• Symphonic poem for solo Đàn Bầu and orchestra opus 106 

   

  Instrumentation: 

  1 solo Đàn Bầu 

  2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons/ 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba/ 3 percussionists on 1 glockenspiel, 1 vibraphone shared by two players, a set of tubular bells, a pair of crash cymbals, 1 suspended cymbal, 1 deep tam and 2 triangles of different sizes/ 1 player on piano and celesta (the celesta may need to be slightly amplified and is positioned at a right angle of the piano, so that the pianist can play simultaneously on both instruments)/ harp/ strings

• Duration: 13' 30"
• In 1 movement
• Composed in 2016
• First performance: 12.10.16 Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra conducted by R Casteels with meritorious artist Lệ Chi Bùi playing the Đàn Bầu Opera House of Hanoi, Vietnam
• ISMN 979-090-16-5331-3
• Parts: To rent the parts, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
• Downloadable scores for inspection:
  Cu_Rua_Full_Score_.pdf

The inspiration of my composition is threefold: ever since my first visit to Vietnam, I have been touched by the kindness of its people and beauty of its nature, I have been charmed by the melancholic unique timbre of the Đàn Bầu; and I have been intrigued by the microtonal possibilities of the Đàn Bầu. The triggering factor for me to choose the legends of King An Duong Vuong and King Lê Lợi as the basis of this composition was the demise earlier this year of Cụ Rùa, the venerable well-loved turtle living in Hoam Kiem Lake, central Hanoi. Cụ Rùa means great grandfather/grandmother turtle

in Vietnamese. Even though the eight subparts of my composition connect to various twists and turns of the two legends, I felt compelled to stay away from a literal sonic rendition out of respect of these sagas that belong to the collective memory of Vietnamese people and occupy a central role in their mythology. I understand that the universal moral of the legends lies in the value of ruling by wisdom with a limited amount of force, no matter what personal circumstances turned out to be. This symphonic poem is based on one chord, one mode and one rhythm that undergo a constant process of change. The poetic ending evokes a peaceful aquatic environment far below, and a paradisiac shimmer of iridescent light far above. Cụ Rùa was premiered by the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer with meritorious artist Lệ Chi Bùi playing the Đàn Bầu during the opening gala concert of the 34th Asian Composers League Conference and Festival on 12-10-2016 in the Opera House of Hanoi, Vietnam.