KVT – Australia & Vietnam Gala Concert

KVT Down Under At Nha Hat Lon

Probably the great treat of Friday’s Gala concert at Nha Hat Lon was seeing talented Australian Nguyen Van Anh play the piano. She’s a considerable talent and although her playing on Friday was a trifle florid that was probably due to the occasion rather than her intent. I really appreciated her playing the modern composition (was it by Graham Kieran Harvey?) and would love to hear her in concert with one of her chamber music ensembles. This video indicates her verve and ability. She accompanied both pop singers on the program with great flair. Perhaps one day the Aussies will let us have just her on the stage in Hanoi for a solo recital – or better still – a recital of modern music with a vibrant chamber music ensemble.

Van-Anh has previously accompanied ‘pop idol’ Thanh Bui in concert and they seem to be simpatico.

Thanh Bui, another young Australian, is the modern mould of an ‘Idol’ singer. High tenor voice that can reach all the best notes and sound extra good under amplification. He’s in his late twenties and you can imagine that once he has finished making a name for himself on the teeny bopper and pop/rock circuit he’ll use that gorgeous voice in sophisticated bluesy jazz mode. He belted out a laudable rendition of Australian sexagenarian, John Farnham’s song ‘You’re the Voice’ which Farnham used to successfully re-kickstart his fading career in early middle age.

Young Vietnamese pianist Luu Hong Quang is one those hopefuls who may grace an international concert stage or two in the future. I’ve heard him play a couple of times before and I am really looking forward to seeing him play a concerto with a professional orchestra as he reaches his peak. Catch this You Tube video below for a sample of what this young guy can get up to. Friday’s playing was a trifle florid but that, again, was due to the occasion rather than real ability.

As it’s almost their National Day the Aussies gave us a really good sample of what a couple of talented Viet Kieu are able to do and how a good dose of teaching at a renowned Uc Conservatory can enable a talented Vietnamese to reach his musical goals.

Then to wind it all up with a Vietnamese flair and, I guess, in homage to the host country, singer My Linh gave us two songs in her best diva cum Celine Dion manner that left us all wanting more. Once again talented Van Anh showed her own style.

I never realized before that Nguyen is now the second most populous name in the Melbourne telephone directory….beaten only by Smith!