Vietnamese artists make their mark at the World Youth Orchestra Festival in Russia
WVR - The Young Chamber Orchestra from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music recently performed at Zaryadye Park, Moscow, as part of the fourth World Youth Orchestra Festival in Russia.
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The program featured classic European works alongside Vietnamese music, receiving enthusiastic applause from a large audience of Russian and international spectators. This marks Vietnam's first participation in the World Youth Orchestra Festival, upon the invitation of People's Artist Yuri Bashmet, the festival's initiator and Artistic Director.
The Young Chamber Orchestra from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory consists of 26 members, primarily students from the Conservatory, along with some young artists studying and working in Russia. The orchestra was conducted by Nguyen Phu Son, a young conductor trained in Germany, who collaborates with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles.
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| The performance stage at the World Youth Orchestra Festival in Russia. |
From Classical Music to Vietnamese Melodies
At the festival, young Vietnamese artists presented a program combining classic European music with compositions and melodies rich in Vietnamese identity.
The program included Sonata No. 1 in G Major for string orchestra by Rossini, Vivaldi's Winter Concerto from The Four Seasons, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23, and Handel's Concerto for Harp and String Orchestra.
Vietnamese music was showcased through the piece Returning to the Motherland for string orchestra and harp by composer Nguyen Van Thuong. Additionally, the orchestra performed two folk songs, Di cay and Trong com, arranged for chamber music as a gift to the audience.
Soloists included Nguyen Hieu Doanh (violin), Ta Quang Vu (piano), and Nguyen Dang Bao Tram (harp). Soprano Pham Phuong Khanh also performed the medley Russia My Homeland and Vietnam My Homeland by composer Do Nhuan, in both Russian and Vietnamese.
The concert took place under quite cold and windy conditions at an outdoor stage. However, the weather challenges did not diminish the program's appeal. From the very first performances, the young Vietnamese artists received positive responses from the audience.
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| Pianist Ta Quang Vu. |
Pianist Ta Quang Vu shared that before the performance, the cold and strong winds made him somewhat anxious. However, as the first notes played, his focus on the music overcame any discomfort. He was moved by the applause and cries of “Bravo!” from the Russian audience, considering it a memorable moment in his artistic journey.
Harpist Nguyen Dang Bao Tram also felt that performing on an outdoor stage in such special weather conditions created an unforgettable experience. For her, playing beloved melodies and directly feeling the audience's attention and encouragement was one of the trip's most memorable moments.
Notably, the program's conclusion received a strong response. The audience stood up, moved toward the stage, and gave prolonged applause to the artists. According to violinist Tri Toan, a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory, many audience members lingered for about 15 minutes after the program ended to express their appreciation and gratitude to the artists.
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| Violinist Nguyen Hieu Doanh, the youngest member of the group. |
One of the highlights of the evening was the performance by violinist Nguyen Hieu Doanh, the youngest member of the orchestra. At just 15 years old, this young artist demonstrated skill and technique, capturing the audience's attention. According to lecturer Tri Toan, this experience is significant for the artistic development of a young talent.
Cultural exchange through young Artists
Dr. People's Artist Do Quoc Hung, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and Head of the Vietnamese delegation, described the performance in Moscow as a special highlight of their participation in the festival. He noted that after each piece, the audience offered prolonged applause and cries of “Bravo!” After the final performance, a large number of spectators, including the Vietnamese community in Russia, approached the stage to congratulate the artists.
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| Dr. People's Artist Do Quoc Hung, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. |
According to Dr. People's Artist Do Quoc Hung, the affection from the Russian audience towards the young Vietnamese artists not only reflects a love for music but also shows a fondness for Vietnam and its people. The moment when the audience chanted “Vietnam champion” after the program left a lasting impression on the delegation members.
Violinist Nguyen Hieu Doanh also expressed surprise at the large number of Moscow audience members who stayed after the concert. According to the young artist, the program's success stemmed from the orchestra's thorough preparation and the longstanding affection the Russian people have for Vietnam.
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| The orchestra conducted by Nguyen Phu Son, a young artist trained in Germany, currently collaborating with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles. |
The festival participation was not only an opportunity for young artists from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory to showcase their expertise on an international stage but also opened a space for cultural exchange between Vietnam and Russia through music.
Placing classic European works alongside Vietnamese compositions and folk tunes allowed the program to fit the international artistic space while creating a unique mark for the Vietnamese delegation.
From August 21-23, the fourth World Youth Orchestra Festival took place under the patronage of the Moscow City Hall and the Moscow Department of Culture. Following the Zaryadye Park performance, the Young Chamber Orchestra from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory continued to perform in Sochi on the evening of August 24 before returning to Vietnam.
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| Soprano Pham Phuong Khanh. |
The tour is also part of the activities leading up to the 70th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music in November 2026.
According to Dr. People's Artist Do Quoc Hung, upon returning, the Conservatory plans to reconstruct the program to introduce it to the public in Ho Chi Minh City, while adding some pieces, artists, and singers to develop it into a complete concert lasting about 90 minutes.
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| Audience enjoying the performance by Vietnamese artists at the World Youth Orchestra Festival in Russia. |
The appearance of young Vietnamese artists on the international stage, performing both classical music and melodies with national identity, contributes to promoting Vietnamese culture in a natural and persuasive way. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for the young generation of artists to gain experience, assert their capabilities, and continue connecting with the international music scene.
