Germany’s Frankfurt Radio Symphony to perform at Hanoi Opera House in October

THE HAONI TIMES — The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on October 2 as part of the official events organized by the state of Hesse to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam–Germany diplomatic relations.

The repertoire will include one of the original quartets by the opera composer Louis Spohr, who has worked for many years in Hesse, the sextet by the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, written for six instruments with two horns and a string quartet, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's work for an octet, consisting of four violins, two violas and two cellos.

The richness of sound in the octet represents the fullness of the orchestra in chamber music. A prime example is the string octet by Mendelssohn, a 16-year-old genius, in which youthful exuberance combines with masterful compositional confidence.

Meanwhile, the German composer and violinist Louis Spohr employs eight string players in his quartet in a different way.

The work is performed by two separate quartets, equal in status, but with very different connections to each other. The result is a continuous musical dialogue and extremely effective effects.

In Beethoven's Sextet in E-flat major, a string quartet is combined with two horns, creating a powerful richness of sound. Beethoven himself learned to play the horn at a young age.

The work therefore also impresses with the unusual virtuosity of the horn sections and is one of the most distinctive compositions by the important classical composer from the Rhine.

Founded in 1929, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra is one of Germany’s first radio symphony orchestras. With its innovative concert formats, successful digital productions and CD releases worldwide, along with regular appearances at major music centers in Europe and Asia, the orchestra has established a prominent position in Europe’s symphonic scene and earned an outstanding global reputation.

Renowned for its excellent brass section, powerful strings and dynamic playing culture, the orchestra of the German public radio (Hessischer Rundfunk) in the state of Hesse, together with Music Director Alain Altinoglu, offers audiences both excellent music and interesting and diverse works.

Apart from the concert in Hanoi, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Saigon Opera House in Ho Chi Minh City on October 4.

Vietnam has been an important and special partner of the state of Hesse in education, research and technology since 2012.

In 2010, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam-Germany diplomatic ties, the state sponsored a friendly football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and the Vietnamese national team, marking the first time a Bundesliga club played in Vietnam.