In the second part of the Campus Concert, the student orchestra played a symphony that, at its premiere in Vienna in 1814, was perceived as the expression of a joyful mood of victory and liberation. Two months previously, the allied troops of Prussia, Austria, Russia and Sweden had precipitated the decline of Napoleon's hegemony in Europe at the Battle of Leipzig.

Richard Wagner was later to describe the Seventh Symphony as the "apotheosis of the dance." Carl Maria von Weber, however, was of the opinion - probably referring to the last movement - that Beethoven should be sent "to the madhouse for this piece."

In the land of Beethoven

The young musicians from Vietnam, all aged between 16 and 24, played with great courage. The audience applauded enthusiastically and the orchestra expressed its thanks by playing the end of the Scherzo as an encore.

The Hanoi Conservatory of Music was founded in 1956 under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and Information. The aim: to preserve and develop the legacy of traditional music, but also to help open the country to musical influences from around the world.

Every year, over 1,500 pupils and students are trained in 32 different musical fields on five levels: from the basic level for children to university studies and postgraduate courses. The Academy employs over 200 lecturers and also carries out academic research.

From Bonn to Hanoi

Next year, the Beethovenfest, in partnership with Deutsche Welle, is planning a return visit to Vietnam to mark the German-Vietnamese Year of Culture agreed upon by the governments in Bonn and Hanoi for 2010. The program in Hanoi will include concerts and workshops with Vietnamese musicians.

Program:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92: Allegro con brio

Performed by:

Orchestra of the Vietnam National Academy of Music Hanoi

Conductor: Claire Levacher

Performed on September 27, 2009 and recorded by Deutsche Welle.

Carla Gehrmann-Zellen/rf/kjb