NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO) visits the U.S. for the first time, making premiere appearances at Carnegie Hall (October 23) and Boston Symphony Hall (October 24). Led by Tetsuji Honna, the VNSO performs both classical masterpieces and works inspired by the cultural heritage of Vietnam in this historic occasion.
The VNSO was founded in 1959 prior to the country’s unification. The orchestra has continually developed, overcoming the nation’s social and financial struggles after the Vietnam War. The VNSO First Harmony Tour to the USA 2011, presented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and VNSO, has been a long-cherished wish for the orchestra and for the country.
The program includes Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, known as the score of Oliver Stone’s anti-war film “Platoon.” It has also been performed at funerals of President Franklin Roosevelt and Princess Grace of Monaco, and the memorial ceremonies for the victims of the September 11th. In the same spirit, the VNSO commemorates its performance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11th, 2011.
The conductor Mr. Honna, a native of Japan, has won many prizes including the first prize and Bartok prize at Budapest International Conducting Competition in 1992. He has been committed to the VNSO for ten years and recently been awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award. The award-winning violinist Le Hoai Nam is featured in the violin concerto Thang Long composed by a legendary Vietnamese composer Dam Linh.
This concert is also to reciprocate New York Philharmonic’s first-ever visit to Hanoi during its 2009 Asian Horizons tour. The concerts conducted by maestro Alan Gilbert took place at the VNSO’s home, Hanoi Opera House.
The ultimate goal of the VNSO First Harmony Tour to the USA 2011 is to communicate and connect with other cultures and people, and express Vietnam’s wishes for peace of the world through music.
[Fukushima, Japan & VNSO]
One notable supporter of this concert tour is a group of the people from Fukushima, Mr. Honna’s hometown, which donated approximately $60,000 in January. The VNSO and Mr. Honna questioned whether it is appropriate to use their money after the earthquake and tsunami in March. The VNSO held a charity concert titled “Be Strong Japan” in April in Hanoi, and is planning charity concerts in Fukushima in the coming years. The donation boxes will be placed at Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall to benefit the musical activities of children in Fukushima to repay their selfless kindness.
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New York |
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Date: |
Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 2:00PM |
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Venue: |
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall |
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Tickets: |
$60/ $40/ $25 |
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To Order: |
Box Office, 212-247-7800/ www.carnegiehall.org |
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Boston |
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Date: |
Monday, October 24, 2011 at 8:00PM |
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Venue: |
Boston Symphony Hall |
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Tickets: |
$55/ $35/ $25 |
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To Order: |
Box Office, 888-266-1200/ www.bostonsymphonyhall.org |
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For more information: |
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