The trade-off and deep feelings in Dr., People's Artist Bui Cong Duy

- In addition to being a character in the book "The Universal Winthin", it is known that you are also an advisor to the project. What made you agree to participate in this project?

This is a long-term project, in addition to artistic elements, it also spreads positive life values both spiritually and physically.

The link between health and music is scientifically proven, not new knowledge.

A child who learns music will most likely have a calmer personality and a better organized mind. Babies who listen to Mozart, Bach or Beethoven in the womb will also have certain positive differences.

- Long time no hear from you, how are your work and health?

Everyone has a different definition of "health". If we understand health in the sense of endurance and flexibility, I think I'm pretty good enough. Of course, I can't compare myself to bodybuilders who can lift hundreds of kilos. (laughs)

I still work in the following roles: management, teaching, performing, organizing performances, scientific research and some other jobs related to organizing national and international events.

Overall, the schedule is quite packed! The work keeps piling up and no matter what, I will still be on stage performing.

Having the brain work continuously consumes a lot of energy and stress, but it helps us train to become flexible, resilient and stronger.

Bui Cong Duy plays the famous song in the movie "Paradise Cinema" (1988) with Pham Khanh Ngoc

- On your journey of pursuing classical music, have you ever considered "wandering" into other genres?

I listen to a lot of pop music now. In the 1990s, when I participated in the Tchaikovsky International Music Competition for Young Artists, besides listening to classical music, I also liked and was interested in listening to Michael Jackson's music.

He is my idol and M. Jackson's music gives me great creative inspiration.

- As someone who has performed all over the world , you must have seen and heard many things. What do you like most about your country that you don't have in Vietnam?

Classical music is quite strange to Vietnamese people. We have known classical music for only about 70-80 years, but the world has had Bach, Beethoven and Mozart for centuries.

Because it has been passed down and developed through many generations, their culture and taste in music are very different from ours.

In recent years, I am very proud that Vietnamese classical music has had positive changes. We have better orchestras, beautiful and international standard theaters as well as more audiences who love classical music.

5-10 years ago, to enjoy an opera or ballet of international standards, you would have to spend money to fly to Europe such as France, Germany or Japan, Korea, which is very expensive. Now, you don't need to go anywhere, you can enjoy Carmen , Swan Lake or listen to the London Symphony Orchestra right in the capital Hanoi.

The change is very fast and optimistic. Of course, we understand that everything needs to be done step by step, we cannot rush things.

The lives of pianists, string orchestras, singers and other professionals have also improved. As long as they work hard and are good at their profession, they can have a fairly comfortable life.

- To become a talented artist with dazzling achievements, once a true "son of a rich family" and now "father of a rich family", what did you have to give up?

To achieve success, big goals, inevitably have to have trade-offs. For example, when I was young, I trained intensely almost every day, not having much time to play with friends.

However, the living environment at that time did not have many temptations to distract me. Siberia is a very cold region, next to Novosibirsk there is a place called "the city of scholars". Sometimes, I felt like a monastery, with nothing else to do but study.

It is correct to call it a "trade-off" but it is also a blessing. In a place with nothing to do, cold and dark, surrounded by talented people, I was able to activate my inner competitive spirit, set them as my target and constantly try to surpass them.

Looking back, I am truly grateful for that period. Grateful for my family and teachers who gave me the environment and solid foundation in the early stages, from which I developed well later on.

Coming from a religious background, what pressures do you have to endure?

I was under a lot of pressure from my father's expectations - who always wanted his son to do the best, and still does. I always feel like I'm not good enough, not good enough, not at my full potential, and I rarely see my parents satisfied with me.

When I grew up and didn't live with my family anymore, I had to face other pressures, sometimes even more difficult.

Everything has two sides. Perhaps because of the pressure I endured as a child, I developed the ability to adapt to pressure. When you overcome difficulties, you will upgrade and perfect yourself.

Basically, I also like these pressures. With pressure, people produce the strength to help them adapt and overcome it. Bui Cong Duy plays Violin Concerto in E minor No. 64 by Felix Mendelssohn

- But there must be days when you want to put all your work down?

Yes, often! (laughs) After a successful show, after days of intense training, I always like to have a day of doing nothing. On that day, I will go for a high-speed drive, watch a good football match, listen to music or be with interesting people.

I love cars and speed. When I was in Russia, I used to drive in the snow, the sound of the tires rolling on the snow was so nice. I also love the crisp sound of falling snow when the weather warms up!

- Do you think your career is developing a bit too fast?

I don't think about fast or slow because my career hasn't reached its peak yet. I want my peak to be higher.

There were some very formidable achievements at that time, nearly 30 years later no one has been able to do that, but looking back, the people who competed with me that year are now much better than me.

So the best must always be ahead, not the past.

- Specifically, what are the peaks? Do you aim to become an Associate Professor ?

That is one of the goals I am aiming for. However, I want to become an Associate Professor as a good violin teacher, with international prestige and with a practical scientific orientation like many other countries, not an Associate Professor with a purely scientific research orientation.

- What is a day like for someone who plays 4-5 roles like you?

Very fast, very busy and very interesting. I enjoy working or driving; especially when I always feel short of time.

I usually wake up at 6am and go to bed at 12am. I like to eat well, never skip meals and practice piano instead of doing sports. Practicing piano actually takes a lot of physical and mental energy, but it helps me stay healthy.

I have a check-up every year. Overall, things are fine, although there are a few things that concern me. As we age, we all have some issues, so we have to be aware of the risks.

However, I believe that everyone is their own doctor because no one understands your body better than you. If you are sensitive enough to listen to yourself, you will notice changes in your body.

- Are you satisfied?

I accept what I have and what I am doing; accept what I have not achieved and always set goals ahead to move forward.

Fulfillment or happiness is just a moment, it will pass. Yesterday you were fulfilled, tomorrow it may not be the same.

As long as people move forward, fulfillment is only a relative and temporary concept.