Tchaikovsky's 5th comes to HCM City

HCM City (VNA) – Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony will be performed at a concert at the HCM City Opera House on December 9 by the HBSO Symphony Orchestra and three guest artists from the Goyang Philharmonic Orchestra of the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Under the direction of internationally famed maestro An Hyun-sung, the concert will feature violinist Tran Huu Quoc who has recently returned from RoK.

The Vietnamese violinist has performed in concerts around the world, including Russia, England, the Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and RoK.

He has also held the post of concertmaster for the Seoul National Symphony Orchestra, Prime Philharmonic Orchestra and Seoul Sinfonietta Orchestra.

At the concert, RoK flautist Ban Jin-a will showcase her talents in the Flute Concerto by German composer Carl Reinecke.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's most performed works include his 4th, 5th and 6th symphonies, the Violin Concerto in D major, piano concertos, variations on a rococo theme for cello and orchestra, and music for the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty ballets.

Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony was completed in 1888. The work was created during a political and social crisis in Russia, which led the composer to think about philosophical ideas and morality. The symphony faced criticism when it premiered.

However, it became incredibly popular during WWII. The ideas of heroism, fighting spirit, aspects about destiny, the light, the good and the evil were then recognised.

In the historic Leningrad battle, on the night of October 20, 1941, Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony was performed at the Philharmonic Hall in Leningrad and broadcast live to London with the hope of boosting the people's morale.

Bombs started to fall near the theatre during the second movement, yet the symphony was performed to the very last note. Ever since, it has become one of the most performed symphonies in history.

Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony will be performed during the second half of the concert at the Opera House. Tickets, priced at 550,000 VND, 400,000 VND, 350,000 VND, 200,000 VND, and 80,000 VND for students, are available at the venue.-VNA