The concert is being held by the VNSO and the Goethe Institute for youth and their parents on the occasion of International Children's Day. The VNSO first played the piece in March. — Photo dantri

HA NOI  (VNS) — The Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) will perform the symphonic poem Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks on Sunday in Ha Noi.

The concert is being held by the VNSO and the Goethe Institute for youth and their parents on the occasion of International Children's Day. The VNSO first played the piece in March.

"This is a very old German story from more than 500 years ago," said conductor Tetsuji Honna. "This time we will show and explain in more detail, scene by scene, helping small children to understand and enjoy the musical work."

It is one of composer Richard Strauss' most popular symphonic poems. It's told about Till Eulenspiegel, a single-movement orchestral work.

Strauss composed the piece between 1894 and 1895 based on a German folk tale from the 14th century.

Till Eulenspiegel is famous for never taking himself or his fellows too seriously. He looks at life from a humorous point of view.

The stories of Till Eulenspiegel will be told and acted out by actor Nhu Lai, with musical accompaniment by the orchestra.

Once the stage is properly set and the hero is identified, the listeners will follow Till's tales of social destruction as he frustrates workers, pastors and intellectuals alike.

"I'm a little bit nervous because this is the first time I have performed with an orchestra," Lai said. "However, it is an interesting experience for my job."

Nhu Lai also wrote the Vietnamese narration after he read the Vietnamese version of Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks provided by the Goethe Institute.

A projector will show illustrations by Doan Bang, who also designed the show's set. The only set piece is a wagon, which will follow the narrator throughout the performance.

Children who come to the concert are welcome to try conducting the orchestra. They and their parents will have a chance to learn all sorts of interesting facts about the different instruments.

The concert will start at 8pm on Sunday at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music, 77 Hao Nam Street. — VNS