VietNamNet Bridge – Nearly 200 artists and musicians from 30 countries and territories will participate in the second Asia-Europe New Music Festival to be held in Ha Noi and Vinh Yen cities starting tomorrow, Oct 12.

Soprano Dao To Loan will perform together with Vietnamese artists at the New Music festival. — Photo vtv.vn

The event is a good opportunity to introduce Vietnamese revolutionary and contemporary music and promote the nation’s culture, as also a chance to strengthen cultural and musical exchanges between countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, Do Hong Quan, chairman of the Viet Nam Musicians’ Association (VMA), said yesterday.

“Vietnamese composers and musicians can learn more about development trends in Asian and European music,” he said.

“This year, we will highlight the role of traditional musical instruments in each country. The audience will enjoy two pieces exclusively written for Vietnamese dan bau (monochord) by composers from Hong Kong and Australia.”

The festival’s theme of “Music – Convergence and Pervasion” will be reflected in the 11 main performances of symphony music, chamber music, chorus, opera and ballet, organisers said.

These include the latest compositions by musicians representing different schools of contemporary music from around the world including.

Many well-known Vietnamese musicians and artistes will perform at the festival, including violinist Bui Cong Duy and conductors Le Phi Phi and Vu Nhat Tan.

The festival will also include two workshops on New Musical Exchanges between Asian and European Countries and the Vietnamese dan bau.

The opening and closing ceremonies will take place respectively at the Ha Noi Opera House tomorrow and the Viet Nam National Musical Academy (VNAM)’s Concert Hall on October 18.

The festival is organised in collaboration with the 34th conference of the Asia-Pacific Composers’ League. Viet Nam joined the league in 2014. The same year, it also hosted the first Asia-Europe New Festival.

Initiated by the Unions of Composers of Russia and Tatarstan in 1993, the Asia-Europe New Music Festival has since become a prestigious international music forum. The biennial event has so far attracted the participation of 45 countries and territories in the two continents.

Apart from the opening concert at the Ha Noi Opera House and another by the Asia-Pacific Composers’ League at Vinh Phuc Theatre in Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc Province, all other concerts performed at the VNAM’s concert hall are free and open to the public. Tickets for these can be collected at the office of the VMA, 51 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi.

VNS