“A Homeland Echoes in Every Hush of Music”: Where German expressionism “meets” Vietnamese lyricism
On August 16, 2025, at the Goethe Institute – Hanoi, the capital’s audience enjoyed a special concert night A Homeland Echoes in Every Hush of Music – an emotional art event, connecting contemporary European music with lyrical Vietnamese melodies.
Music program “A Homeland Echoes in Every Hush of Music”. Photo: Organization board
The program is a continuation of the series of concerts that have made a splash such as Kurt Weill Youkali and Berlin im Licht, presented by Hanoi Brass Community, introducing the music of Hanns Eisler (1898 – 1962), a German-Austrian composer, a close associate of playwright Bertolt Brecht. As the author of the national anthem of the German Democratic Republic, Eisler is famous for his compositions that deeply reflect social injustice, the melancholy of exile and the desire for human solidarity.
The highlight of the concert was “Fourteen Ways of Describing Rain” (1941), which Eisler composed while in exile in the United States. The new arrangement for brass brought a fresh approach, turning the image of rain into a symbol of longing and the flow of time, while highlighting the experimental spirit in his compositions.
The audience was also treated to excerpts from the “Hollywood Songbook,” particularly “Hollywood Elegies,” where Eisler captured the artist’s feelings of alienation and disorientation in a foreign land. The music guided listeners through a range of emotions, from inner turmoil to calm acceptance, creating a profound journey.
Scene at the event. Photo: Hanoi Brass Community
Interwoven with Eisler’s musical nuances are Vietnamese songs of love and friendship, providing a gentle and warm balance, forming a delicate counterpoint to the sharp sound world from Europe. This combination has brought the audience an experience rich in cultural dialogue, suggesting empathy and hope beyond the boundaries of language and time.
The music program “A Homeland Echoes in Every Hush of Music” ended with enthusiastic applause from music lovers, marking a memorable concert night where music became a bridge between memories, emotions and aspirations for peace.
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