Drums and Voices, a troupe of musicians from seven Asian countries will perform in six ASEAN countries in October and November
“Drums Voices,” a troupe featuring 12 instrumentalists from seven Asian countries will perform on October 17 and 18 at the Au Co Arts Center in Hanoi.
“Drums Voices” has been set up exclusively to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ASEAN Japan and Vietnam Japan relationships. The concerts are organized by the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam.
The 12 professional traditional music performers in the troupe come from seven countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The musicians spent four weeks each in Thailand and Vietnam last year to get to know each other’s music. Famous Japanese composer Michiru Oshima joined “Drums and Voices” as its music director, orchestrating the different styles and founds to create a “harmonious diversity”.
The Vietnamese members of the troupe are Meritorius Artist Mai Lien from the Ba Pho Musical House, who specializes in traditional percussion, especially the T’rung (bamboo xylophone); and Meritorious Artist Minh Chi of the Vietnam Cheo Theater, specializing in cheo (traditional northern opera) and ethnic rhythms.
Both Mai Lien and Minh Chi are celebrated for their superb skills and knowledge of Vietnamese traditional music and for their international collaborations. Their participation made it possible for the “Drums Voices” troupe to create uniquely arranged songs based on Vietnamese traditional music.
Noted performers from other countries include Tsubasa Hori of Japan, former member of the legendary Japanese drum troupe “Kodo” and a composer/arranger; and Pyi Kyauk Sein from Myanmar, who is a Pattalar (Myanmarese bamboo xylophone) player.
The “Drums Voices” concerts will be held in six ASEAN countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) through this and next month. On December 18, the troupe will perform at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
The concerts are free and open to the public. Tickets can be obtained at the Japan Foundation (27 Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi/Tel 04-3944-7419, Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00 daily).
For more information, visit Japan Foundation’s website: http://jpf.org.vn/en/2013/10/02/drums-voices/.
Au Co Arts Center is located at 8 Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Hanoi.