JUDE MONTAGUE

Van Nguyen, Jude Montague and MaryAnn Royse have been exploring Vietnamese music from the mid-twentieth century and will be presenting some of this emotional and moving music at Groundbreakers, led by Andrew Croft, at Henry Ward Hall next month. Suối Mơ, by Phạm Duy and Văn Cao, is a study of the sweetness of the natural world,  a lilting tune to a gentle stream. 

In the West we may be familiar with songs about Vietnam protesting the US involvement in the war with aggressive rock and roll roots like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fortunate Son, but in Vietnam protest happened with a more melancholy approach. Rather than compose patriotic pieces, Chế Linh, a composer from the Cham ethnic group – but whose music is more in the tradition of Tứ trụ nhạc vàng (Vietnamese bolero music) –  wrote the haunting ballad Đêm buồn tỉnh lẻ when he met a friend serving in the war. 

This young man was unhappy, being far from home and missing his girlfriend. The alienation and everyday heartbreak of a soldier who wonders if he will ever see his love again are emphasised by the poignant melody and introspective poetry. Chế Linh’s songs were placed on the forbidden list by the South Vietnamese government in 1972, and he was jailed as a reactionary, but later released. His  Spanish-influenced songs, composed with guitar while drawing on Vietnamese folk music, are still popular at home and abroad. 

Van Nguyen, Jude Montague and MaryAnn Royse will interpret these songs and present some original studies of nature in the environment of St Leonards using piano, oboe, violin and voice. Other performers will each present three original pieces as part of the regular Groundbreakers programme.

Henry Ward Hall, Sunday 4 October, 3.00 pm