Melodies Composed Resonate Across Centuries
In the heart of Ha Noi, the Hồ Gươm Opera House resounded with the melodious tunes of Hoang Van's music as the concert, For Generations to Come, took place on July 24 and 25. The event marked a significant milestone in the history of Vietnamese music, as Hoang Van's collection was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, making it the first Vietnamese music collection to receive this international recognition.
Hoang Van, born Lê Văn Ngọ, was a towering figure in the history of Vietnamese modern music. He created over 700 works across multiple genres, including songs, symphonies, operas, and ballets, which reflect Vietnamese history, culture, and revolutionary spirit. His compositions, such as Bài Ca Xây Dựng (The Song of Construction), Hò Kéo Pháo (The Artillery-Pulling Chant), and the symphony Thành Đồng Tổ Quốc (Citadel of the Nation), are considered iconic and have been widely influential in shaping modern Vietnamese music.
The concert's script, crafted by Hoang Van's daughter, Lê Y Linh, and co-writer, navigated a seamless flow, weaving epic themes with more personal small stories inside each piece. The performance highlighted Hoang Van's focus on Vietnamese identity through folk melodies, poetic lyrics, and traditional instruments. It also explored the intersection between traditional folklore and Western symphonic style, showcasing his unique blend of classical European structures with Vietnamese folk traditions.
One of Hoang Van's most poignant compositions, Chào Anh Giải Phóng Quân, Chào Mùa Xuân Đại Thắng (Salute to the Liberation Army, Salute to the Great Spring Victory), contains the poignant line, "In the young eyes' corners, smiles fall with tears." This powerful sentiment echoed throughout the concert, reflecting Hoang Van's emotional range and the spirit of national resilience.
The concert also included contrasting pieces such as romantic and triumphant ones, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Hoang Van's musical talent. His music is not just about war and hardship, but also about beauty, hope, and humanity. For instance, Lullaby Under Fireworks, written in 1975, is a poignant and hopeful tribute to mothers who had sacrificed during wartime.
Hoang Van's contributions to the arts in Vietnam were recognised with the prestigious Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and the Arts in 2000. His collection of works was inscribed in 2025 on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, further underlining its cultural and historical importance. The event also marked the official presentation of a UNESCO certificate recognising Hoang Van's body of work as part of the Memory of the World Register.
Lê Y Linh, in her discussion during the concert, spoke about crafting the tribute, navigating her father's vast legacy, and why his music still matters. She emphasised that Hoang Van's music transcends time, resonating deeply with Vietnamese identity and historical experience. His legacy lies in his innovative fusion of traditional Vietnamese themes with modern musical forms, his role in pioneering new genres in Vietnamese music, and his lasting impact on the cultural identity of Vietnam through his vast and diverse compositions.
In summary, the concert For Generations to Come was a fitting tribute to Hoang Van, a composer whose music continues to inspire and captivate audiences. His works are not just historical records, but living testaments to the spirit of Vietnam and its people. They serve as a reminder of the past, a guide for the present, and a beacon for the future.
- The concert, For Generations to Come, not only showcases Hoang Van's unique blend of classical European structures with Vietnamese folk traditions in music, but also underscores the cultural and historical importance of his work by being added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.
- Hoang Van's music, consisting of over 700 works across various genres, transcends time, resonating deeply with Vietnamese identity and historical experience, as emphasized by his daughter, Lê Y Linh, during the concert.
- AI and entertainment might find significance in analyzing Hoang Van's compositions, particularly in understanding the intersection between traditional folklore and Western symphonic style, which could contribute to the development of AI-driven music research and cultural exploration.
