Professor and People's Artist Trọng Bằng passed away at the age of 91. Photo nld.com.vn

HÀ NỘI - Professor Trọng Bằng, who was granted the People's Artist title and former chairman of the Vietnam Musicians Association, passed away on November 21 at the age of 91.

Bằng, born in 1931 in the northern province of Cao Bằng, was also the former Director of the Hanoi Conservatory of Music, the former General Secretary of the Vietnam Musicians Association, and a member of the 10th National Assembly of Việt Nam.

He embarked on his music career when he was a high-school student during the resistance war. After graduating from the first course of the University of Pedagogy of Literature, he was assigned to work on the Central Laos Front and then to Việt Bắc Region during the anti-French war to work as the leader of the Central People's Conservatory of Music (now known as Vietnam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre).

He was the first Vietnamese to graduate with a red degree at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of the Soviet Union in 1963. Returning home, he worked as a lecturer at the Vietnam School of Music and as a conductor of symphony orchestras in Hà Nội. In 1969, he continued to work as a doctoral student at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

From 1972-1978, Bằng was the conductor of the Vietnam National Orchestra, Choir and Ballet Theatre (now Vietnam National Opera and Ballet), then was appointed Deputy Director cum Art Director in 1975.

The artist worked as Deputy Director of the Hanoi Conservatory of Music (now Vietnam National Academy of Music) and Director of the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture and established by himself from 1978-1984

He took over the position of the Director of the Hanoi Conservatory of Music from 1984-1996 and made significant contributions to turning the conservatory into a prestigious training, research and performance centre in the country and internationally. In 1995, he became the General Secretary of the Vietnam Composers Association in two terms, V and VI.

The People's Artist was a great contributor to the construction and development of classical music in Việt Nam. He was the first conductor to lead renowned symphony concerts in Sài Gòn after national liberation and reunification in 1975.

He conducted the Moscow and Tasken symphony orchestras during the Vietnamese Cultural Days in the former Soviet Union in 1985 and the Electone Orchestra in Tokyo (Japan) in 1995. Many internationally acclaimed musicians from around the world such as France, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States have performed with the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra under his baton.

Bằng is also renowned for composing many songs honouring the heroic years of the nation such as Tình Quê Hương (Love for the Motherland), Bài Ca Người Chiến Sỹ Công An Nhân Dân (The Song of the People's Public Security Soldiers), Pháo Ta Gầm (Roaring Cannons), Quê Hương Vang Lên Tiếng Hát Tự Hào (Hometown Resounds Proud Singing), among others.

He is the composer of many famous instrumental works, including Vũ Khúc written for cello and piano, overture Chào Mừng (Welcome) and poetic symphony Người Về Đem Tới Ngày Vui (Returning Uncle Hồ Brings Happy Days) for the symphony orchestra. The versatile artist is also the music writer for many plays, features or documentaries.

Professor - People's Artist Trọng Bằng was awarded the Third Class Independence Order by the State in 2013. In 2017, he was awarded the Hồ Chí Minh Prize for Literature and Art by the State for a series of his works. VNS