UK orchestra to play at Hà Nội Opera House

Master of the keys: Pianist Lưu Hồng Quang will perform at the Toyota Classics concert for the second time. Photo from the artist’s facebook page

The one-night show, under the baton of conductor Anthony Weeden, will feature South African violinist David Juritz and Vietnamese pianist Lưu Hồng Quang. The repertoire will include ten pieces by popular composers of the late 18th and early 19th century such as Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Haydn.

"Over the last 30 years, the RPCO has built up an international reputation in its own right, performing classical, light classical and popular music all over the world," said British ambassador Giles Lever at a press conference held recently.

"It is an amazing opportunity to welcome and enjoy internationally renowned musicians from the UK in Hà Nội".

Founded in 1987 the RPCO has performed at major venues in the UK and across the world, from China to North and South America. Its uniqueness lies in its diverse repertoire and a music library spanning many genres, from classical to Broadway.

The concert will be led by Weeden, who is a conductor and composer with a desire to step beyond musical boundaries, and is renowned for his award-winning work in film and television.

Weeden has appeared with world-class orchestras such as the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony and the Metropole Orchestra.

The RPCO will play Beethoven’s Romance for Violin & Orchestra with Juritz at the concert. The violinist was born in Cape Town, South Africa and studied at the Royal College of Music in London. During his studies he won major prizes for violin including the college’s highest award, the Tagore Gold Medal.

Juritz is one of the most versatile violinists currently working in the UK, dividing his time between solo performances, directing, chamber music, and working as guest leader with many of Britain’s finest orchestras.

In 2007, he took a five-month sabbatical to busk around the world on a 60,000 mile journey through 50 cities in 24 countries on six continents. He paid for the entire journey by playing Bach on the streets. He used the trip to launch Musequality, a charity supporting music education projects for disadvantaged children in developing countries.

"Please come and support us and we are looking forward to seeing you at the concert," Juritz said in a video clip sent to the press conference.

The concert will also be the return of Vietnamese pianist Quang, who has won many awards including a special prize at the Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition in Japan, third prize at the Val Tidone International Music Competition in Italy and first prize at the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition in Brisbane, Australia.

"It is a real honour to be invited to perform at the Toyota classics concert series for the second time. I have gotten great pleasure and feeling from preparing and playing Mozart’s piece," Quang said in a video clip.

This is the 20th Toyota Classics concert to be held in Việt Nam and also marks the 28th anniversary of the concert series in Asia-Pacific.

"Toyota Classics has been organised annually to bring world-class classical music closer to music lovers in Việt Nam. The concert series also creates opportunities for talented Vietnamese singers to perform with international orchestras," said Đỗ Thu Hoàng, deputy president of Toyota Motors Vietnam.

This year, Toyota Classics 2017 toured six ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Việt Nam.

Since the inception of Toyota Classics in 1990, it has held sold-out concerts across Asia. The charity concerts help promote classical music in the region in support of local communities. This is in line with Toyota’s commitment to helping the countries achieve sustainable development. To date, Toyota Classics has raised more than US$9.03 million to benefit charities across Asia.

In Việt Nam, since 2009, all ticket proceeds have been used for the “Toyota Scholarship for Vietnam Young Music Talents” programme, with 730 scholarships granted so far.

Tickets are on sale now at the Hà Nội Opera House.