On the night of the Shared Horizons concert, international and Vietnamese artists together painted a centuries-spanning musical journey, where tradition met modernity and artistic stories were carried forward across generations of performers.
The Interweaving of Musical Generations
On the evening of 5 December 2025, the Grand Concert Hall of the Viet Nam National Academy of Music became the meeting point of a special encounter: Vietnamese and international artists sharing the same stage, young musicians performing alongside seasoned artists, to tell a musical story through “five historical movements" ranging from the Classical and Romantic eras to the Post-Romantic period.
VNAMYO & SSO orchestras on the stage of the Grand Concert Hall.
The Viet Nam National Academy of Music Youth Symphony Orchestra (VNAMYO), representing a rising generation of young artists, and the Sun Symphony Orchestra (SSO), bringing together professional Vietnamese and international musicians, blended seamlessly under the baton of French conductor Olivier Ochanine. This collaboration not only created a remarkable concert night but also demonstrated how classical music can serve as a bridge across generations and cultures.
The concert opened with The Magic Flute, taking audiences back to the Classical era of the 18th century. Before the atmosphere had time to settle, Zigeunerweisen, Karelia Suite, and Carmen Suite No.1 erupted with intensity, evoking the emotionally rich spirit of 19th-century Romanticism. The journey concluded with the profound lyricism of Piano Concerto No.2, guiding listeners into the Post-Romantic world of the 20th century.
Violinist Do Phuong Nhi in a moment of brilliance during Zigeunerweisen.
Among the highlights of the evening were the solo performances by young violinist Do Phuong Nhi, First Prize winner of the Sparre Olsen Competition in Norway, and pianist Pham Ngoc Giang, recipient of multiple international awards in Malta and Russia. Their performances added distinct emotional colors, weaving seamlessly into the program's overarching narrative.
Pianist Pham Ngoc Giang in his solo performance of Piano Concerto No.2.
For many years, performance, exchange, and youth development activities have received the support of various organizations, among which ROX Group stands out as a committed patron of classical music projects in Viet Nam. Over nearly three decades of development, ROX Group has continuously created shared values, delivering positive contributions to customers, communities, and society. This spirit of creation is also reflected in its aspiration to nurture community aesthetics, expand access to the arts, and encourage creativity among younger generations. By accompanying Shared Horizons, ROX Group helped bring refined classical music experiences to audiences, enriching cultural life and spreading humanistic values within the community.
The Imprint of Storytellers Through Sound
Conductor Olivier Ochanine—winner of First Prize at the Antal Dorati International Conducting Competition and numerous prestigious awards—was the soul of the evening. With an emotionally rich conducting style, he guided the two orchestras through each musical thread, maintaining overall cohesion while creating space for young artists to shine.
Conductor Olivier Ochanine leading the two orchestras during the program.
Sharing about the program on his personal Facebook page, he wrote: “This project brings me great hope and inspiration. The passionate, flexible, and talented young artists make us believe that this is not an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter. I firmly believe that Hanoi and Viet Nam have a bright future for classical music and orchestral performance, and that journey has truly begun. We hope the younger generation will also be inspired by musical projects like this."
A moment of convergence between young artists and international musicians.
More than a concert, the event also reflected the persistent efforts of the Viet Nam National Academy of Music in training a new generation of artists through the activities of VNAMYO. From regular rehearsals to stepping onto international-standard stages, young musicians are given opportunities to experience a professional performance environment, enabling them to grow and deepen their love for music.
In Viet Nam, SSO also plays an important role in expanding the classical music landscape, bringing high-quality artistic experiences to a wider public. This collaboration with VNAMYO stands as evidence of a new approach: creating a series of activities where young artists are directly “ignited" by those who came before them.
When young musicians and seasoned artists stand together on the same stage, they write a new chapter in the journey of preserving and spreading the values of classical music in Viet Nam. And it is precisely these moments of convergence that will continue to inspire each generation to contribute its own resonance to the symphony of the future.