Violinist Bui Cong Duy

HA NOI — The Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) will perform for the first time in the northern province of Thanh Hoa on August 13 as part of the 2015 Toyota Concert tour.

The concert will be held in Thanh Hoa Province, bringing well-known artists such as violin virtuoso Bui Cong Duy, saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan and Viet Nam Idol 2014 champion Nhat Thuy to locals.

Singer Nhat Thuy

IT will also be Tuan and Thuy's first performance for the Toyota Concert series. Tuan will play Vietnamese jazz tunes Send the Wind for Flying Clouds by Doan Chuan - Tu Linh, and White Summer by Trinh Cong Son.

"It is a precious chance for a jazz artist like me to perform with the VNSO. Crossover classical music is not rare in the world but this combination will charm audiences," said Tuan.

The concert's overture, Thou Who Brought Happiness To Us is a work by Vietnamese composer Trong Bang.

Emerging singer Thuy will perform three Vietnamese songs entitled The Voice in Pac Po Forest, The Colour of Red Flower and The Land Faraway.

The song The Voice in Pac Po Forest was composed by Nguyen Tai Tue. The musician wrote the song to celebrate President Ho Chi Minh's 70th birthday. Despite never having set foot in Pac Po forest of Cao Bang, Tue said the forest and President Ho Chi Minh inspired him to write the song.

Under the baton of Conductor Honna Tetsuji, the VNSO will perform the masterpieces Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Saint Saens; Melody From Memory of a Dear Place by Tchaikovsky; and the first movement of Beethoven's Symphony No3.

"The piece by French composer Saint Saens is a challenge for any musician to perform. The composer spent time in Viet Nam's Con Dao Island in 1895," said violinist Bui Cong Duy, searching for inspiration for his solo performance of Saint-Saens's piece.

The Toyota Concert has been held annually since 1998. This year's concert edition marks the 20th anniversary of Toyota Motors' presence in Viet Nam.

Saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan will perform at the Toyota Concert Tour 2015 August, 5-13. — File Photos

The concert will also air at Ha Noi's Opera House from August 5-6; Da Nang Trung Vuong Municipal Theatre on August 9; and HCM City Municipal Theatre on August 11.

"In line with the programme's tradition of charity, all the ticket proceeds will be donated to the Toyota Scholarship for Vietnamese Young Music Talents," said Doan Thi Yen, Deputy President of Toyota Motors Viet Nam.

For ticket information please see page 24. — VNS