The early 2000s can be described as the golden age of CDs, VCDs, and DVDs. At that time in Vietnam, many people had the habit of going to the streets every day or every week to buy music and movie discs. In an era before social media emerged, video rental shops were the only places where people could keep up with new music, opening up a vibrant world of popular culture.
During the era when the Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, Westlife, and NSYNC were “making waves” in the MTV generation, the cover image of Bond's album 'Born' made a strong visual impression.
At first glance, the four beautiful and alluring girls resembled Bond girls stepping out of a film episode of James Bond 007. But this was a music album, could it be that a new generation of 'Spice Girls' had emerged? Many people bought Bond's VCD titled 'Born' because of curiosity, and ultimately, a blend of classical and modern music, oscillating between calm and contemporary vibrancy, created a massive sensation that permeated every aspect of Vietnamese life at that time.
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Tracks like 'Viva', 'Quixote,' and 'Duel,' whether played in the formal setting of a theatre, a casual café, or even a nightclub with flashing lights, can make anyone stop what they are doing to enjoy the music. In particular, the classic track 'Victory' has always been the melody that resonates during important moments since its early days, when an individual or a group achieves a milestone or completes a goal and wants to celebrate their victory with their loved ones over a glass of champagne.
Bond's 'strange' music is also accompanied by the image of four beautiful girls performing live at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Dressed in form-fitting and dynamic outfits, creating a strong and sexy look, Bond captures everyone’s attention on stage, allowing them to admire both their beauty and be captivated by the music, which is both classic and very modern.
Classical music can be for everyone
In the 2000s and earlier, there were many opinions that classical music was only suitable for a specific audience segment, including the aristocracy, the wealthy, and the academic elite. However, Bond appeared and demonstrated a breakthrough, affirming that classical music belongs to the masses.
Bond was formed after an initial conversation between composer and music producer Mike Batt of the legendary Asian-born violinist Vanessa-Mae and her manager, Mel Bush. Batt suggested to Bush that they create a quartet of 'four talented and beautiful artists'.
Auditions were held at Baden Powell House in London. At that time, violinist Eos, cellist Gay Yee, and a violist were selected, performing Batt's composition 'Contradanza', created for Vanessa-Mae, as their audition piece. Later, two artists from Australia, Tania and Haylie, became the remaining members of Bond. After Haylie left the group in 2008, Tania became the first violinist, and Elspeth, an artist from England, played viola.
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Since its establishment in 2000, Bond has continually affirmed its position on the global music stage through their exquisite string playing technique and ability to blend classical music with contemporary elements. Bond's music can be gentle and soothing but instantly become intense and powerful, always surprising listeners with a range of emotions. This has helped them transcend the boundaries of a typical classical music group, opening the door to a broader audience.
The biggest difference between Bond and traditional string quartets is their cross-genre musical style, which blurs the lines of time. While many classical groups adhere to tradition by performing works from classical composers like Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky, Bond distinguishes itself by integrating classical music with modern elements such as pop, techno, and rock. Some of their pieces rework classical compositions and incorporate electronic sounds, while others are original compositions specifically for strings.
Their works showcase the elegance and sophistication of the cello, violin, and viola while incorporating electronic effects, creating fresh and unique sounds. Hits like 'Victory,' 'Viva,' and 'Explosive' are typical examples of the harmonious blend of classical music with modern genres".
Perfect string technique
Not only has Bond created a unique mark with their groundbreaking innovations in musical style, but they are also highly regarded for their musical technique. All four band members are outstanding artists with a solid academic background from prestigious music schools, such as the Royal College of Music in London, UK. Their playing technique has been described as skilful and flexible, with absolute control over intensity, speed, and expressive nuance. As a result, when they take the stage, Bond truly masters it, and, like the Bond girls of James Bond, they captivate and enchant anyone who looks at them.
One of the highlights of Bond's string playing technique is the tight coordination among its members. In a string quartet, the harmony among the instruments is crucial. Bond has developed this skill to perfection, creating a unified and sharp sound, whether they are performing the great classical works of renowned composers or their original compositions.
Bond also knows how to leverage technology in their performances to create effects. In an era when electronic sounds began to trend in the early 2000s, Bond fully exploited sound and visual technology to deliver impressive performances. They play and create a visual, musical experience with lighting, dynamic imagery, and unique stage effects.
They use electronic violins like Zeta and Bridge, allowing for an expanded sound range and creating sound layers that are difficult to achieve with traditional classical instruments. The combination of their exquisite technique and technology has given Bond a distinctive performance style, making them stand out among string quartets worldwide.
Bond's success has proven that classical music is not a limited aspect but can evolve and transform in many different ways. Bond has opened a new trend in music, where creativity and innovation are prioritised. This helped the string quartet become a music icon, contributing to expanding the boundaries of the classical genre and allowing it to reach many new generations of audiences.
A quarter of a century for the most successful string quartet of all time
To date, Bond has released four studio albums: 'Born' (2000), 'Shine' (2002), 'Classified' (2004), and 'Play' (2011). With over 5 million records sold, Bond has been recognised as the most successful string quartet of all time.
Through a quarter of a century, Bond has affirmed that they are an outstanding band in terms of technique and pioneers in innovating classical music. Their creativity and relentless efforts have made the band a legendary name in the world of string quartets.
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Bond's success was not only measured by the number of albums sold but also by the influence they have created in the global music scene. Bond has created a new playground for strings, changing how global audiences perceive and appreciate classical music.
Through their iconic tracks, especially the triumphant 'Victory', Bond demonstrates that string instruments can reach a new future, where music is no longer confined by old frameworks, opening up new horizons full of colour and emotion.
Performing in Vietnam on the evening of October 5, during the largest concert compared to their previous two visits, Bond Live In Vietnam will showcase 20 pieces, some of which have been refreshed to be more appealing.
Nguyen Thuy Duong, the Programme’s Production Director, shared: “I affirm that this is one of the few concerts invested in scale and has the largest number of participants in the world for Bond. We are very pleased that Bond has come and made a difference since the group performed from 2001 until now. As an organisation experienced in bringing many international music legends to Vietnam, IB Group is proud to continue contributing to the Good Morning Vietnam project in collaboration with Nhan Dan Newspaper, featuring the legendary quartet Bond”.
Bond Live In Vietnam will take place at 8 PM on October 5, 2024, at the National Convention Centre, promising an emotionally rich musical night on the stage of the capital. All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to support those affected by recent Storm No. 3.
