Composer Lam Phương (right) and singer Phạm Quỳnh Anh in their meet in 2018. Photo vietnamnoi.vn

HÀ NỘI  A concert series paying tribute to composer Lam Phương will kick off on November 9 in Hà Nội.

Phương is a phenomenon of Vietnamese music industry in the 20th century and his legacy of 200 romantic songs have won Vietnamese people’s hearts the world over.

Phương was born in 1937 as Lâm Đình Phùng. He is one of several remarkable composers of romantic music of the southern region of Việt Nam. Currently he lives in the US and at the age of 82 is unable to return home due to a stroke he suffered.

Titled Trăm Nhớ Ngàn Thương (A World of Nostagia and Love), the series of live concerts will be held in Hà Nội, HCM City and Rạch Giá City, the southern province of Kiên Giang, the composer’s home town.

The shows will be directed by Vạn Nguyễn and musician Trương Ngọc Ninh, chairman of the Hà Nội Music Association.

“The music of Lam Phương has crossed borders in the world, all music concerts of Vietnamese people abroad have Phương’s songs featured,” said Vạn.

“I love two Vietnamese composers, Trịnh Công Sơn and Lam Phương. While I don’t know why I love Sơn’s music, since I was young and didn't understand the lyrics, I just felt fascinated toby his melodies.

“However, I have loved Phương’s music for 20 years and know exactly why. All of the songs are about people’s love, sorrow, pain and inner feelings. Anyone can find him/herself in his music.

“Listening to Phương’s songs, I have feelings that I am sympathised with and understood, I believe that other people feel that too,” he added.

The shows will take place on November 9 at Hà Nội Opera House, on December 7 in HCM City, and in Rạch Giá City in January.

A book reviewing 70 years in career of composer Phương published by Phụ Nữ Publishing House will be launched at the show in Hà Nội where Meritorious Artist Minh Vượng will be the narrator. VNS