Giving his autograph to audiences 

Music jewels

Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory was founded in 1866, and it is among the leading conservatories in Russia as well as in the world. In October 2023, composer Le Tu Minh was invited to International Symphony Festival in the Republic of Adygea (Russia.) To his surprise, his romance “Hồi sinh” (“Revival”) was translated into Russian and was honored to be the song that opened the festival.

After the festival, Rashid Kalimullin, Chairman of Russian Musicians Association, met Le Tu Minh and invited him to take part in the program “Musicians and their Works” at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. “I’ve listened to your music, and I’d like it to be played at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory,” suggested he.

 Le Tu Minh’s two romances “Revival” and “Coming back to Mother” were sung by Anna Aglatova

Encouraged by many Vietnamese friends and musicians, Le Tu Minh accepted the invitation. The committee, known to be very strict, at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory chose his three works to be presented in the series “Russian and Vietnamese Music Jewels” (4th -10th May, 2024). The performance consisted of 4 works by Rashid Kalimullin of Russia and 3 works by Le Tu Minh of Vietnam, “Revival,” “Coming back to Mother” and “Oh, Vam Co River" for cellos and orchestra.

Vietnamese music right in Moscow

In part I of the program, the outstanding singer Anna Aglatova, considered one of the best sopranos of the world, sang the two romances “Revival” and “Coming back to Mother” by Le Tu Minh.

Anna Aglatova excellently performed the romance "Revival,” which allows audiences to envisage the awakening of nature after many deadly natural disasters with sunlight on mountains, trees and plants giving new buds of living, and blooming flowers in the sun of rebirth… “Revival" impressed audiences with exquisite music, bringing to the listeners lots of hope. Anna Aglatova’s emotional voice and the orchestra brought hope from the songs to the hearts of thousands of audiences.

In the same way, the romance “Coming back to Mother” had a very special and profound melody. It is the love of the child to his mother and for his motherland. “Oh Vam Co River” is for cellos and filled with melodious bright sounds. The song was played by conductor Boris Lifanovsky himself from Bolshoi Theatre with the orchestra.

 Le Tu Minh, Rashid Kalimullin, Chairman of Russian Musicians Association, and conductor Airat Kashaev (from left)

After the performance, composer Rashid Kalimullin invited Le Minh Tu on stage, standing between him and conductor Airat Kashaev to express their thanks to the audience.

“This performance contributes to building up the solidarity between Russia and Vietnam as well as to the music of the world. Significantly this takes place on a very important occasion, the 70th Celebration of Dien Bien Phu Victory and the 79th Celebration of the Victory over German fascism.

“I’m so happy. I haven’t spoken Russian for 35 years now; I have thus forgotten a lot, but Russia is always here in my heart,” said Le Minh Tu with his hand on his breast.

Many audiences, both Russian and Vietnamese, stayed after the performance to ask for his autograph. “Le Tu Minh’s melodies are very beautiful. I’m happy to bring the positivity of his music to the community,” said conductor Airat Kashaev.

 The performance at the Auditorium

“Vietnamese music played at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory helps change the image of Vietnam in Russia. We look forward to more and more Vietnamese cultural activities like this,” said entrepreneur Do Xuan Hoang with lots of emotion. 

“This is not only Le Tu Minh’s pride but also the pride of the country,” said Dang Minh Khoi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to Russia at the 70th Celebration of Dien Bien Phu Victory held at the Embassy. 

Born in Kim Long, Hue City, Le Tu Minh is an entrepreneur well known for his social activities all across the country. But he is also a poet and composer. He has translated more than 40 Russian songs into Vietnamese and composed many songs that won a number of music awards in the country. He has been a member of Thua Thien Hue Music Association and Vietnam Musicians Association. It is our pride to have music by a native of Hue to be played for the first time at Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia.

Story and photos: Ha Nguyen