CONTEMPLATION: Composer Chu Minh trained generations of young song writers and classical composers. — Photos courtesy of the organisation board

HÀ NỘI — A musical programme to pay tribute to Vietnamese composer Chu Minh, the composer of a lot of Vietnamese revolutionary music, will be held at Âu Cơ Art Centre tonight.

Taking place on Vietnamese Teacher’s Day, Ta Tự Hào Đi Lên, Ôi Việt Nam (Oh Việt Nam, We Go Forward with Pride), named after Chu Minh's biggest hit, the programme is also considered a present from many renowned Vietnamese artists to their music teacher, professor and mentor.

The programme will feature the songs with which Chu Minh has won the hearts of millions of Vietnamese fans of revolutionary music, particularly Oh Việt Nam, We Go Forward with Pride.

The concert will also include famous voices like People’s Artist tenor Quang Thọ, People’s Artist bass Quốc Hưng, as well as Thái Bảo, Minh Thu and Tấn Minh, accompanied by the musicians from the Việt Nam National Symphony Orchestra and Military University of Culture and Arts.

“I’m filled with honour and happiness to perform in the musical night tribute to great composer and also great teacher of generations of Vietnamese artists – Chu Minh. I wish him great health,” said cellist Doãn Hương Khanh.

The artists rehearse for the 'Oh Việt Nam, We Go Forward with Pride' programme which aims to pay tribute to Vietnamese veteran composer Chu Minh.

If Oh Việt Nam, We Go Forward with Pride is considered the pride of Việt Nam’s revolutionary music genre, its author, artist Chu Minh, is considered the pride of Việt Nam’s music in general.

Chu Minh, whose real name is Triệu Đạt Hiền, was born in 1931 in Hà Nội.

He was a revolutionary during the early years of the anti-French resistance wars, at first as a communicative soldier before working in the field of arts. He was assigned to study at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China. On returning, he was one of the founders of the Central People’s Dance Choir, now known as Việt Nam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre.

Minh wrote his first songs in the 1950s, including Chiến Thắng Biên Giới (Border Win), Hoa Sen (Lotus) and Ta Yêu Cụ Hồ (We Love Uncle Hồ).

After the unification of the nation, he wrote Oh Việt Nam, We Go Forward with Pride, which was first performed by the Việt Nam National Symphony Orchestra in Sài Gòn after the liberation day of the city on April 30, 1975. The song, with its glorious melodies that aroused much emotion among listeners, has become the highlight in the career of the composer.

Besides composing, he also worked as the lecturer at Hanoi Conservatory of Music, training generations of young composers. With significant contributions to the country’s music, he was appointed the vice professor title and presented with Hồ Chí Minh Prize in Literature and Arts.

Tickets can be purchased at Âu Cơ Art Centre located on No 8 Huỳnh Thúc Kháng Street, Hà Nội. — VNS