Hanoi (VNA)  — Paris-based violinist Nguyen Huu Nguyen returns toplay at a concert entitled Nguyen Huu Nguyen and Friends at French CulturalCentre (L’Espace) on February 3.

The concert will feature two works: Sonate for violin andpiano and Souvenir de Florence by Cesar Franck and Tchaikovsky.

"The two pieces are representatives of French and Russianromantic music," said violinist Nguyen. "Tchaikovsky’s string sextetis not as popular as his ballets and symphonies but it is one of the bestchamber music works. String musicians like to perform the master piece, whichis also romantic".

Tchaikovsky wrote the piece from 1887 to 1890 when he wasliving in Florence. "At the moment I’m terribly pleased with myself,"the composer told his younger brother in a letter written after he finished thepiece.

Nguyen and his friends, including duo partner violinist LeMinh Hien; viola duet Pham Vu Thien Bao and Bui Anh Son and cello duet Tran ThiMo and Ngo Hoang Quan, will play the piece to create a charming aural spacethat combines a Russian snowy night with the gentle sunrise of Tuscany.

Violin duet Nguyen and Hien will perform Sonate for violinand piano, one of the best-loved sonates.

"I like playing the sonate very much because it suitsthe violin," said Nguyen. "The work features gentle and sweetmelodies which suit the Vietnamese soul. I have the chance to play this workand Symphony in a minor only, but I’m thrilled because he is one of myfavourite composers. I love his music because it is full of expression but doesnot exaggerate his emotion and truthfulness".

Nguyen studied at the HCM City Conservatory of Musicbeginning at age 14. He is the winner of many contests such as first prize inthe Vietnam Concours Autumn, a national contest which recognises outstandingyoung Vietnamese musicians, and first prize at the Young Talent Violin Contest.

He was a top graduate of Boulogne Billancourt Conservatory.He later entered the Paris Conservatory and then won top prizes at competitionsin France, such as first prize at a contest by Maurice Ravel Conservatory andFNAPEC Chamber Music Competition.

After completing his master’s degree in chamber music, Nguyenjoined the French National Symphony Orchestra in 1999, and was named the thirdviolin soloist in 2003. Nguyen and his younger violinist Nguyen Khoi Nam aretwo of the orchestra’s four Asian members. - VNA