Famed fiddler returns to Hanoi

Violin virtuoso Sarah Chang will return to Vietnam on April 12 to perform with local musicians.
Violin virtuoso Sarah Chang will return to Vietnam on April 12 to perform with local musicians.

Chang will perform Vivaldi's The Four Seasons which she has performed many times before.

"This is a very special piece which inspires me whenever I perform it.This time I'll be able to share the experience with Vietnamesemusicians," she said at a press conference held in Hanoi on April10.

"I chose this piece for the performance in Hanoibecause it is one of the most popular classical works. It is not toolong but it is very technical," she said.

Her recording ofthe piece in 2007 attracted international acclaim, with BBC MusicMagazine stating: "She has never made a finer recording."

Chang will be joined by 19 musicians from the Vietnam National Academyof Music, and she has been impressed by her colleagues in practice.

"They are very talented musicians. It is a very hard piece but they are so enthusiastic," said Chang.

Chang is recognised as one of the world's great violinists. She startedto study the violin with her father at the age of four. Since her debutwith the New York Philharmonic at the age of eight, she has performedwith the greatest orchestras and conductors.

Performing inthe Hennessy Concert Series for the second time is exceptional becauseChang has never repeated performances at the same event. "The mainreason is that I wanted to come back to Vietnam - a beautiful andfriendly country. I love the buildings in Hanoi City and I lovethe food here," Chang said.

Chang recalls her lastperformance in the Hennessy Concert in 2010 when it rained heavily. Shewas afraid that people would not come to see the show due to the badweather, but she was really moved when she saw the packed theatre andexpressed her desire to the concert organisers to come back.

The Hennessy Concert Series has been held in Vietnam since 1996.Each year the series has produced sophisticated and diverse programmesshowcasing the most sought-after artists of modern time.

The concert will kick off at 8pm at Hanoi Opera House. The concert willbe broadcast live on a large screen outside the theatre.-VNA

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