HOPE Ensemble: Concert for Peace, Friendship, and Christmas-New Year Wishes
WVR - On December 18, on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) to "Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”, the HOPE Ensemble and distinguished artists organized the "Concert for Peace and Friendship" at the Small Concert Hall of the Hanoi Conservatory.
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More than just an emotionally rich artistic event, the concert also spread messages of inclusion, humanity, and the aspiration for peace. It marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations, the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-U.S. relations, and conveyed well wishes during the Christmas season.
The concert held special significance as it was organized to commemorate key milestones in Vietnam's foreign relations: 50 years of diplomatic ties with Germany and 30 years with the United States.
As Christmas approaches, the program also extended wishes of peace, hope, and love to the audience.
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| Concert for Peace, Friendship, and Christmas-New Year Wishes: HOPE Ensemble traditional instruments. (Photo: Thanh Binh) |
The program began with a performance by the HOPE Ensemble traditional instruments. Using traditional Vietnamese instruments like the flute, zither (16-string zither, Dan tranh), and monochord, familiar melodies guided listeners on a musical journey across various cultures. Despite differences in origin and tone, the pieces shared a common belief in peace and humanity.
The first piece, Shared Belief, affirmed that humanistic values have the power to connect people worldwide.
This was followed by a medley of tunes from Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, creating a rich, friendship-filled Asian musical journey.
The HOPE Ensemble continued to bring people to traditional American melodies, including Old Folks at Home, Red River Valley, Amazing Grace, and Beautiful Dreamer. These timeless works echo the American spirit of compassion, faith, and hope.
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| The program, held on the evening of December 18, sent audiences wishes of peace, hope, and love. (Photo: Thanh Nga) |
The second part of the program featured the HOPE Choir, led by soloist Xuan Thanh, taking the audience into the realm of German hymns and classical music.
O Tannenbaum resonates as a song about Christmas symbol, representing the warmth and endurance of the Christmas tree.
The Spring is Coming by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which has become so widely loved that it is often regarded as a folk song of humanity, transcended scholarly music to become a familiar melody for many generations.
Hallelujah by George Frideric Handel expresses faith and praise.
The set concludes with Ave Verum Corpus by W. A. Mozart, a gentle and profound tribute to compassion and sacrifice for humanity.
In celebration of Vietnam-Germany and Vietnam-U.S. diplomatic relations, many pieces in the program were performed in German and English, with Vietnamese translations, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the artistic content.
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| Pianist Ton That Triem and Dr. Mai Huy Tan, former soldier at Quang Tri Ancient Citadel battefield, author of "Lullaby of the Forest". (Photo: Thanh Nga) |
During the concert, the HOPE Choir also performed many Vietnamese songs filled with love for the homeland and people. Hanoian by Nguyen Dinh Thi portrays Hanoi’s elegance and resilience. Music of the Forest by Hoang Viet reflects optimism and strength. Notably, for the first time, the HOPE Choir performed Lullaby of the Forest – a piece composed by Mai Huy Tan in April 1972 on the Quang Tri battlefield. The gentle melody amidst the bombing and hardship, imbued with humanity and the peace aspirations of a soldier at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, left the hall in silent emotion.
Additionally, the Hope Choir presented many lyrical songs from other countries. The program concluded with familiar Christmas carols like Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night, Ode to Joy (Beethoven), Feliz Navidad, Jingle Bells…
The lively, warm melodies were like wishes from the HOPE Ensemble to the audience for a peaceful, happy, and love-filled Christmas season.
In over an hour of performance, the audience enjoyed the ethereal piano of artist Ton That Triem, the clear zither, the warm monochord, the melodious flute of visually impaired artists; the powerful soprano of soloist Xuan Thanh and the harmony of the HOPE Choir members.
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| Delegates and artists attending the concert program. (Source: Organizing Committee) |
The pieces were performed in multiple languages: Vietnamese, English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian… Regardless of the language, listeners could feel the deep emotions, love for humanity and homeland, aspirations for peace and happiness; experiencing the power of music in connecting people, transcending differences and borders.
Through music, the program was a prayer for peace, a bridge of friendship, a voice of empathy and inclusion, overcoming all barriers of geography, culture, and differences.
| The HOPE Ensemble brings together talented young people who love the arts, established in the context of the U.S. non-governmental organization Samaritan's Purse proposing music and art classes for visually impaired students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School. At present, HOPE is made up of 16 remarkable visually-impaired singers and folk instrument musicians. They practice under the guidance of pianist Ton That Triem and opera singer Nguyen Xuan Thanh. For over 20 years, with the help of non-governmental organizations and many teachers, including pianist Ton That Triem and artist Nguyen Xuan Thanh, HOPE has performed at the 20th anniversary of Vietnam-U.S. diplomacy (July 2015) and at many other important diplomatic events. |
