First music album inspired by Temple of Literature released

The music album Quintessence of Education Vol.1 by musician Dinh Khanh Ly was launched on the evening of January 16, embodying the enthusiasm and efforts of young artists to convey traditional musical and artistic values to the public.

Musician Dinh Khanh Ly (middle) with the artists who performed at the album launch. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

The entire album features six tracks of musical instrument ensembles closely following the theme of the 3D mapping presentation Quintessence of Education, currently on display at the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature).

According to musician Dinh Khanh Ly, the core values of Vietnam's educational culture come from family education, the spirit of diligence and the will of each Confucian student to persevere and become a useful person. It is a composition inspired by the song Earthly Adventures, which expresses the poetic idea of the great poet Nguyen Du and praises the great will of Confucian scholars.

Another song praises the four bas-reliefs (Dragon, Kylin, Turtle, and Phoenix) and the image of a father guiding his son to the enlightenment of education from an early age, nurturing the will through time.

The song Quintessence of Education opens a special musical door, conveying the teachings, values, and praising educational philosophy of the Vietnamese people for many generations.

The song The Journey of Education is written about the journey of a student who uses learning to cultivate himself, open his heart, help the people and the country, and not disappoint his predecessors.

The song Top Color and Fragrance is inspired by the lotus flower. The rustic yet sophisticated melody evokes the elegance and purity of the Vietnamese people's souls.

The solemn and proud song Honoring the Ancestors pays tribute to the new graduates who pass the royal examination and bring glory to their family and homeland.

Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, said it was the first time a musician had composed an album about the Temple of Literature. Dinh Khanh Ly is known as the young musician behind the success of many documentary theme songs.

Khue Van Cac sparkles on the night tour of the Temple of Literature. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

"The values of relics associated with the tradition of education are expressed in a very attractive art form that will evoke emotions in the public and foster love for heritage. We hope this album will inspire artists to create more artworks about the Temple of Literature so that this space will always be a strong source of inspiration for cultural creations in the future," said Kieu.

Vietnamese educational principles are conveyed through monumental architectural works such as the Khue Van Cac Pavilion, the Doctoral Stele Garden, and the Thien Quang Fountain.

The Temple of Literature night tour includes Vietnamese stories and tales about schools, ancient academics, and the obstacles and challenges that each person must overcome to achieve success in education. The tour's highlight is a 3D mapping presentation on the Quintessence of Education in Thai Hoc Hall.