A Journey Through Aesthetic Realms: A Benefit Concert of Celestial Reminiscence, Part 17 of 18

Next, we feature Nam Phương, (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa’s other daughter, performing on the “đàn bầu” (monochord). This unique Aulacese (Vietnamese) instrument dates back to the 7th century. A monochord instrument, the one string is attached to an end stick, which can be moved back and forth with the left hand, thus changing the tension like a rubber band being stretched, thereby changing the pitch. An extremely difficult instrument to master; a dull muted sound, “bak,” is produced if the finger is not placed exactly in the right place. Accompanied by Minh Phương, playing the moon lute, Nam Phương will perform a selection of classical Aulacese (Vietnamese) music entitled, “Văn Thiên Tường,” from South Âu Lạc (Vietnam).

The “đàn T’rưng,” a bamboo xylophone, is made and used by the Bahnar people who also inhabit the central mountains of Âu Lạc (Vietnam). Originally, the instrument was made with only five hollow bamboo sticks, held at one end by one person with the other end being held and played by another person. (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa has extended the number and arrangement of the bars to produce the notes of the Western chromatic scale and the Japanese soft scale. It has taken Nghĩa over five years to construct the base “đàn T’rưng” (bamboo xylophone), three months alone in tuning the instrument’s individual notes. Nghĩa’s son - Hòa, will accompany his sisters on this instrument designed and built by his father. Đoan Trang and Nam Phương will now play “Come Back to Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands),” a traditional Bahnar folk tune.

The traditional bamboo flute has six equally spaced holes covered by the fingers. (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa has added five additional holes in order to play our Western scales. Nghĩa will now be accompanied by Catherine Dubas on the piano as we listen to a beautiful rendition of “Bach Siciliano.”

We do hope you’ve enjoyed this inspirational evening. The concluding number for this evening will be the “Pongkle Bird,” played by Nguyễn Đình Nghĩa and family. The “Pongkle Bird” is a song, symbolic of many birds in the Aulacese (Vietnamese) culture and literature. The shrill, piercing sound of the piccolo flute of the Ra Đê (people) will be featured by (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa.