Singer Phuong Thanh: Deeply in love with folk songs

(Baonghean) - For Sao Mai Nguyen Phuong Thanh, Nghe folk songs have been ingrained in her blood since childhood. Even though she has become a singer, people in Tan Son, Do Luong still affectionately call her "nightingale girl"...

fate from parents

Born and raised in her hometown of Do Luong - one of the cradles of Nghe An folk songs, Phuong Thanh's childhood was immersed in lullabies and songs from her parents, on nights when the village had festivals... Back then, whenever a musical troupe came to perform, she never missed a single show. When the actors performed on stage, she would stutter and sing along. From then on, she "loved" them forever as if she could not be separated until now.

Phuong Thanh's singing passion originated from her parents' passion for singing. Mrs. Thu (Phuong Thanh's mother) recalls the days when the art troupe often went on tour. Life was very difficult, but when the troupe mobilized them, the couple carried their children in their arms to perform. Sometimes they performed for a whole week without being able to return home. She said: "Nghe folk songs are very strange. Sweet, deep and rich..." Then suddenly she sang her own songs to familiar Vi Dam melodies.

As a "fate" from their parents, in addition to the sweet voice of the eldest sister Phuong Thanh (born in 1988), the two remaining younger siblings Nguyen Thanh Loan (born in 1989) and Nguyen Viet Phuc (born in 1991) are both talented and passionate about singing folk songs. After graduating from the Music Pedagogy Department of Nghe An College of Culture and Arts, not wanting to give up her passion for singing, Phuong Thanh decided to go to the capital to study at the Vietnam National Academy of Music with the hope of realizing her dream of becoming a singer. Her younger sister Thanh Loan is currently working at the Nghe An Provincial Police. Thanh Loan is not only considered a female announcer with a beautiful face and a soulful voice for the People's Security program, but is also an indispensable member of the agency's art performances. Her younger brother Viet Phuc is currently a final year student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry. This young man from the Lao windy region not only sings folk songs well but is also a famous flute player in the faculty and school.

At the end of 2012, Phuong Thanh's family was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the People's Committee of Do Luong district for their achievements in 15 years of implementing the Central Resolution 5 (VIII term) on "Building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity".

Affirm yourself with singing career

In 2011, while a second-year student at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Phuong Thanh participated in the Sao Mai contest in the folk style. With her simple style, rustic performance, sweet voice, and bright appearance, this Nghe An girl won a ticket straight to the final ranking night of the contest. Phuong Thanh not only won over the judges of the contest when she won the second prize in the folk style but also made her mark with the "Most Favorite Contestant" award through the number of text message votes.

Talking about Phuong Thanh, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, a neighbor, affectionately said: “I still remember when Thanh was little, every time she heard Mr. Huan and Mrs. Thu singing folk songs, Thanh stood in a corner and practiced singing along. Everyone in the village called Thanh “the little nightingale”. But that little nightingale has now become a singer”. Mr. Tran Nhu Y - Vice Chairman of Tan Son Commune People's Committee said: “Thanh's whole family sings folk songs very well. Phuong Thanh's parents are the core members of the Tan Son Folk Song Club. Before she became a singer, Thanh also actively participated in the cultural and artistic movement of the commune... now seeing her so successful, the whole commune is happy”.

After 1 year of effort and success in the Sao Mai contest, her first CD titled “Finding Memories” was released to the public, marking an important milestone in her career pursuing folk music. Most of the songs have the folk music of Nghe An. That is also the gift Phuong Thanh wants to send to the audience as a deep gratitude. The special thing in her first album, the songs "Love for Nghe An" and "Oi con song Ngan Pho" were selected to participate in the program "Favorite Songs" in 2013 and received the support of the masses. Meritorious Artist Thu Lan, a lecturer at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, said: "Phuong Thanh is one of the very few young singers today who are diligent in learning and passionate about music. In Thanh, in addition to her innate singing voice, her determination and eagerness to learn make many teachers in the school love her. I admire her for her spirit and willpower."

Nguyen Temple