An Evening of Poetry and Music – Traces of Previous Lives and Love Songs for the Homeland, Part 21 of a Multi-part Series

(Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa has mastered the technique of continuous or circular breathing on the flute. While many brass players and saxophone players, such as Kenny G, have been noted for this technique in producing a sustained, uninterrupted tone or phrase, it is incredibly difficult for a flutist. Listen as (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa demonstrates a long tone on the flute. He can play the flute until tomorrow morning and still not run out of breath. The next selection, “Way Lamentation,” is a long song expressing sorrow. It is a song at night under a full moon by a boatwoman on the river. [Nguyễn Đình Nghĩa will play the song] “Hò Mái Đẩy” using the technique of breathing in and out while playing the flute.

Diệu Tân, (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa’s wife of 36 years, is a novelist and poet. She’ll recite a romantic South Vietnamese poem With (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa’s accompaniment. Please welcome Diệu Tân and Nguyễn Đình Nghĩa as they perform “Waiting for Someone at the Foothill Town” written by [Supreme] Master Ching Hai. “You linger in my world of dreams Like Tô Thị, expectantly I wait, Silky sun-drenched hair grown long with yearning Mountain and forest places of old, too, be dazed. With you gone, the mountain town became forlorn – Like the sun searing through my flesh, this separation! Even summer breeze is too sad to sing, Feeling sympathy for my weary longing! O clouds above, won’t you carry my love yonder, To all ten directions, so this one he will remember? Lovelorn leaves withered on a deserted hill, In the sky, cranes seem reluctant to fly! Gather all of time to burn For prolonged months and days to quickly turn For sunlight to rejoice on our reunion eve, And the moon to brighten that enchanting moment eternally...”

The Central Mountain tribe called the Mường have designed a flute which incorporates a small copper reed in the blow hole. Shaped like an arrowhead, the thin copper blade is blown across to produce the tone. With six different tonal inflections for each spoken sound, talking is literally possible through music. (Nguyễn Đình) Nghĩa will show his technical mastery of this instrument by playing a song about a boy and a girl arranging for a date. You’ll hear in the music a sound description of the location where the couple will meet, the echo of the mountain, the wind, and the sounds of wild animals.