 |
|
Musician Nguyen Gia Thien (standing) instructs other musicians of Dao Tan Tuong Theatre. Photo H.T |
Graduating from Vietnam School of Stage Arts in 1976, Nguyen Gia Thien moved to work at Nghia Binh Tuong (classical drama) Theatre. His property is only the enthusiasm for music of Tuong.
From instrumentalist to musician
As soon as working at Nghia Binh Tuong Theatre (now called Dao Tan Tuong Theatre), Gia Thien was assigned as head of the music group.
Learning experiences from the Theatre’s famous instrumentalists, he could master and well perform many kinds of musical instruments. Thien then continued studying at the University of Theatre and Cinema from 1986-1991.
Thanks to his experience and knowledge of music of Tuong, Thien’s works have played an important role in making many plays more successful, including Coi nguon (origin), Tay Son tu nghia (heroes gather in Tay Son), and Bui Thi Xuan hoi ket cuoc (Bui Thi Xuan and her ending).
He has played as a conductor in 50 plays performed by the theatre’s artists so far. Also, Thien composed many pieces of music for 20 plays.
“The music of Tuong only offer a general view of characters in plays. Composer’s task is to add more new features, describing characters in detail,” Thien said. “I always compose pieces of music in a way that the new and traditional features are mixed in harmony.”
Thien’s talent has been proved when he successfully composed works praising Binh Dinh’s landscape and people.
His work “Ben nuoc song Con” (the wharf by the Con River), describing a peaceful view by the river, won the Vietnam Musicians’ Association’s third prize in 2005.
Another work entitled “Chieu lang que” (An afternoon in the countryside) is a combination of different kinds of instruments. It also won a Consolation prize last year.
Thien also used folk-song melodies in his most-wanted works, including Thi Nai nhip cau tuong lai (Thi Nai- bridge for the future) and Truoc hon Vong Phu (In front of Vong Phu (waiting for husband) mountain.
Devoting his life to traditional music
Thien won the Dao Tan-Xuan Dieu prize B with the work “Cac lan dieu hat tuong” (melodies of Tuong), introducing music of Tuong on TV. His work named “music of Tuong” also won the Vietnam Theatrical Artists’ Association’s prize C. This has been the first study on main instruments in Tuong, published last year.
He was invited to perform in the series of “Duyen Dang Viet Nam” (Vietnam’s Charms) No 16 and 17. Thien also participated in the art performances in Tay Son-Binh Dinh Festival 2008 and the 220th anniversary of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory.
Thien is now assigned as the vice manager of Dao Tan Tuong Theatre.
“I always try to devote all time to traditional music as well as Tuong art,” he said. “I’m going to study the combination of music of Tuong and modern music to compose songs for children.”
| 
