Artists immersed in the music night
It was a music night with the theme "Cung Tien - The golden crane flies back to the homeland" taking place at Ben Xuan Theater (51 Van Thanh, Hue City) by the artist Camille Huyen and her husband - Mr. Truong Dinh Ngo.
All the music sung in the concert was approved by the law firm representing musician Cung Tien in the US.
Despite the cold winter days, Ben Xuan Theater, a cultural address located near the ancient Thien Mu pagoda by the romantic Huong River was still packed with Cung Tien music lovers. They came with admiration and to listen to the beautiful and luxurious melodies written by the talented musician.
The 15 songs performed in turn by the artists in the night are the outstanding compositions which made Cung Tien's and entered the hearts of a Vietnamese generation: Thu vang, Thuo lam tho yeu em, Nguyet cam, Ke o, Khoi ho bay, Duong hoa, Hoai cam, Doi bo, Huong xua, Di nui, Vet chim bay, Le da xanh, Mat biec, Hoang hac lau, Vang vang troi vao xuan.
Although elegant and philosophical, Cung Tien's music is still very touching, relatable, and evokes romantic and lyrical messages about the past, love, and youth.
The interesting point of the night is the meeting of vocalists who have a special love for Cung Tien's music. There were artists from the US, there were singers right in Hue and there were students who had just flown in from Ho Chi Minh City. Each person had a unique voice, but all were immersed in the melody and embodied the lyric and true spirit of each song.
At the beginning of the night, artist Bich Lien from the US showcased her ethereal voice with the song Mac Biec - a love song, which was encapsulated by Cung Tien in the sentence "Waking up in the morning, oh how I miss you".
Next on the program was “Thuo lam tho yeu em” performed by Tran Dai Phuoc with a melodious sound. Interestingly, this song was written by poet Tran Da Tu, a musician, for a Hue girl. Then followed Roi di nui, Thu vang, Ke o, Hoai cam, Duong hoa, Huong xua… respectively presented by artists and vocalists Camille Huyen, My Dang, Moc Tram, Quynh Huong, Doan Trang... as the rain was pouring outside.
Cung Tien music lovers filled the auditorium
Before the concert took place, Mr. Truong Dinh Ngo gave a speech in memory of the talented musician that he, his wife and the audience so greatly admired.
He said, “We gather today by the gentle flowing Huong River in the peaceful land of Hue to commemorate and sing the songs of the talented son of Hanoi who had left footprints on all four continents from his days of studying and living abroad…”
“Educated in Western music, from a young age of 14, 15 to 18 years old, he had created famous works that touch the hearts of many Vietnamese: Thu vang, Hoai cam, Huong xua… Later on, semi-classical Western works such as Nguyet cam, Le da xanh, Doi bo, Ke o, Mat biec, Thuo lam tho yeu em, Vet chim bay, Di nui, Khoi ho bay… made Cung Tien's music more refined, philosophical and luxurious, but always with the soul of Vietnam's homeland," said the owner of the Ben Xuan Theater.
Mr. Ngo acknowledged that Cung Tien's music is a cultural heritage. In order to repatriate spiritual heritages such as music, it is necessary to revive the love of works imbued with Western classics while still keeping the Eastern essence and national soul intact. Many similar nights to the Cung Tien music night are needed.
“This is an opportunity to pass on and to spread the love of the Vietnamese musical heritage full of humanity. Even in war, we kept our humanity, no matter how difficult it was, we could overcome all with our heads held high and chime stand firm without faltering. Even those living far from home always missed it dearly. Thus, the poems of Quang Dung, Xuan Dieu, Pham Thien Thu, Tran Da Tu, Thanh Tam Tuyen ... will live forever in Cung Tien’s artistic melodies from generation to generation," Mr. Ngo continued..
Also in the concert, the wife of the late musician Cung Tien - Mrs. Josée sent a letter from the US to the audience. She briefly said: “…even though Cung Tien is absent, his lyrics will still resound in our hearts and minds. Do you remember how Cung Tien asked "Sun, don't be absent. Wind, don't stop blowing. Love, don't shun the world." Ben Xuan will be a place with lots of warm sunshine, wind blowing, and full of love…”.
This was also a non-profit music night. All ticket sales from the concert, after deducting organizational expenses, will be donated to support cancer patients in Hue this Christmas.
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Musician Cung Tien’s full name is Cung Thuc Tien, born on November 27, 1938 in Hanoi. He settled in the US in 1987, died on May 10 in Los Angeles, California (USA). In the history of Vietnamese new music, there is rarely a musician who is as famous for his debut composition in his teens as musician Cung Tien.
In particular, Hoai cam and Huong xua were written when the musician was very young, just 14-15 years old. He was praised by many people as a "music prodigy".
When he was young, he played the flute, mandoline and classical guitar before becoming acquainted with the piano when he came to Australia to study at the age of 19. Cung Tien's music has been performed and recorded in many countries such as the US, France, Germany, and Australia. For example, the Ballad of a Warriors Wife has been performed by many symphony orchestras from many countries.
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Story and photos: Nhat Minh