United nations: Vietnamese-Norwegian conductor Khac Uyen( top) and German pianist Andreas Boyde will perform together tonight in the Ha Noi Opera House. — File Photo

HA NOI — The Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra will perform tonight at the Ha Noi Opera House under the baton of Vietnamese Norwegian Khac Uyen.

The orchestra will play Overture Coriolan by Beethoven, Mozart's Piano Concerto No 21 in C and Symphony No 9, From the New World by Antonin Dvorak.

The music would be performed in dramatic style, Uyen said.

"It's convenient for me to conduct the programme in my own style because the orchestra has performed the pieces many times," Uyen said.

"The musicians are very enthusiastic. They help me a lot. I hope to have more chances to perform in the homeland."

Born in 1971, Uyen began to study violin with his father at age 5. He left Viet Nam at age 17 to study at the Norwegian State Academy of Music in Oslo and later post graduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music in London.

In 1999, he gave a solo concert in Ha Noi with musicians from the Viet Nam National Academy of Music.

In 2002 he completed a conducting course at the Royal Academy of Music.

Uyen has also been a member of the Oslo Kammerorchester (Norway), the Beethoven Halle Symphony Orchestra Bonn (Germany) and the Malmo Opera (Sweden).

Uyen is also active in the field of education. He founded the Verdandi Camerata to promote young gifted graduates and provide a platform for contemporary composers. Verdandi Camerata was awarded the Concordia Prize toward its successful London debut.

He has been the music director of the Southwark Sinfonia in London since 2010.

In the concerts at 8pm tonight and tomorrow night, guest pianist Andreas Boyde will perform, his first time in Viet Nam.

Boyde has been hailed by critics as a "gentleman of 100,000 volts" because of his energetic performances.

He has given recitals in renowned concert venues and appeared as a soloist with the likes of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Schsische Staatskapelle Dresden and the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra.

Recently, Boyde concluded recording Johannes Brahms's complete solo piano works, produced by Oehms Classics. His extensive CD recordings have received five-star reviews from leading music magazines, with more than one interpretation being described as "a stroke of genius".

"Boyde has a strong and modern style which is suitable for my performance," Uyen said.

The concerts will kick off at 8pm. — VNS