowers in the garden of art, enriching the treasure trove of Vietnamese music. Every spring, when these melodies are sung, we feel even more love for this borderland – where music knows no borders, only kindred spirits harmonizing with the spring season.

Presented by: Hien Trang

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhung-khuc-ca-xuan-post893636.html