Concert 'The flow of music': Let the piano tell the story of Vietnam–Poland friendship
WVR - Using music as a common language of understanding, the concert “Dong chay am nhac” (The flow of music) brought an emotional meeting between Polish and Vietnamese artists, thereby contributing to the cultivation of friendship between the two nations after 76 years of Vietnam-Poland diplomatic relations.
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| Pianist Rafael Luszczewski rehearses before the performance at Ho Guom Theater. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
On the evening of May 31, on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Poland diplomatic relations, at Ho Guom Theater, the Polish Embassy in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam Classical Music Association, organized the concert “Dong chay am nhac”, thereby honouring the strong friendship between the two countries.
The event was attended by former Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, Central Party Committee member, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek, along with numerous ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, and music lovers in Hanoi.
The concert featured two prominent pianists from Poland and Vietnam, Rafael Luszczewski and Nguyen Viet Trung, presenting classic works associated with Polish musical heritage as well as the flow of European music through various periods.
The flow of music bridging cultural shores
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| Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek delivers the opening speech at the concert “Dong chay am nhac” on the occasion of 76 years of Vietnam-Poland diplomatic relations. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
In her opening speech, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Joanna Skoczek affirmed that the space of the “Dòng chảy âm nhạc” concert is an opportunity to enjoy deeply emotional piano performances while celebrating the connection between people, culture, and shared values that transcend geographical distances.
Emphasizing that music is a “language” beyond words and borders, Ambassador Skoczek expressed that this power has become a bridge helping the people of Vietnam and Poland to understand each other better, thereby nurturing the friendship between the two nations.
On this occasion, Ambassador Joanna Skoczek also introduced the audience to notable figures in Polish music, from Fryderyk Chopin, Karol Szymanowski, Henryk Wieniawski to many contemporary artists, who have spread the spirit of freedom, sensitivity, and hope of the Polish people to audiences worldwide.
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| The program attracted the attention of many delegates, diplomats, and classical music enthusiasts. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
Ambassador Skoczek further informed that as one of the first countries to establish relations with Vietnam, Poland wishes to deepen and make the bilateral relationship more substantive, while continuing to build the Vietnam-Poland friendship on the existing foundation of cooperation.
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| Pianist Rafael Luszczewski takes the audience on an emotional musical journey through European masterpieces. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
Following Ambassador Joanna Skoczek's remarks on the connecting power of music, the “Dong chay am nhac” concert led the audience into a rich and emotional artistic journey.
In the space of Ho Guom Theater, music became a bridge connecting art-loving souls beyond all geographical and linguistic distances.
The program was built from representative works of Schubert, Prokofiev, Brahms, Addinsell, and especially Fryderyk Chopin – a composer closely associated with the Polish spirit.
The melodies, sometimes deep, sometimes intense, guided the audience through various emotional nuances, while portraying the beauty of European musical heritage across different periods.
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| Pianist Nguyen Viet Trung performs at the concert commemorating 76 years of Vietnam-Poland diplomatic relations. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
Notably, while Rafael Luszczewski is an internationally experienced artist highly regarded for his profound interpretations of Chopin's works, Nguyen Viet Trung is a prominent young Vietnamese artist gradually establishing his position on the world classical music stage.
The meeting between the two artists created a special highlight for the program, contributing to the spirit of cultural exchange that the concert aimed to promote.
Polish memories resonate in Hanoi's musical space
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| Pianist Rafael Luszczewski believes that music has the power to create understanding beyond language barriers. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
In an interview with The World and Vietnam Report on the occasion of the program, pianist Rafael Luszczewski said that music is a special bridge that shortens the distance between Vietnam and Poland, even though the two countries are geographically distant and possess very different cultures and languages. According to him, while many differences require time to understand, music has the ability to create almost instant empathy, helping people find common ground through emotions.
For the Polish artist, the enduring vitality of Fryderyk Chopin's music is the clearest testament to the ability to transcend cultural boundaries. Although deeply rooted in the Polish spirit, Chopin's works contain universal emotions such as joy, homesickness, pride, or the desire for freedom, touching the hearts of audiences in many countries, including Vietnam.
“Chopin's music reflects the Polish spirit with a wide range of emotions. Although born in a specific historical context, these emotions can be felt and shared anywhere,” Rafael Luszczewski shared, adding that this harmony has made Chopin a natural meeting point between cultures.
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| Pianist Rafael Luszczewski with his recorded works in his artistic career. (Photo: Doan Ngan) |
Sharing more about the performance in Hanoi, the artist revealed that he specifically chose the Warsaw Concerto by British composer Richard Addinsell and arranged it for solo piano. According to him, this is a work rich in artistic value, closely linked to Poland's historical memories during World War II.
What makes the piece even more special to him is its connection to his own family story. The artist noted that the image of the pianist becoming a fighter pilot in the piece reminds him of his uncle, a Polish soldier who served in the British air force during the war. For him, it is not just a musical work but a continuation of historical memory, patriotism, and experiences that have shaped the Polish national identity.
Pianist Luszczewski shared that programs like “Dong chay am nhac” not only introduce European classical works but also open opportunities for the Vietnamese public to get closer to Polish history, culture, and spiritual life. Through this, the understanding between the peoples of the two countries is naturally nurtured, contributing to deepening the friendship foundation built over more than seven decades.
