Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji joined by musicians from Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, singers from Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, and Catholic Youth Choir on December 19 at 8pm.

For centuries, Christmas has been celebrated in Germany and Europe as a family feast, and a Christmas Concert is a cultural event that takes place in every German town during December and around Christmas time. 

For the coming festive season, the Goethe-Institut Hanoi will hold a Christmas concert at 8pm on December 19 at Cua Bac Church, 56 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.

Under the direction of Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji, the concert is a cooperative effort between musicians from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, singers from the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet, and the Catholic Youth Choir.

The concert promises to bring a traditional Christian atmosphere to Vietnam’s capital. Compositions to be performed are based on the groundbreaking work of Bach. All of the music program makes use of the church as a space where sounds can travel and develop, creating a powerful and elevating atmosphere and making the concert an extraordinary musical event.

Mozart’s Tantum ergo will be the first piece performed, followed by two very special pieces from the Baroque period. The Passacaglia was originally a dance form as well as a musical variation in the typical Baroque Dreimetrum. Meanwhile, the second Baroque piece, the Concerto in D-minor by Bach, is a special choice for the atmospheric evening.

A highlight of the concert will be the Krönungsmesse (Coronation Mass) by Mozart. The cheerful serenity that is representative for many of the composer’s works can be perceived from the very first notes.

The contemplative and ceremonious evening will also feature solos by Dao Mai Anh and Le Hoang Lan and chants by soprano To Loan, alto Phuong Thao, tenor Dinh Chuc, and baritone Vu Manh Dung.

The Goethe-Institut Hanoi will also call for charitable donations for the Caritas of the parish to help the poor, with each person attending to donate at least VND100,000.

VN Economic Times