HÀ NỘI — The annual symphony concert "Điều Còn Mãi" (What Remains Forever) hosted by online newspaper Vietnamnet will be held for the 10th straight year on September 2 at the Hà Nội Opera House.

Singer Tùng Dương will perform a rock song at the Điều Còn Mãi concert, a new addition to a show held annually to celebrate the country's Reunification Day. Photo vietnamplus.vn

The 10th edition of the concert, which is held to celebrate the country's National Day, will highlight a rock song titled Tâm Hồn Của Đá (Stone’s Soul) by late composer Trần Lập, according to director of the Việt Nam National Symphony Orchestra and general director of the concert Nguyễn Trí Dũng.

At a press conference on August 23, Dũng said the rock song will be a big change to the concert, which has long included Vietnamese pop songs and classical instrumental pieces.

“Many people think classical music is a strict genre framed in limited pieces, but there are many rock and rap songs played by symphony orchestras as well,” Dũng said.

“Creations in the background of symphony music are not limited. This year, audiences will enjoy a rock symphony, which I think will not disappoint anybody.”

Conductor Lê Phi Phi said: "We will show the audience how rock rhythms are alluring when played by a symphony orchestra.”

Tùng Dương, who will sing the rock song, said it would be a big challenge for him to renew the well-known piece and make it attractive to younger listeners.

“I’ll bring along new energy, enthusiasm of the youth together with the sound mixing by composer Trần Mạnh Hùng,” Dương said.

The concert will also feature songs with folk melodies like Nhà Em Ở Lưng Đồi (My House is on the Middle of the Hill) by composer Đức Trịnh, performed by singer Dương Hoàng Yến.

“I’m proud to be the youngest to perform with experienced artists in this concert,” Yến said. “I hope to impress the audience with my song.”

Yến, who is joining the show for the first time, was clearly excited to be involved.

According to the organisers, this year's show will include more pop songs than in years past.

Under the theme "Bay Lên Việt Nam” (Flying Up Việt Nam), the songs will focus on praising nationalism and patriotism and calling people to work together to build up a wealthier Việt Nam.

Various other pop songs include Lời Ca Dâng Bác (Singing Dedicating Uncle Hồ) by composer Trọng Loan, Sông Lô Chiều Cuối Năm (Lô River on a Year-End Afternoon) by Minh Quang, Người Con Gái Sông La (A Woman from La River) by Doãn Nho, and Hà Nội - Huế - Sài Gòn by Hoàng Vân.

Besides popular singers like Đăng Dương, Trọng Tấn, Tùng Dương, Lê Anh Dũng and Đào Tố Loan, the show will gather young artists such as Dương Hoàng Yến, Phạm Thùy Dung and Trần Hồng Nhung.

Other pieces will include a revised version of the folk melody Lý Ngựa Ô (Rhapsody Việt Nam) by composer Đỗ Hồng Quân and Bài Ca Chung Thủy (Song of Loyalty) with a solo violin performance by People’s Artist Bùi Công Duy.

According to conductor Phi, the organisers have also picked four popular children's songs by composer Hoàng Vân for the show including Em Yêu Trường Em (I Love My School) and Mùa Hoa Phượng Nở (Season of Flamboyant Flowers).

"I think letting more children join the show is interesting,” Phi said. “Children's songs performed with an orchestra and symphony will create a fresh experience.”

The show will take place at 2pm at the Hà Nội Opera House on September 2 and will be broadcast live on VTV1.— VNS