With masterful technique and profound emotion, young violinist Sara Dragan, together with the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Orhan Salliel, delivered a deeply moving and powerful musical journey, celebrating the timeless beauty of Tchaikovsky's music.
Elevated in Every Note
On April 19, the “Tchaikovsky Night concert took place in a solemn and exalted atmosphere. The Grand Concert Hall of the Vietnam National Academy of Music was filled with the immortal melodies of the Russian musical genius. Leading the concert was the talented conductor Orhan Salliel from Turkey. He is renowned for his passionate and emotional conducting style, as well as his flexibility in working with major orchestras worldwide. The firm yet delicate style of conductor Orhan Salliel infused each piece with new vitality, creating a strong connection between the orchestra and the audience. The concert also featured violinist Chuong Vu – who has served as string conductor and concertmaster for major orchestras in Germany, Austria, the United States, and South Korea.
The program opened with the Overture from The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – a festive and jubilant melody that ushered the audience into the fairy-tale world so characteristic of Tchaikovsky.
Continuing the program, world-renowned violinist Sara Dragan captivated the Vietnamese audience with her performance of the Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 – one of the most iconic and beloved works in the violin repertoire. The talented violinist, born in 1996, is currently performing on the precious antique violin Nicola Amati (1666) from Italy. Despite her young age, Sara has won numerous prestigious awards at nearly 50 violin competitions across Europe, Asia, and the United States. With her virtuosic technique and refined expressiveness, Sara mesmerized the entire concert hall with each sound of her violin.
Conductor Orhan Salliel, violinist Sara Dragan, and the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra.
Amidst warm applause from the audience, Sara offered a special gift with a performance of “Erlkönig, W. Ernst's version for solo violin adapted from Schubert's original Lieder. This was also one of the unforgettable highlights of the evening.
Sara Dragan delivered a performance full of technique and emotion.
Concluding the program was the Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, in which the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra fully conveyed the spirit and intellectual depth of the work. Under the baton of conductor Orhan Salliel, the musicians guided the audience through a dramatic emotional journey – from melancholy to an explosion of hope. In particular, the renowned and technically challenging horn solo in the second movement was delivered with exceptional finesse and harmony by the orchestra, leaving a lasting impression.
Meticulous preparation, artistic harmony, and a sincere love for music created a truly transcendent Tchaikovsky night. Many audience members in the Grand Concert Hall shared a sense of being “overwhelmed and enchanted by the way the artists “spoke through their instruments.
“There were moments when I felt the entire space condensed into the trembling rhythm of the violin. The concert allowed me to experience a vivid, intense, romantic, and deeply human Tchaikovsky, said one audience.
After each performance, the thunderous applause was a heartfelt tribute to the artists who gave their all to Tchaikovsky's endless melodies.
Exalted moments in world-class music.
Violinist Sara Dragan emotionally said, “I had truly wonderful moments performing Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Orhan Salliel, alongside guest concertmaster Chuong Vu. The Vietnamese audience was so warm and enthusiastic – that is the most wonderful thing an artist could hope for.
Spreading Enduring Artistic Values
Behind the success of “Tchaikovsky Night was the contribution of supporting partners, including ROX Group. The event was not only an occasion to honor Tchaikovsky's musical legacy, but also a testament to ROX Group's belief in the role of art in enriching spiritual life, fostering a civilized community, and promoting sustainable development.
This is also the mission that ROX Group steadfastly pursues: to create valuable conveniences for life, to accompany the arts in spreading sustainable cultural values, to enhance the spiritual life of the community, and to build a refined, internationally inspired lifestyle.
ROX Group representatives congratulate the success of the “Tchaikovsky Night concert.
The collaboration with the orchestra vividly reflects the international and innovative spirit of ROX Group in its efforts to bring the world's musical and cultural essence closer to Vietnamese audiences. The Group's refined lifestyle standards are cultivated through beauty and subtlety.
The concert, featuring world-renowned artists, also offered local musicians an opportunity for exchange and learning, thereby bringing even more elevated performances to both domestic and international audiences. ROX Group will continue to accompany the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra to deliver more surprises to music lovers in 2025.