HÀ NỘI — Nearly 200 artists and musicians from 30 countries and territories will participate in the second Asia-Europe New Music Festival to be held in Hà Nội and Vĩnh Yên cities starting tomorrow.

The event is a good opportunity to introduce Vietnamese revolutionary and contemporary music and promote the nation’s culture, as also a chance to strengthen cultural and musical exchanges between countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the world,  Đỗ Hồng Quân, chairman of the Việt Nam Musicians’ Association (VMA), said yesterday.

“Vietnamese composers and musicians can learn more about development trends in Asian and European music,” he said.

“This year, we will highlight the role of traditional musical instruments in each country. The audience will enjoy two pieces exclusively written for Vietnamese đàn bầu (monochord) by composers from Hong Kong and Australia.”

The festival’s theme of “Music – Convergence and Pervasion” will be reflected in the 11 main performances of symphony music, chamber music, chorus, opera and ballet, organisers said.

These include the latest compositions by musicians representing different schools of contemporary music from around the world including.

Many well-known Vietnamese musicians and artistes will perform at the festival, including violinist Bùi Công Duy and conductors Lê Phi Phi and Vũ Nhật Tân.

The festival will also include two workshops on New Musical Exchanges between Asian and European Countries and the Vietnamese đàn bầu.

The opening and closing ceremonies will take place respectively at the Hà Nội Opera House tomorrow and the Việt Nam National Musical Academy (VNAM)’s Concert Hall on October 18.

The festival is organised in collaboration with the 34th conference of the Asia-Pacific Composers’ League. Việt Nam joined the league in 2014. The same year, it also hosted the first Asia-Europe New Festival.

Initiated by the Unions of Composers of Russia and Tatarstan in 1993, the Asia-Europe New Music Festival has since become a prestigious international music forum. The biennial event has so far attracted the participation of 45 countries and territories in the two continents.

Apart from the opening concert at the Hà Nội Opera House and another by the Asia-Pacific Composers’ League at Vĩnh Phúc Theatre in Vĩnh Yên City, Vĩnh Phúc Province, all other concerts performed at the VNAM’s concert hall are free and open to the public. Tickets for these can be collected at the office of the VMA, 51 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Hà Nội. — VNS

Schedule of New Music Festival concerts

8pm, October 12: Opening Ceremony and Symphony Concert at the Hà Nội Opera House

10am, October 13: Concert by young Vietnamese composers at the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

8pm, October 13: Concert of Asia – America New Music Institute at the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

10am, October 14: Concert 1: Solo, Duo and Trio at the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

8pm, October 14: Concert 2: Ensemble the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

8pm, October 15: Concert 3: Chamber Orchestra at the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

10am, October 16: Concert 4: Solo and Quartet at the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

8pm, October 16: Concert 5: Asia – Europe, Night of Music at the Concert Hall, Việt Nam National Academy of Music

8pm, October 17: Concert Friendship Melodies at Vĩnh Phúc Theatre, Vĩnh Yên city

8pm, October 18: Closing Concert at the Hà Nội Opera House