celebration with a performance at the Ha Noi Opera House tonight.
The orchestra will play Rong Bay Khai Nhac (Soaring Dragon Opening
Music Festival), a new piece composed by the Vietnamese conductor Nguyen
Thien Dao in honour of the 1,000th anniversary of Ha Noi. The work will
be conducted by Dao along with Hong Thai and Ngoc Khoi.
"Rong Bay Khai Nhac was composed with all my passion for Vietnamese traditional music and instruments," said Dao.
The Paris-based conductor is a household name in both Vietnam and
France. A brilliant musician, Dao studied under Olivier Messiaen at the
Conservatoire de Paris, where he graduated at the top of his class in
1968. He has received numerous international awards including the Andre
Caplet Award, the Olivier Messiaen Award for Music Composition from the
Foundation Eramus de Holland and the Chevalier des Artist et de Lettres
du Government Francais from the French government.
Throughout his career, Dao has composed more than 80 musical works that
have been performed around the world and extensively in Europe.
The traditional orchestra was established in 2009 from a traditional
instrument troupe at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, and has
performed in many important events across the country, including
national receptions, international conferences, and international music
festivals.
A great work of nha nhac (ritual and
ceremonial music) played with war drums and clarinets will open the
concert. Other performances include dan bau, (monochord) solo; dan tranh
(16-chord zither); and other bamboo instruments./.
