VietNamNet Bridge – VietNamNet Editor in Chief Nguyen Anh Tuan returned to Boston in early October to attend the Harvard Business School’s Consultant Council meeting. He has gone to Boston many times and he always feels peaceful here. But this time his mood was different because his friend, conductor Charles Ansbacher passed away.

Conductor Charles Ansbacher

He paid a visit to Ansbacher’s family. Tuan and Swanee Hunt, Charles’ wife, talked about the memories about the conductor and his last days.

The American conductor and Reconciliation Day initiative

In the big house on Brattle street, near the Harvard University, there was only Mrs. Hunt. She told Tuan about the last days of Charles.

The visit to Vietnam in April 2010 to attend VietNamNet’s Reconciliation Concert left a strong impression on the US conductor. Ansbacher was the first American conductor of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. He was also the first conductor of the Reconciliation Concert.

Returning home, Charles not only brought back his happiness and pride after he was warmly welcomed in Vietnam but also new plans on Reconciliation.

For Tuan, it was a great bound to see and share the great idea about Reconciliation Day. Before meeting Ansbacher, Tuan met with several conductors and shared with them about the idea to make September 9  the Day for Reconciliation but not until he met Ansbacher, did the initiative become reality.

Conductor Charles Ansbacher and VietNamNet Chief Editor Nguyen Anh Tuan.

Tuan still remembered that after the second successful concert at the Hanoi Opera House on April 23 2010, he and Ansbacher talked with each other for a long time in the drawing-room of the Hanoi Hilton Hotel. They shared the joy over the success of the concert. They also talked about new plans – future Reconciliation concerts conducted by Ansbacher.

The American conductor, who was very tired after a week of rehearsals and two consecutive shows, still said very enthusiastically: “I’m willing to join you to develop the initiative about the Reconciliation Day to bring the idea about conciliation and love among individuals and nations to the world. I’m leaving Vietnam tomorrow but please don’t hesitate to call me if you see that I can do anything for the Day of Reconciliation!”

Ansbacher was willing to be an advisor for VietNamNet’s Day of Reconciliation initiative. At that time, he suggested to organize a Reconciliation concert in South Africa.

The wish to return to Vietnam

Ansbacher wanted the summer 2010 to be the most wonderful summer in his life. That would be the summer of big concerts with music by Beethoven every Wednesday evening. Among 9000-10000 audience there would be many children. In his last days, the conductor still nurtured the idea of organizing a big concert on the bank of the river after his name – Charles.

Mrs. Hunt recalled that even when he was on the patient bed, Ansbacher still wished to return to Vietnam to continue Reconciliation concerts.

He wished that the initiative about Reconciliation Day would be continued and his music would bring that idea to people in a simple and natural way.

Ansbacher lived with music and left this world with music. One day before he passed away, many of his friends who are famous artists, including cellist Yoyo Ma played music for him on September 11 evening. The conductor lay on the bed to feel the love of his friends and family through music.

Ansbacher told his wife: “I’m willing to lose five years of my life for each person in Boston, especially children, to enjoy elite music”.

He fulfilled this task excellently as the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, under his baton, has been giving many free concerts for nearly a decade.

Tuan went to Boston when he found out that Ansbacher had passed away but he returned to Vietnam with part of his friend Ansbacher. part of Ansbacher’s ashes was brought with Tuan back to Vietnam to rest in peace at a big pagoda in Hanoi as “Conductor Charles Ansbacher, the founder and conductor of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, USA. The Music Ambassador of Reconciliation”.

Yen Le