A concert of chamber music will take place at Da Nang’s Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre from 8.00pm to 9.30pm on Monday, 11 August.  This is the first event of its kind for the city and it will be broadcast live on Da Nang Radio and Television.

The concert will involve performances by 3 world-renowned artistes.  Pianist Nguyen Bich Tra has risen to fame in the UK and has been honoured by the Royal Academy of Music for her significant contributions to musical development.  Also performing are British cellist Zoë Martlew, who was the judge of an annual musical talent contest on the BBC, and Atle Sponberg, one of the leading violinists in Norway, who is now the Artistic Director of the Gjøvik Sinfonietta professional orchestra and concertmaster of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra.

(Left to right) Zoë Martlew, Nguyen Bich Tra and Atle Sponberg

The evening concert will feature fascinating pieces performed by these three artistes.  They are Piano Trio in A minor, composed by the late French composer Maurice Ravel in 1914, Duo for violin and cello released by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály in 1914, and Piano Trio No 2 in E minor for violin, cello and piano.  In addition, the audience will be treated to Salat Babilya and Tango Ensky performances by cellist Zoë Martlew.

All 3 artistes have just been featured at the Saigon Chamber Music 2014 Festival, which was held from 2 to 8 August at the Ho Chi Minh City’s Conservatory of Music.  This was the first festival of chamber music ever to be held in Viet Nam and it is now expected to become an annual event.  It will provide a valuable opportunity for young, talented musicians to perform in chamber music concerts with piano and stringed instruments.

In addition, a workshop entitled “Learning about Chamber Music Playing Skills” will be held at the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre from 9.30am to 11.00am on 12 August.  Participants will be introduced to chamber music masterpieces and international composers over the historical periods, as well as to musical trends in the 20^th century.