Trio preserves traditional folk art

Entitled Ca Tru – Gin Giu Cho Muon Doi Sau (Ca Tru – Preserve for Our Next Generation), the show was put o­n by ca tru folk band trio Ca Tru Nguoi Viet (Vietnamese Ca Tru). The band includes 76-year-old singer Nguyen Thi Chuc, dan day (long-necked lute-like instrument with three silk strings and 10 frets) player Nguyen Phu De, 83, and their student, singer Pham Thi Hue.

"The performance is a way to vividly preserve this unique traditional folk genre, which is a part of our cultural heritage," said well-known ethnomusicologist Professor Tran Van Khe.

According to singer Hue, different reasons encouraged her to set up the band.

"The band not o­nly gives us opportunities to practice and share experience, but we also bring the genre closer to audiences. Ca tru is in danger of extinction along with an ageing generation of elder artisans, who own most ca tru treasures. I hope younger generations will find the beauty of this folk music genre through our performance," said Hue, 33.

Ca tru first appeared in the 11th century and was performed at royal receptions and religious rituals. It was later performed more widely in singing parlours. The style combines poetry and music and uses a variety of traditional melodic forms.

"We want to replicate this ca tru performance form because it was popular among our ancestors. The house performances of ca tru are not controled by rules; that’s why performers and audiences can connect. Both of my teachers used to sing at these houses," Hue said.

During the performance o­n Thursday night, the trio performed seven ca tru songs and extracts, include Tieng Duong Tranh, which is considered the oldest song of the genre.

Hue has spent 14 years studying at the Ha Noi Conservatory of Music’s Traditional Music Department and now lecturers there. She is not o­nly a ca tru singer but is also the first-ever female instrumentalist to play the dan day – o­ne of three necessary instruments to perform ca tru (the others are a small drum and phach, a percussion instrument made of bamboo and played with two wooden sticks).

"Experiences I had at the Conservatory of Music helped bring me closer to ca tru in the past year. Now I feel very confident because I always have my teachers beside me in performances," she said.

The band’s free performances are organised o­n the first Saturday of every month at 232 Kim Ma Road in Ha Noi. For reservations, please dial (04) 8465326.