Music

Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen attends the premiere of 'Blinded by the Light' at Paramount Theater on August 7, 2019 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.—AFP Photo NEW JERSEY — The song appears on the soundtrack to Blinded by the Light, a new coming-of age film whose plot is inspired by Springsteen's music. As Rolling Stone points out, the previously unreleased ballad was originally penned for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but never made it into the film. The Boss hinted at it in a 2016 interview to the BBC, revealing that "at some point [he]'d like to get into a children's movie of some sort". The lyrics are loosely inspired by J.K. Rowling's saga, with Springsteen notably singing "I know that here in the dark/Tomorrow can seem so very far away/Here the ghosts and the goblins/Can rise from your dreams." I'll Stand by You, which first leaked in 2017, is one of the numerous Springsteen rarities appearing on the soundtrack to Blinded by the Light. … [Read more...] about Bruce Springsteen unveils previously unreleased song,

US singer Miley Cyrus and her husband, Australian actor Liam Hemsworth -- pictured arriving for a fashion show in Malibu, California in June 2019 -- are reportedly separating less than a year after their wedding. — AFP Photo LOS ANGELES — Pop star Miley Cyrus and her husband actor Liam Hemsworth have agreed to separate after less than a year of marriage, People magazine has reported. "Liam and Miley have agreed to separate at this time. Ever-evolving, changing as partners and individuals, they have decided this is what's best while they both focus on themselves and their careers. They still remain dedicated parents to all of their animals," a representative for Cyrus was quoted as telling People. Cyrus's management team did not immediately reply to AFP requests for confirmation. People said that rumors of a split between the 26-year-old singer and her Australian husband, who is 29, began a day earlier when Cyrus - who has been ranked as one of the world's most … [Read more...] about Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth to separate: media

SEOUL — K-pop superstars BTS will take a 'long-term break' from the music scene, their agency said on Monday, after the boy band topped charts in the US and Britain earlier this year. But the pause may only last a few weeks, with the septet due to play a controversial show in Saudi Arabia in October. The K-pop industry is known for cutthroat competition and around-the-clock work hours that include concerts, press events and gruelling singing and dancing training when the stars are offstage. BTS will take their "first official long-term break since their debut" six years ago, managers Big Hit Entertainment said, adding it will be a time to "recharge and refresh as musicians and creators". It would also be a time for them to "enjoy their daily lives as normal 20-something young men", the agency said in a midnight statement. "If you run into BTS at an unexpected place, we ask for the fans' consideration to allow the members to enjoy their private time." BTS - or Bangtan … [Read more...] about K-pop superstars BTS to take ‘long-term break

      Tùng poses for a photo with his prize after his performance in Salzburg. By Nguyễn Bình   For many parents, introducing their children to the piano at a young age is a chance for their children to begin to learn about music. Most parents hope their kids will be able to enjoy classical music when they are older, but few can expect their children to embrace music as fully as Nguyễn Sơn Tùng. He may still be a few months away from his sixth birthday, but little Tùng has already participated in four international competitions this year, including the American Protégé Spring International Music Talent Competition, the Berlin Grand Fix International Online Music Competition Stars, the Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso in Austria, and the Amsterdam Grand Prize Virtuoso in the Netherlands.     Nguyễn Sơn Tùng and his teacher Đoàn … [Read more...] about Little boy wins international music prizes

  In the late 1970s Art Neville joined forces with his siblings to start the Neville Brothers, which for years closed out New Orleans' famed Jazz Festival. — AFP Photo NEW YORK — Art Neville, a New Orleans funk legend and co-founder of the Neville Brothers, has died, his brother said on Monday. He was 81 years old. The singer and keyboard player who answered to the sobriquet Poppa Funk was well known as the voice of the Mardi Gras Mambo, which quickly became a mainstay of his home city's famed carnival after he first played it at age 17. "Artie Poppa Funk Neville you are loved dearly by every one who knew you. Love always your lil' big brother AARON (we ask for privacy during this time of mourning)," his brother, soul singer Aaron Neville, tweeted. His death follows that of another famed New Orleans musician, the blues pianist Dr. John, who died last month. Born Arthur Lanon Neville on December 17, 1937, the funk icon grew up admiring the work of doo-wop stars like … [Read more...] about New Orleans funk icon Art Neville dies at 81

