The event was held as part of a series of concerts towards to the 14th National Party Congress, and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam–Germany friendship (1975–2025). It was organised by the Viet Nam Classical Music Association, with the participation of the Tubingen Academic Symphony Orchestra, the Viet Nam National Academy of Music, the Ho Guom Theatre, and Taekwang Group.
Speaking at the programme, music theorist and critic, composer Tran Le Chien, Vice President and General Secretary of the Viet Nam Classical Music Association, recalled that during his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh – a visionary leader ahead of his time and the founder of cultural diplomacy – affirmed: “Culture and art are a front.” That statement has deeply resonated, reminding every artist of their responsibility and mission to connect, sow seeds and nurture friendship and cooperative development among countries and peoples through mutual understanding and respect, respect for cultural differences, and joint efforts to cultivate peace.
The idea that “culture is the spiritual foundation of society” serves both as a goal and a driving force for Viet Nam’s development in the nation’s era of advancement. This is clearly reflected in the strong attention and consistent orientations of Party General Secretary To Lam towards the fields of literature and the arts.
From this, it becomes even clearer that for Viet Nam’s cultural industries to develop sustainably and integrate internationally, continuously improving the quality of cultural products within the global flow is an important and urgent objective. This is also the principle, mission and vision of the Viet Nam Classical Music Association.
“The programme is a meeting of artists from two countries, with different cultures but sharing a common aspiration towards the eternal beauty of a peaceful world and noble humanistic values,” said composer Tran Le Chien.
A part from the participation of Professor, composer and performer Dang Ngoc Long, the concert also featured conductor Philipp Amelung together with the Tubingen Academic Symphony Orchestra (Federal Republic of Germany); pianist Nguyen Viet Trung; and guest artists including young performers Do Phuong Nhi (violin) and Tran Hong Nhung (cello).
Professor, composer and performer Dang Ngoc Long is currently Principal of the Berlin-Gesundbrunnen School of Music, Chairman of the Artistic Council of the Berlin International Guitar Competition, and the only Vietnamese individual to have a music competition in Germany named after him: the “LONG-Wettbewerb für Sologitarre” (Long Solo Guitar Competition).
