HÀ NỘI — Japanese conductor Tetsuji Honna will lead the Việt Nam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) to perform in the central coastal city of Đà Nẵng on August 10. 

Under the baton of the conductor, leading musicians from the VNSO will perform renowned pieces by composer Edvard Grieg, Johann Strauss II, Georges Bizet and Leroy Anderson. 

The concert - VNSO Holiday Concert 2023 - is one of a series of activities being held in Việt Nam by the Japanese embassy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Japan in 2023.

"There are activities and programmes to be held in both countries and I hope that the programmes will respect the understanding and empathy between the people," said Yamada Takio, Japanese ambassador. 

"The programmes give people in the two countries to join together and enjoy joy."

Conductor Honna has been the musical director and principal conductor of the VNSO for more than 20 years. 

With his experiences of working with the world’s leading solo artists, namely Martha Argerich, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Antonio Menses and Cecile Licade and conducting different orchestras, Honna has helped to improve the performance quality of the VNSO.

He led VNSO performances in many places around the world including the tour in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan and the US. 

He conducted many orchestras including the Hungary Philharmonic States, Zagreb Philharmonic, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra and Prague Radio.

In Japan, he was assigned conductor of the Osaka Symphony Orchestra and conductor of the Japan Chamber Orchestra. Between 1998-2001, he was the standing guest conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra.

He won the first prize at the Tokyo International Conducting Competition; the first prize at the Budapest International Conducting Competition and the first prize in the Osaka Stage Art Development.

His effort in promoting the relationship between Việt Nam and Japan has been recognised by the two governments.

He was awarded by the Japanese ambassador to Việt Nam in 2009; as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 2011; and the Việt Nam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organisation in 2018.

Under the baton of the conductor, Morning Mood from Peer Gynt Suite No1, Op. 46 will open the concert. The piece by Edvard Grieg in 1875 will be familiar to many people from its frequent use of television adverts to convey a relaxed pastoral mood.

After Morning Mood, the concert will be gentle fluttering sounds from Leroy Anderson's hits from the 1950s such as The Syncopated Clock; Plink Plunk Plank; The Waltzing Cat; and Blue Tango.

At the intermission, there will be a session for a small audience. They will have the chance to watch the orchestra playing extracts from Toreador from Carmen with conductor Honna supporting. 

Founded in 1959, VNSO performs close to 40 concerts per year, with a repertoire ranging from classical to romantic and contemporary music. The orchestra has performed in the US, Italy and Japan.

The concert will begin at 7.30 at Trưng Vương Theatre, at 35A Phan Châu Trinh, Hải Châu District, in Đà Nẵng City. — VNS