Trinh Mai Trang is considered one of the country's most promising piano talents. After years of study and performing abroad, Trang has returned and is impressing audiences. She spoke to Culture Vulture about her ambition to bring classical music closer to the people.
Why did you decide to return Viet Nam?
Believe it or not, I have dreamed of performing in Viet Nam for a long time, even before I had a chance to go abroad. When I was young, I expected that one day I could help bring classical music closer to Vietnamese audiences, not play music abroad and become famous somewhere else in the world.
What is the position of classical music here?
I am an active member of nhaccodien.info, the community of classical music lovers in Viet Nam, and I was told that my music might be difficult for audiences to understand and that classical music is not pleasing to the ears of many people here. Some of my own friends honestly confess that they don't understand and consider my work as casting pearls before swine. Young people will pay for movie tickets but they won't spend a similar amount for a piano concert. This really bothered me, so I wanted to put together a concert to show people that piano and classical music are not alien.
Many people turned out for your recent Piano Journal concert in Ha Noi even though it was raining heavily. How do you lure audience?
I thought alot before putting on this concert. I asked myself whether I could renew a piece to help the audience more easily understand it, but I didn't do that. I had to be faithful to the original. I couldn't change the composer's intent.
Then I thought of creating various ways for the audience to experience classical music through stage design, visual elements, and verbal introductions, as well as my music. The concert was staged to represent the circle of life, from the innocence of childhood to the experiences of maturity, love, joy, sorrow, separation and the ups and downs of life. My concert was accompanied by elements from other media, including film, photographs and words.
The media also helped promote the performance by broadcasting a promotional video. In it, I played piano in a crowded square, and, while many people passed by, no one paid attention. Only a little girl stood and enjoyed.
I wanted to say that I would perform with my heart and I expected that the audience would open their minds and hearts to listen.
Do you think classical music will gain more popular acceptance?
I have the belief that it will. If I couldn't, I wouldn't try to perform. In my opinion, the media mass can help attract audiences to the concerts. The way the public approaches classical music should be changed.
Artists should also interact more with audiences. If I come on stage and think that the audience will talk, send text messages, use their phones or chew gum, there will be a wall between me and them. When I respect the audience, I believe that they will reciprocate.
Have you ever thought of giving up playing piano?
I can't imagine a day I could live without piano, but I experienced a difficult time when I had an injury in 2009 that temporarily prevented me from playing. My hands were wounded so that I had to give up shows and recitals. I wasn't allowed to touch the piano keys and I felt a door had been closed in my face.
I was so lucky enough to be treated by a doctor who had experience curing hands for pianists. He placed a mirror beside my piano and I played on the imaginary keys reflected in the mirror. He allowed me to practise my fingers only for ten minutes a day. Everything started once again. I resumed practicing as if I were a beginner.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to set up a foundation to develop musical talents in Viet Nam and help orphans in some northern provinces, but I don't want to talk too much about this yet.
I will hold another Piano Journal concert in HCM City in April, and then I will go abroad to perform. I receive many offers to perform overseas but I want to develop my career in Viet Nam. I try to keep a strong attachment to my audience at home.
In the future, I will try to stage more creative piano concerts by adding elements of other performing arts. In different ways, I want to bring classical music to the audience. I want to create a market for classical music in Viet Nam. Young people should become acquainted with the music when they are in school. — VNS