Concert celebrates Vietnam-US relations
10:32, 2015/11/19
American maestro David Itkin and Vietnamese violinist Vu Viet Chuong will perform at a concert celebrating 20 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the US at the HCM City Opera House on November 19.
They will collaborate with the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) symphony orchestra in performing works by American composers Samuel Barber and Howard Hanson and Vu Viet Anh of Vietnam, who is popular among local music fans for his pop songs.
The concert will open with Barber's Violin Concerto featuring the performance of Chuong, who has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in the US and Vietnam.
"The Violin Concerto has a gentle and romantic melody. I think Vietnamese audiences will love it," said Chuong, who earned bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance from the University of Houston, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the University of North Texas.
The show will be followed by Golden, Anh's first composition for symphony orchestra written in 2011.
Maestro Itkin said: "Golden is an interesting piece. It features Vietnamese traditional music and symphony music."
The evening will end with Hanson's Symphony No 2 "Romantic" in D-flat Major.
Maestro Itkin, born in 1957, served as associate conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra from 1988 – 1993. Since 1993, he has been a music director and conductor with orchestras in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
The 2015-2016 season marks his 11th season as music director and conductor of the Abilene Philharmonic, and his eighth year serving as professor of music at the University of North Texas College of Music.
In 2009, Maestro Itkin was awarded an honorary doctorate of human letters by Lyon College, and Above the Barre Award by Ballet Arkansas.
The concert, organised by HCM City's Vietnam-US Friendship Association and HBSO, is part of the association's activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, chairwoman of the association, said the organisers planned to invite visually impaired students from Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School, members of the HCM City Association for Visually Impaired People, and children affected by dioxin from Hoa Binh and Thien Phuoc villages.
"The concert is a gift to disadvantaged people who have very few chances to participate in such an event," she said.
The concert will begin at 7:30pm at the Opera House at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1.
The concert will open with Barber's Violin Concerto featuring the performance of Chuong, who has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in the US and Vietnam.
Violinist Vu Viet Chuong (left), and Maestro David Itkin (middle) will perform at the concert
|
The show will be followed by Golden, Anh's first composition for symphony orchestra written in 2011.
Maestro Itkin said: "Golden is an interesting piece. It features Vietnamese traditional music and symphony music."
The evening will end with Hanson's Symphony No 2 "Romantic" in D-flat Major.
Maestro Itkin, born in 1957, served as associate conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra from 1988 – 1993. Since 1993, he has been a music director and conductor with orchestras in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
The 2015-2016 season marks his 11th season as music director and conductor of the Abilene Philharmonic, and his eighth year serving as professor of music at the University of North Texas College of Music.
In 2009, Maestro Itkin was awarded an honorary doctorate of human letters by Lyon College, and Above the Barre Award by Ballet Arkansas.
The concert, organised by HCM City's Vietnam-US Friendship Association and HBSO, is part of the association's activities to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, chairwoman of the association, said the organisers planned to invite visually impaired students from Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special School, members of the HCM City Association for Visually Impaired People, and children affected by dioxin from Hoa Binh and Thien Phuoc villages.
"The concert is a gift to disadvantaged people who have very few chances to participate in such an event," she said.
The concert will begin at 7:30pm at the Opera House at 7 Lam Son Square in District 1.
21:28, 2025/01/13
Young voices celebrate and preserve Hanoi’s cultural heritage
The "Voice of Heritage" finale celebrated Hanoi's cultural soul as 14 student teams passionately brought the city's rich history to life.
16:23, 2025/01/06
A glimpse of the 24K gold Lunar New Year 2025 Snake Mascot
As the Year of the Snake draws near in 2025, this revered creature takes on a special significance, symbolizing prosperity, smooth transitions and success for the coming year.
22:29, 2025/01/01
Hanoi celebrates New Year 2025 with art exhibitions
Art exhibitions are a great way to hang out during Hanoi's New Year celebrations.
11:38, 2024/12/31
Countdown events and fireworks to welcome New Year 2025 in Hanoi
With the New Year just around the corner, let The Hanoi Times take you on a tour of the most exciting celebrations taking place in Hanoi!
21:56, 2024/12/29
"Pho Ganh" vendor sculpture represents Hanoi's culinary street
A bronze statue of a street vendor has been erected on Hanoi's food street as a way to honor pho, a unique and popular specialty in the capital.
21:54, 2024/12/29
A look at the cycle of the four seasons in the exhibition "Tet Ty"
Snakes on ceramic plates, embossed snakes on Huong Canh vases, colored powder snakes - using many different artistic techniques, the group of artists G39 presents to the public portraits of the mascot of the year At Ty 2025.