HCM CITY— Composer Nguyễn Cường, known as Son of Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands), will hold a free concert in Đăk Lắk Province on May 1 to celebrate his 40-year career.

Called Đến Voi Cao Nguyen (Coming to the Central Highlands), the concert will highlight the generous and liberal spirit of the Tay Nguyen region and its people with songs like: Còn Thương Nhau Thì Về Buon Ma Thuot (Love for Buon Ma Thuot); Đoi Mắt Pleiku (The Eyes of Pleiku); and H’Ling Em Ở Đau (H’Ling, Where Are You). 

Popular hits performed by rock stars Silk Black and Y Moan, Anh Muốn Sống Ben Em Trọn Đời ( I Want to Live Within You Forever) and Ly Ca Phe Ban Me (The Cup of Coffee in Ban Me Thuot), will be part of the program. 

The concert will also feature Khat Vọng Đam San (Đam San’s Aspiration), a musical on Ê Đe ethnic people of Tay Nguyen written and composed by Cường in 2021. 

The musical is based on Trường Ca Đam San (The Great Epic of Đam San), a famous seven-chapter epic of the Ê Đe ethnic minority people in Tay Nguyen. It tells the story of a heroic chieftain named Đam San.

The epic was collected by French ethnologist Sabatier in Đắk Lắk and published in Ê Đe language and French in Paris in 1927.

In 2014, the epic was recognised as a national intangible culture heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Cường worked on the five-chapter musical Khat Vọng Đam San to help Ê Đe people preserve their culture and lifestyle. 

He said has spent a lot of time working with singers and dancers from traditional art troupes of Đắk Lắk to prepare for his concert. 

 “Our artists will sing and dance with their heart and soul,” said 78-year-old Cường. “I have invited young singers who come from minority groups of Tay Nguyen to join my concert. I hope their performance will win over fans.”

Cường’s concert, Đến Voi Cao Nguyen, will begin 7.30pm at the Đắk Lắk Museum in Buon Ma Thuot City, Đắk Lắk Province. — VNS