Composer Van Dung. (Photo courtesy of Hanoi Music Association)
Hanoi (VNA) – Composer Van Dung, former head of the music department of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), passed away on August 8, at the age of 86. During his music career, Van Dung, also former Chairman of the Hanoi Music Association, made great contributions to Vietnamese music with many well-known revolutionary songs.
Musician Lan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Music Association, said Van Dung was a talented and virtuous person.
His compositions bring new features, Cuong said, adding that his lyrics are beautiful and have a good structure.
“He is always cheerful and smiling with everyone. His passing is a great loss to the country's art world."
The composer was born on January 15, 1936, in Hanoi. After graduating as a journalism major and initially working in VOV’s Industry Department.
Dung came to music by chance when he was asked to work as a music editor by composer Cam Phong.
Dung travelled to different parts of Vietnam seeking inspiration for his music. The fact-finding tour to Khe Sanh battlefield and Truong Son Trail from 1965 to 1971 motivated him to write some songs about young soldiers during the war. Songs from the era include “Tien ve Khe Sanh” (Moving towards Khe Sanh), “Duong Truong Son xe anh qua” (My truck driving on Truong Son Trail) and “Bai ca Duong 9 chien thang” (The victory song of Road 9). These works are still popular now.
During the resistance war, Dung’s music reflected the hardships, struggle, and sacrifice of the Vietnamese people. His songs boosted people’s morale and inspired hope for the victory of Vietnam’s revolution. His music also evokes a great love for the homeland.
“Years of the resistance war full of hardships has become a part of life, an obsession with sacrifice and loss. This is reflected in the melodies of my songs,” Dung once said.
The song “Giai phong quan ta di” (Liberation Army on the March) was an early composition that made Van Dung’s name in music. The song depicts the contribution of Vietnam’s people and army during the anti-US war.
He also composed songs about different sectors and regions including “Vinh quang cong nhan Vietnam “(Glory of Vietnamese workers),” Tro ve Bim Son” (Returning to Bim Son), and “Vi mot hanh tinh xanh” (For a green planet).
However, the song that left a deep impression on his audience is "Nhung bong hoa trong vuon Bac” (Flowers in Uncle Ho's Garden.)
Talking about the motivation for his writing, Dung said: “One evening in 1977, I took out a book to read as usual, but I couldn't read the words, I just 'heard' the music. And the lyrical melodies of 'Flowers in Uncle's Garden' kept pouring out.
“Honestly, I can't explain this strange thing,” he added.
The song was written in just one hour. It is attributed to the musician's deep affection for President Ho Chi Minh.
Van Dung’s contribution to music was acknowledged by the State with a Labour Medal, second class and a State Award for Literature and Arts in 2001.
Composer Van Dung receives the love and respect of his colleagues and audience. (Photo courtesy of Hanoi Music Association)
Musician Pham Tuyen, former Head of VOV’s Music Department, said that it’s the perspective of a journalist who always closely follows the events of the country. He conveys that into song and that creates the identity of musician Van Dung.
Composer Cat Van shared the same feeling.
"It is the erudition of a journalist who reads a lot, travels a lot, understands a lot, has wide relationships, which has given the musician a certain amount of information and emotions to write articles and compose music,” Van said.
For poet Hong Thanh Quang, his impression of musician Van Dung is that he was a talented and respectable musician who made significant contributions to the development of revolutionary art.
Composer Mai Van Lang, head of VOV’s folk songs and music section said he was very sad when he heard the news of the veteran musician's death.
"For us, he is an exemplary model, a person who constantly learns and cultivates musical knowledge. He is also willing to share experiences with young colleagues,” he said./.
