Now in its 27th year, the Toyota Concert has become a highly anticipated event for classical music lovers in Vietnam, bringing high art to a wider audience. This year's program featured conductor Honna Tetsuji, People's Artist Bui Cong Duy, and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra (VNSO).
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Performers on stage at the 2025 Toyota Concert. Photo: Toyota Vietnam |
Performers on stage at the 2025 Toyota Concert. Photo: Toyota Vietnam
The concert opened with the five resounding drumbeats of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61, which comprised the first movement. According to the organizers, the second movement offered a gentler shift in tone, while the third movement concluded the concerto with a vibrant energy, culminating in an explosive climax.
Following this was Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47, described as a "protracted spiritual battle, the reward of which is victory." The piece, with its alternatingly strident and hushed melodies, reflected inner turmoil and hidden hope, providing a deeply emotional experience for the audience.
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Conductor Honna Tetsuji. Photo: Toyota Vietnam |
Conductor Honna Tetsuji. Photo: Toyota Vietnam
"Under the masterful direction of conductor Honna Tetsuji, who has nearly three decades of experience with the VNSO, the entire program was presented with clarity, academic depth, and emotional resonance," a representative of the organizing committee stated. A highlight of the performance was the appearance of People's Artist Bui Cong Duy as violin soloist.
"Classic works are always a great challenge for any artist. Each performance reveals a new perspective, a different emotion – that is the unique aspect of classical music," Bui Cong Duy commented. "In recent years, especially in Hanoi, I have felt a positive shift, with concert programs becoming increasingly professional in both scale and quality, and more diverse in genre."
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People's Artist Bui Cong Duy (left) at the event. Photo: Toyota Vietnam |
People's Artist Bui Cong Duy (left) at the event. Photo: Toyota Vietnam
Audience member Nhu Linh from Hanoi praised the Toyota Concert as a key effort in bringing classical music to the public, while maintaining a high level of artistic quality. "People's Artist Bui Cong Duy's performance was deeply moving and masterful. The architecture of the Ho Guom Theater also enhanced the memorable experience," Linh said.
The Toyota Concert has been organized by the Japanese automaker in Vietnam for almost 30 years, aiming to promote the arts and support leading artists.
Quang Anh
