Musical Traditions of Vietnam, December 1992

Performed by Tran Quang Hai & Bach Yen on December 13, 1992 at Harris Theater, George Mason University. This event was organized by VCSMW and co-sponsored by George Mason University's Center for the Arts.

Dr. Tran Quang Hai began his career as an Ethnomusicologist at the Musee National des Arts et Traditions Populaires (1968-1987) and at the Musee de l'Homme in Paris, and was Professor at the Centre of Studies for Oriental Music in Paris (1970-1975). An author of many articles on Asian music, Dr. Tran has also held more than 2000 concerts in 45 countries around the world since 1966. His accomplishments include many prestigious awards, among those are the Grand Prize of Academy Charles Cros (Paris, 1983) and the Medaille d'Or de le Musique by Academie Culturelle Asiatique (Paris, 1986). Dr. Tran is married to the former Ms. Quach Bach Yen.

Ms. Bach Yen started her singing career at a very early age and gained her prominence since 1958. She has appeared with numerous people including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Liberace, and in the Ed Sullivan Show in the United States repeatedly. She also sang in the film The Green Berets (starring John Wayne).

      PROGRAM

Part I

1.      Worksong from North Vietnam                             (Ho sang song hai cui)
2.      Worksong from South Vietnam                            (Ho Dong Thap)
3.      Worksong from Central Vietnam                          (Ho hui)
4.      Jew's Harp                                                         (Dan Moi)
5.      Lullaby from North Vietnam                                 (Hat ru mien Bac)

6.      Lullaby from Central Vietnam                               (Ru con mien Trung)
7.      Solo of two-stringed fiddle                                   (Doc tau Dan Co)
8.      Folksong from North Vietnam                              (Coi Giau)
9.      Solo of Spoons                                                  (Doc tau Dan Muong)
10.     Solo of 16-stringed zither                                    (Doc tay Dan Tranh)
11.     Folksong from North Vietnam                              (Hai Hoa)

Part II

12.     Solo of the monochord                                       (Doc tau Dan Doc Huyen)
13.     Declaiming poetry                                              (Ngam tho)
14.     Solo of 16-stringed zither                                    (Doc tay Dan Tranh)
15.     Folksong from Central Vietnam                           (Ly con sao Trung)
16.     Lullaby from South Vietnam                                (Au o vi dau)
17.     Diphonic singing                                                (Hat dong song thanh)
18.     Folksong from South Vietnam                             (Ly ngua o)