Tonight, the London Symphony Orchestra will perform top-notch music in Hanoi.

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is always considered one of the greatest orchestras in the world . Photo: BTC

The London Symphony Orchestra is no stranger to Hanoi audiences. The orchestra has performed many times in the Vietnam Airlines Classic - Hanoi Concert program in the outdoor space on the Hoan Kiem Lake walking street and surrounding areas. Coming to Hanoi for the first time in 2017, under the command of conductor Elim Chan, nearly 100 musicians turned Ly Thai To Square into an outdoor auditorium, attracting the attention of thousands of people on the Hoan Kiem Lake walking street. The event has a strong influence, making classical music suddenly become closer, able to reach audiences of all ages.

The following two seasons of VACC were accompanied by LSO, and 2019 marked a stronger mark with the leadership of legendary conductor Sir Simon Rattle. He and the orchestra brought a complete program with masterpieces by Berlioz, Mahler, Dvořák, Brahms. Every time they appeared, LSO left unforgettable moments, especially with the tens of thousands of spectators jostling on the pedestrian street or sitting on the grass to listen to the symphony.

After a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in this return to Vietnam, the London Symphony Orchestra will bring a top-notch scholarly art program, with a dialogue between the music of Beethoven and Shostakovich at the Hoan Kiem Theater.

This is the first time the legendary British orchestra, led by conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, has come to Vietnam. Photo: Organizing Committee

Conducted by conductor Antonio Pappano, this year’s program opened with the song Tien Quan Ca (Vietnam’s National Anthem) by Van Cao, arranged by Luu Quang Minh. This was a solemn moment, demonstrating the connection between international classical music and national pride.

Next, the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Op. 67 – a work often referred to as the “Fate Symphony” with its immortal opening four notes, symbolizing the will and aspiration to overcome adversity.

The audience will then enjoy Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10, Op. 93, a work that impresses with its blend of tragedy, satire and philosophical depth, reflecting the ups and downs of history and human destiny.

At the program introduction on the morning of October 10, musician Quoc Trung, representative of the production unit, shared: Opening with the Vietnamese National Anthem performed by LSO has become the brand mark of the concert program. This year, the concert took place on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital, this musical part is even more meaningful, creating a solemn moment, evoking national pride and connecting history with contemporary art.

“In addition, the combination of Beethoven and Shostakovich music will create a dramatic musical dialogue, where a proud spirit meets a sharp, multi-layered tone. This promises to be an emotional artistic highlight for the capital’s audience this fall,” musician Quoc Trung shared.

According to conductor Antonio Pappano, representative of the London Symphony Orchestra, he is looking forward to this performance in front of the Vietnamese audience. He hopes that the music will bring positive energy, touching the hearts, emotions and spirits of the audience. The conductor hopes that the cooperation between the parties will continue to bring wonderful music nights to the Vietnamese audience in the future.

Meet the artists and organizers before the show. Photo: HL

As the program's companion and organizer, Mr. Do Dong Hung, Deputy Head of Communications of Vietnam Airlines Corporation, shared: VACC is a program in the series of activities "Touching Autumn in Hanoi" jointly organized by Vietnam Airlines and Hanoi People's Committee. Vietnam Airlines Classic - Hanoi Concert 2025 is not only an artistic reunion but also a testament to the connection between Vietnam and the world's cultural quintessence - an event that brings the ultimate musical experience to the public, while contributing to nurturing the young generation, affirming Hanoi as an international cultural rendezvous.

The VACC 2025 concert program will have two official performances on the evenings of October 10 and 11. In particular, the performance on the evening of October 11 will be broadcast live on a large screen at the Suicide Monument area, Hoan Kiem Lake walking street, so that people and tourists can enjoy the symphony atmosphere right in the heart of the city, bringing classical music closer to the public.

In addition to the two main concerts, LSO continues to organize community activities within the framework of the LSO Discovery project. The highlight is the intensive training program for the Vietnam Youth Orchestra (VYO). At 5:00 p.m. on October 12 at the Hanoi Opera House, the public will enjoy a report performance with the participation of 70 young VYO musicians and 9 LSO artists. This is an opportunity for the young generation to access the quintessence of classical music, while affirming the potential of Vietnamese talents.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/toi-nay-dan-nhac-giao-huong-london-se-trinh-dien-am-nhac-dinh-cao-tai-ha-noi-719135.html