Music

  Composer Trần Mạnh Hùng. While most symphony composers in Việt Nam are veterans, 46-year-old composer Trần Mạnh Hùng is considered one of the young generation, and is one among a small number of composers specialising in symphonies. Alongside more than 20 songs, Hùng has composed three symphonies and six poetic symphonies. His award-winning poetic symphony, Lệ Chi Viên (Tragedy of the Lệ Chi Garden) was presented at the Beethoven Classical Music Festival in Bonn and Berlin in 2009. In 2016, during two concerts in Saint Petersburg, Russia, audiences were amazed by a series of his 11 compositions, which combine classic symphony and Việt Nam’s ethnic folk tunes. The composer, who has also taken part in prestigious concerts in Việt Nam such as Điều Còn Mãi (Everlasting Things) and Bài Ca Không Quên (Unforgettable Songs), speaks with Thúy Hằng about his … [Read more...] about Quality comes first for this perfectionist composer

  Pianist Nguyễn Quỳnh Trang graduated from Karlsruhe University of Music majoring in piano and teaching piano. Photo courtesy of ther concert organiser HÀ NỘI – Musical works for cello and piano inspired by Trịnh Công Sơn (1939-2001)’s songs will be presented at a concert on August 30 in Hà Nội. Themed From Trịnh Công Sơn: New Sounds from the Wind, the concert will feature cellist Phan Đỗ Phúc and pianist Nguyễn Quỳnh Trang. Both of them are talented artists who have won many prizes at home and abroad. Musician Nguyễn Ngọc Tú transcribed some of Sơn's most popular songs for piano and cello. This is the first time works including Hãy Yêu Nhau Đi (Let’s Love), Ở Trọ (Lodging) and Để Gió Cuốn Đi (Let’s the Wind Blow Away) have been presented to the public. The … [Read more...] about Music transcribed from Trịnh Công Sơn’s songs to be presented

Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen attends the premiere of 'Blinded by the Light' at Paramount Theater on August 7, 2019 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.—AFP Photo NEW JERSEY — The song appears on the soundtrack to Blinded by the Light, a new coming-of age film whose plot is inspired by Springsteen's music. As Rolling Stone points out, the previously unreleased ballad was originally penned for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but never made it into the film. The Boss hinted at it in a 2016 interview to the BBC, revealing that "at some point [he]'d like to get into a children's movie of some sort". The lyrics are loosely inspired by J.K. Rowling's saga, with Springsteen notably singing "I know that here in the dark/Tomorrow can seem so very far away/Here the ghosts and the goblins/Can rise from your dreams." I'll Stand by You, which first leaked in 2017, is one of the numerous Springsteen rarities appearing on the soundtrack to Blinded by the Light. … [Read more...] about Bruce Springsteen unveils previously unreleased song,

SEOUL — K-pop superstars BTS will take a 'long-term break' from the music scene, their agency said on Monday, after the boy band topped charts in the US and Britain earlier this year. But the pause may only last a few weeks, with the septet due to play a controversial show in Saudi Arabia in October. The K-pop industry is known for cutthroat competition and around-the-clock work hours that include concerts, press events and gruelling singing and dancing training when the stars are offstage. BTS will take their "first official long-term break since their debut" six years ago, managers Big Hit Entertainment said, adding it will be a time to "recharge and refresh as musicians and creators". It would also be a time for them to "enjoy their daily lives as normal 20-something young men", the agency said in a midnight statement. "If you run into BTS at an unexpected place, we ask for the fans' consideration to allow the members to enjoy their private time." BTS - or Bangtan … [Read more...] about K-pop superstars BTS to take ‘long-term break

      Tùng poses for a photo with his prize after his performance in Salzburg. By Nguyễn Bình   For many parents, introducing their children to the piano at a young age is a chance for their children to begin to learn about music. Most parents hope their kids will be able to enjoy classical music when they are older, but few can expect their children to embrace music as fully as Nguyễn Sơn Tùng. He may still be a few months away from his sixth birthday, but little Tùng has already participated in four international competitions this year, including the American Protégé Spring International Music Talent Competition, the Berlin Grand Fix International Online Music Competition Stars, the Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso in Austria, and the Amsterdam Grand Prize Virtuoso in the Netherlands.     Nguyễn Sơn Tùng and his teacher Đoàn … [Read more...] about Little boy wins international music prizes