Nhan Dan Online -  The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No 9 to music lovers in Hanoi on January 23 and 24 at the Hanoi Opera House.

The concert is part of a series of cultural activities to celebrate the Germany Year in Vietnam. The concert is performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vietnam national orchestra, under the baton of German conductor Jonas Alber.

The Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op. 125 "Choral" is the final complete symphony of Beethoven. Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works of the Western classical repertoire. It is considered one of Beethoven's most highly regarded masterpieces and one of the greatest artistic achievements in human history.

The symphony was the first example of a major composer using voices in a symphony. The words are sung during the final movement by four vocal soloists and a chorus. They were taken from the "Ode to Joy", a poem written by Friedrich Schiller in 1785 and revised in 1803, with additions made by the composer.

Vietnamese audience will be able to enjoy Michael Smallwood in tenor, Susanne Bernhard in soprano, Tareq Nazmi in bass and Carolin Masur in mezzo-soprano.

Conductor Jonas Alber is also one of Germany’s most distinguished artists. He used to head the Braunschweig National Theatre during the period from 1998 to 2007, and has for many times, conducted world renowned musical orchestras.

The two concerts offer Vietnamese audience with a rare chance to enjoy world’s famous pieces, and are also chances for the local musicians to learn from the experiences of foreign professional musicians.

By Dieu Thuy