A new episode of The Old Quarter's Musical Story by Đông Kinh Cổ Nhạc (the Ancient Music Group of Tonkin) will take place with the theme A Beautiful Summer. — Photo hanoigrapevine.com HÀ NỘI —  The Old Quarter's Musical Story by Đông Kinh Cổ Nhạc (the Ancient Music Group of Tonkin) will be performed on May 25 with the theme 'A Beautiful Summer'. In the fourth Lunar month, the programme inspired by the spirit of Vesak Day, will introduce the music of ancient Vietnamese spiritual life and poems from the Lý and Trần dynasties (the 10th-13th centuries) turned into music, as well as traditional theatre of tuồng and chèo. The acoustic concert aims to show the audience the beauty of Vietnamese traditional cultural identity. The concert will be held monthly at the Hà Nội Old Quarter for Cultural Centre, 50 Đào Duy Từ Street, with free entry. — … [Read more...] about Classic music to feature beauty of summer

  Beside composing, Nguyễn Văn Thương had great devotion for training other musicians. — Photo courtesy of the organiser HÀ NỘI — A concert reviewing the legacy of prominent composer Nguyễn Văn Thương (1919-2002) will take place tomorrow in Hà Nội to mark his 100th birthday. Thương composed many songs loved by Vietnamese of all ages. He was appreciated as People’s Artist and honoured with many titles and awards. Beside composing, Thương had great devotion for training other musicians. He worked as director of the Việt Nam National Academy of Music and the Việt Nam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre. With the theme of 'Return to the Motherland', the concert gathers famous artists who were students of Thương such as Quang Thọ, Thu Hiền, Thái Bảo, Phương Thảo and … [Read more...] about Concert to pay tribute to composer Nguyễn Văn Thương

  Famous conductor Michel Jakobiec from Belgium will perform with Vietnamese singers. Photo http://ekladata.com HÀ NỘI — Belgian conductor Michel Jakobiec will perform with the National Academy of Music of Việt Nam during a concert held on Thursday in Hà Nội. The performance will feature pianists Hồng Thạch and Thành Thi. Free tickets can be collected at the reception of Daeha Building, 360 Kim Mã Street, Hà Nội. The concert is co-organised by the academy and the Conservatory of the City of Tournai (Belgium). Jakobiec, head of the Vocal Ensemble of the Conservatory of Tournai, has been giving master classes to students majoring in composing, conducting, musicology and vocals at the National Academy of Music of Việt Nam who will take part in the concert. This project is part of the Co-operation Programme between Wallonia-Brussels and Việt Nam from 2019-21. … [Read more...] about Belgian conductor to lead Vietnamese choir at concert

Swedish chorus to appear in concert “God in Disguise”By Bradley Winterton The Gustav Sjokvist Chamber Choir - PHOTO: COURTESY OF HBSO HCMC - After a month’s break, the HCMC Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) is opening its new season with a major performance by a visiting choir from Sweden. On Saturday, March 2, the Gustav Sjokvist Chamber Choir will perform a variety of mostly Swedish compositions in the Saigon Opera House, with the assistance of Vietnamese artists. The occasion is in celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sweden and Vietnam. The Saigon concert follows an evening of Swedish jazz plus choir, to be staged in Hanoi on February 25. The title of the Saigon concert is “God in Disguise”.  This refers to the title of the longest item in the program, a highly melodic lyrical suite composed in 1940 by Lars-Erik Larsson (1908 – 1986). The story is the ancient Greek one of the god Apollo appearing for … [Read more...] about Swedish chorus to appear in concert “God in Disguise”

Boney M and Joy to perform in Hanoi next monthThe Saigon Times Daily Boney M’s lead singer Liz Mitchell performs at My Dinh National Convention Center in October 2016 - PHOTO: VNA HCMC - World-renowned disco bands Boney M and Joy will hold a live concert at the National Convention Center in Hanoi on March 8, starting at 8 p.m. This will be Boney M’s third show in Vietnam after their impressive performances at My Dinh National Convention Center in October 2016 and at Vinpearl Nha Trang in August 2018, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The band will sing their hits from the album Boney M 79 and some other songs by famous divas like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. “On March 8 I will be coming to Hanoi on Women’s Day. I look forward to seeing everyone. Happy New Year Hanoi,” said Boney M’s lead singer Liz Mitchell in a recent video. Boney M will share the stage with the Austrian disco trio Joy, who will perform in Vietnam for the first … [Read more...] about Boney M and Joy to perform in Hanoi next month