The program took place at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House on the evening of 15/8, featuring conductors Le Ha My, Tran Nhat Minh and opera singers Ta Minh Tam, Pham Khanh Ngoc, Dao Mac, and Pham Trang.

Traditionally, when the melody of Return to Motherland (music and lyrics by Nguyen Van Thuong) rings out, the city's classical music audience knows a new season of Autumn Melodies has begun. The piece evokes a sense of origin, of the nation's embrace welcoming home those from afar. Nguyen Van Thuong's music, rich in lyricism and national identity, was rearranged for a symphony orchestra, creating a soundscape both vast and intimate.

Artist Ta Minh Tam and conductor Le Ha My (right). Photo: Ly Vo Phu Hung

Meritorious Artist Pham Khanh Ngoc's soprano voice combined with the symphony orchestra in Ho Chi Minh, The Most Beautiful Name (music and lyrics by Tran Kiet Tuong), transforming the familiar song into an epic. Singer Dao Mac delivered a powerful performance of Together We Proudly Rise, Oh Vietnam (music and lyrics by Chu Minh). Under the baton of conductor Le Ha My, the performances received thunderous applause.

Artists Pham Trang, Pham Duyen Huyen, Pham Khanh Ngoc, and Dao Mac perform. Photo: Ly Vo Phu Hung

Following this was My Fatherland Has Never Been So Beautiful (music and lyrics by Nguyen Van Thuong), performed by People's Artist Ta Minh Tam and the choir. Artist Pham Trang then created a contemplative atmosphere with Aspiration (music and lyrics by Pham Minh Tuan).

All the pieces were newly arranged by artist Tran Manh Hung. He stated that he not only respected the original compositions but also expanded their emotional range, maximizing the expressive capabilities of each instrument in the symphony orchestra.

Conductor Tran Nhat Minh opened a new chapter with symphonic pieces celebrating Vietnamese instrumental music: Overture Spring of the Century by Hoang Cuong, Duet Mi Chau - Trong Thuy from the ballet Red Pearl (Ca Le Thuan), The Unknown Monument (Duc Trinh), and Rhapsody Vietnam (Do Hong Quan). He led the orchestra through a range of emotions, from the profound to the dramatic.

After the two-hour concert, audience member Thanh Loan commented, "The organizers brought familiar songs into the symphony space, giving them new life. The combination of vocal artists and the symphony orchestra created a rich tapestry of sound."

According to conductor Le Ha My, the concert aimed to revisit the roots of Vietnamese instrumental music, honoring domestic composers and their timeless works.

Autumn Melodies is a biennial classical arts event in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring symphony, chamber music, ballet, and musical theater. First launched in 8/2005, it has become a notable cultural and entertainment event for the city. This year's festival runs from 15/8 to 24/8 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, coinciding with the nation's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, 2/9 (1945-2025).

Hoang Dung