Conductor returns for concert

HA NOI – Conductor Le Phi Phi has returned from Serbia and will perform at Ha Noi Opera House tomorrow.

Phi, who was born in Ha Noi, will lead the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra to play Russian pieces in a Night with Rachmaninov.

After graduating from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music in 1993, Phi became the permanent conductor for the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra for seven years.

He then became a guest conductor of Serbia's radio and television symphonic orchestra.

From 2007, Phi became conductor of the Nis Symphony Orchestra in Serbia and led many tours to Russia, Germany, France and Italy.

Since 1995, Phi has returned regularly to his homeland to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Ha Noi Philharmonic Orchestra, and HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera.

He is considered a bridge between overseas Vietnamese artists and those in Viet Nam itself. He received a Viet Nam Glory award in 2005 from Viet Nam Net, an on-line newspaper.

The Night with Rachmaninov will be the first performance of the Viet Nam Symphony Orchestra and French-Georgian guest pianist Guigla Katsarava.

Katsarava comes from the great tradition of Russian piano-players, but has a unique musical personality of his own. The legendary Lazar Berman described his interpretations as being "always impregnated with a true comprehension of style".

He has performed recitals, chamber-music and with orchestras in many countries. The Ha Noi performance will be his first in Viet Nam.

The concert will feature two pieces, including Piano Concerto No 2 and Rachmaninoff's popular Symphonic Dances.

The concerts will begin at 8pm on Friday and Saturday. -- VNS