London Symphony Orchestra opens concert in Hanoi with "Marching Song"

(Dan Tri) - The London Symphony Orchestra opened two nights of performances in Hanoi with the song "Marching Song", under the baton of conductor Sir Antonio Pappano.

On the morning of October 10, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) held a press conference, announcing its return to Hanoi with two concert nights , Vietnam Airlines Classic - Hanoi Concert 2025 (VACC 2025).

The program was held on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of the Capital Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2025), contributing to bringing to the capital's audience an artistic space, where classical music blends with the festive atmosphere and national pride.

The London Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, promises to bring emotional symphony nights (Photo: Organizers).

Notably, this is the first time the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has performed in Vietnam under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano, Music Director of the LSO, one of the most influential names in contemporary symphonic life. This is also the first time he has come to Vietnam, marking a memorable milestone for classical music lovers in the country.

According to the Organizing Committee, the program opened with the song Tien Quan Ca by musician Van Cao. The familiar national anthem, through the arrangement of musician Luu Quang Minh specifically for the symphony orchestra, took on a new look but still retained its inherent sacred and solemn spirit.

After the opening, the audience enjoyed two famous works: Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10 .

Beethoven's music has a majestic sound, expressing the indomitable will and belief of human beings, while Shostakovich leads listeners into a deep inner world, filled with philosophy and the struggles of the 20th century.

The two works seem to be opposite but complement each other, creating a meaningful dialogue between two periods of classical and modern music.

Sharing at the press conference, conductor Sir Antonio Pappano said he was especially moved to perform Tien Quan Ca with the London Symphony Orchestra.

According to him, opening the program with this song not only shows respect for the host country and the Vietnamese audience, but also carries a profound meaning about the fighting spirit and aspiration to rise up, which is closely related to the general theme of this year's program.

At the event, conductor Sir Antonio Pappano expressed his emotion when performing “Tien Quan Ca” with the London Symphony Orchestra, honoring the spirit of solidarity and resilience of the Vietnamese people (Photo: Organizing Committee).

The conductor affirmed that it was that spirit that made him feel attached to the Vietnamese audience even though it was his first time here.

“Music transcends borders and languages, it is a bridge connecting people. We are here not only to perform, but to share, to help Vietnamese audiences feel the power of music, which can touch hearts and make people believe in something better,” said Sir Antonio Pappano.

Sharing at the event, musician Nguyen Quoc Trung, the program's music director, said: "When the Marching Song resounded in the auditorium, it was not only an opening ceremony but also a moment when music became a bridge between cultures.

With the London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Antonio Pappano, Vietnamese music is not only a national identity, but also part of a global story, where pride and human emotion blend together.”

Ms. Kathryn McDowell expressed her happiness when returning to Hanoi with the London Symphony Orchestra, which she considers her second home (Photo: Organizing Committee).

From the perspective of international artists, Hanoi also left a special impression. Ms. Kathryn McDowell, Executive Director of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), emotionally shared: “Hanoi is one of the cities we always want to return to. The warm welcome from the Vietnamese audience made the London Symphony Orchestra artists feel like returning to their second home.

Each song we perform carries its own story, but at the same time it is an opportunity to listen to the story of your country. That is the spirit of music, of dialogue, sharing and respect.”

The VACC 2025 concert will take place on the evenings of October 10 and 11 at the Hoan Kiem Theater (Hanoi). The performance on October 11 will be broadcast live at the Martyrs Monument and Hoan Kiem Lake walking street.

Founded in 1904, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is one of the UK's oldest and most prestigious musical icons.

From the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics to famous music halls such as Carnegie Hall (New York) or Musikverein (Vienna), LSO always leaves a deep impression.

The orchestra also left its mark in popular culture through legendary movie soundtracks such as: Star Wars, Harry Potter , Indiana Jones ...

Sir Antonio Pappano, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) since 2024, is highly regarded by experts for his ability to combine strict discipline with liberal emotion.

He had a long association with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, regularly collaborating with the world's leading orchestras.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/dan-nhac-giao-huong-london-mo-man-hoa-nhac-tai-ha-noi-voi-tien-quan-ca-20251010155520781.htm