This is an opportunity to pay tribute to the "giants" of Vietnamese revolutionary music , and at the same time raise the question of how to promote the musical legacy of previous generations in contemporary life.
A musical "legacy" that has stood the test of time.
Composer Huy Du was born in 1926 in the Kinh Bac region and was exposed to folk melodies from a young age. Growing up in Hanoi , he became passionate about playing the flute and violin and soon entered revolutionary activities. In 1944, he joined the National Salvation Youth Union; in 1945, he was active in the Armed Propaganda Team.
From 1947 to 1949, he taught music at the Military Cadet School of Military Region III, and later served as the Head of the Performing Arts Troupe of the Military Region III Command. In 1951, he was in charge of the Performing Arts Troupe of the 320th Division. Then, in 1956, he was sent to study at the Beijing Conservatory of Music ( China ), after which he returned to continue his military career.
Huy Du's life was a harmonious blend of soldier and artist. His music matured alongside the historical milestones of the nation, from the early years of the resistance war to the period of peace and reunification. He left behind a legacy of over 300 songs, choral works, and numerous instrumental pieces, as well as music for film and theater.
In the realm of songwriting, Huy Du's mark is evident in compositions associated with each period. During the resistance against the French, he wrote "We Will Return to the Capital," "Ba Vi of Yesteryear," "I Love Peace," and "The Church Bell Towers." During the resistance against the US, Huy Du's creativity reached its peak with "I'm Still Marching," "Marching with You on the Long Road," "My Love," "Be Van Dan Lives On," "Light the Fire, My Dear," "We Sing on the Truong Son Peak," "The Road We Take," "Cotton Flower," "Bach Long Vi Island, My Homeland," "We Won't Return Until the Enemy is Over," and "We Swear to Defend the Fatherland"...
In the field of instrumental music, the Concertino for violin "Oh, My Homeland in the South" is still performed and taught at conservatories and music schools nationwide.
Associate Professor, Doctor of Music Do Hong Quan, President of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, commented that Huy Du belongs to the generation of musicians who matured during the resistance war. His direct experiences from reality were the source of energy for him to create and record an era through music. He also received formal training abroad and became a composer in the fullest sense.
According to musician Duc Trinh, President of the Vietnam Musicians Association, the musical legacy of composer Huy Du is a treasure for present and future generations to learn about, listen to, enjoy, and perform. Through these works, we gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and learn many things from previous generations.
Composer Huy Du was awarded the First Class Independence Medal in 2007 and the Ho Chi Minh Prize for Literature and Arts in 2000. He passed away in December 2007.
"The Path We Take" - a meeting of generations of artists.
The concert "100 Years of Composer Huy Du - The Path We Take" is part of a series of activities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of composers who made significant contributions to Vietnamese revolutionary music, organized by the Vietnam Musicians Association in collaboration with various organizations over the years. Prior to this, many programs commemorating the 100th anniversary of the births of composers such as Do Nhuan, Van Cao, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Phan Huynh Dieu, Nguyen Van Ty, Trong Loan, etc., have been held with solemnity and emotion.
According to Associate Professor, Doctor of Music Nguyen Huy Phuong, Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music and son of composer Huy Du, the works selected for the program represent different stages in Huy Du's creative journey, from the pre-war period, the resistance against the French and American forces, to the period of peace and national reunification.
The concert consisted of three chapters: "The Narrative of Land and Water," "The Fiery Flames of Truong Son," and "The Aspiration of Spring," following the musical journey of Huy Du. Among them, the song "The Road We Take" served as a connecting point for many generations of artists. People's Artist Quang Tho shared that he was impressed by this song, sung with the soaring voice of People's Artist Doan Tan back in the 1970s. The "mining region" singer Quang Tho also performed solo and in trios with Le Dung and Duong Minh Duc.
While teaching at the Hanoi Conservatory of Music (now the Vietnam National Academy of Music), Quang Thọ arranged a song for three students, Đăng Dương, Trọng Tấn, and Việt Hoàn, who performed it brilliantly at the 1998 National Student Singing Festival in Da Nang , winning a gold medal. Since then, the nickname "Red Trio" has been associated with these three male singers.
The program also includes "We'll Return to the Capital," "I'm Still Marching," "Marching with You on the Long Road," "My Love," "Truong Son Night," "Light the Fire, My Dear," "We Sing on the Truong Son Peak," "Evening Without You," "Vietnam, Spring Has Arrived"... These familiar songs are presented in a space that blends symphony, choral music, pop, and rock, combined with modern imagery, lighting, and stage technology, aiming to appeal to a younger audience.
The concert was a gathering of generations of artists to perform Huy Du's works in different styles. Colonel and composer Ho Trong Tuan served as the General Director; People's Artist Pham Trong Khoi and Meritorious Artist Tran Vuong Thach conducted the orchestra. Participating performers included People's Artist Mai Hoa, People's Artist Bui Cong Duy, Meritorious Artist Dang Duong, Meritorious Artist Vu Thang Loi, Meritorious Artist Lan Anh, Dao To Loan, Trong Tan, Le Anh Dung, To Hoa, Khanh Ngoc... along with Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Huy Phuong.
Musicians and artists are dedicating much effort to creating a program that deeply pays tribute to composer Huy Du, while also aiming to preserve and promote the musical heritage of previous generations in today's cultural life.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/100-nam-nhac-si-huy-du-mot-di-san-am-nhac-dong-hanh-cung-dan-toc-1759358.html
