HCM CITY – Spanish conductor David Goméz Ramiréz and leading violinist Bùi Công Duy will present an all-Beethoven concert in HCM City on September 19.

Duy will open the night with Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 61, a masterpiece for the violin composed in 1806.

The composition, first performed by Austrian Franz Clement, was initially unsuccessful. It was revived in 1844 by Hungarian Joseph Joachim and has become one of the best-known violin concertos.

“It is one of my favourite concertos, but it’s also very difficult to play. It’s a challenge to me,” said Duy. 

“I hope the collaboration with the conductor will bring an unforgettable night to audiences in HCM City,” the 35-year-old said.

Duy will perform with the support of the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO).

Duy, who began playing violin at the age of four under the instruction of his father, professor and violinist Bùi Công Thành, is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky National Music College in Moscow.

He won top prizes at international competitions, including first prize and a golden medal in 1997 from the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Saint Petersburg.

He has performed at concerts in many countries, including Việt Nam, Germany, Italy, and Norway. He works as a lecturer at the Việt Nam National Academy of Music.

Leader of the pack: Spanish conductor David Goméz Ramiréz will direct and lead an all-Beethoven concert in HCM City on September 19. — Photo courtesy of HBSO

The concert will also feature Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F Major, op. 93, composed in 1812, and first performed in 1814 in Vienna, Austria.

Ramiréz, 40, conducted his first concert when he was 17.

He has been guest conductor for the National Orchestra of Spain, the Symphony Orchestra Academy Ljubljana of Slovenia, Orchestra of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Moscow, Orchestra of Coutances of France, National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba, and the Hà Nội Philharmonic Orchestra and HBSO of Việt Nam.

In 2010, he received the Giraldillo de Oro prize, the highest award in Spain given by the Cultural Arts and Sciences Association.

The concert will begin at 8 pm at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Sơn Square, in District 1. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketbox.vn or at the venue. — VNS