[Vnbiz] [MUSIC] Pham Duy - Ngay Tro Ve

[Tran Dinh Hoanh]

Dear CACC,



I have just finished watching DVD Pham Duy Ngay Tro Ve.



This is a live recording of Pham Duy performance in April 06 in Saigon.  For
some of you who don't know who Pham Duy is, he is the most prolific music
writer of Vietnam.  His music, during a span of 60 years, has touched almost
every aspect of the Vietnamese life, from love to life and death, from city
to the countryside, from mothers to lovers to children, from the old to the
young, with so many variations in musical styles.



His music was banned by the Vietnamese government until this year.  In
April, he had a live performance in Saigon.  Thus, Pham Duy - Homecoming.



You won't fully know Vietnamese modern music until you know Pham Duy's
music.



I am very impressed with the performance.  Here was the man in his 80's,
coming home from overseas, conducting his program, with very young
performers inside Vietnam, most of who probably didn't know much about him
before.   A real generational bridge, a real look toward the future.  Except
My Linh, Quang Dung and Quang Linh, other singers were less known, but all
of them did a very impressive job, especially Duc Tuan.  I am glad I've got
a chance to know some new voices.  Duy Quang (Pham Duy's son) and Elvis
Phuong also performed.  Elvis Phuong sounded as good as ever.



The music arrangements were very good, and the band and the choir did a
superb job.  The stage was simple but well organized and very esthetic.



The person that impresses me most is Pham Duy.  He looked and sounded calm,
gentle and solid.  This is his best appearance ever.  I have always had this
uneasiness about Pham Duy.  Even though many of his songs have depth, every
time I saw or heard him talk, since the early 70s, I always had the feeling
that he was still on the surface and not very solid.  During the last three
decades overseas, especially when he went along with the gung-ho political
theme, I always felt something superficial about him.



But now that he has come home and has come back to his audience, he shows
the tranquility that I have never seen in him before.  Either he has become
tranquil and he comes home, or after coming home he has become tranquil, I
don't know.  But I am sure that homecoming has a lot to do with his state of
mind.  Amazing.



This DVD is more than just a good musical performance. It is the great
evidence of the healing power of coming home and being with your
brothers/sisters.  And a due recognition of a musical giant.



Have a great day!



Hoanh


-- 
Tran Dinh Hoanh, LLB, JD
Attorney of Law
Washington DC
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