Late composer An Thuyen. — Photo cpv.org.vn

HA NOI (VNS)  — In an appropriate farewell, a collection of the late composer An Thuyen's favourite songs will be performed at a music night to celebrate his life after his passing away in July.

His daughter, TV music director Bong Mai, produced the night of music, Tan Vao Ha Noi (Melted into Ha Noi), as a "gift" to her father.

"His sudden death caused a great shock for my family and me. My father and I still have many unfinished work and many ideas for our music projects. This performance is a symbol of my filial piety to my beloved father," Mai said.

The concert will include singers Thu Hien, Tan Minh, My Linh, Tung Duong, Ho Ngoc Ha, and Ho Quynh Huong.

Several of the singers who will take part in the evening actually began their careers as students at the Military College of Arts & Culture, where army Major General Thuyen worked as a principal from 1993-2009.

All the artists on the playbill have all volunteered their performances as a sign of love and respect for the late composer.

The proceeds from ticket sales will be used to found the An Thuyen Music Fund, which will work to complete his unfinished projects.They include a multi-volume book of children songs by a collection of composers and a songbook featuring compositions by army veteran composers.

A CD featuring moon-themed songs by Thuyen and a composition camp for businessmen are also some unfinished project ideas that will be developed by the fund.

Melted into Ha Noi will be held on October 11 at the Ha Noi Opera House, which will be overrun with daisies, Thuyen's favorite flower, and several of his hand-written lyrics and landscape photos will be on display in the lobby.

Prices of tickets have been reduced from normal concert prices because, Mai says, "Anyone who loves his music, from a sticky rice seller to an ordinary labourer, should be able to afford a ticket."

Throughout his career, the composer amassed an impressive collection of prizes from the Viet Nam Composers Association.

Thuyen was granted the State Prize for Literature and Arts in 2007. In the same year, he was promoted to Major General, the highest military rank that a soldier operating in the artistic field has ever received. — VNS