Vietnamese and International artists will perform Gustav Mahler's Symphony No 8 in the largest ever concert on 23 October in Ha Noi.

The concert will be conducted by Honna Tetsuji with a nearly 1,000-member choir and musicians from Viet Nam; Japan; Germany; Norway; France; Sweden; Hungary and Malaysia.

Symphony No 8 was composed in 1906. It is a choral symphony in the true sense of the word and is always performed on a large scale. The first part sets to music the traditional 9th century hymn Veni Creator Spiritus which will be sung in Latin, while the lengthy second part is an ambitious presentation of nearly the entire final scene from Goethe's poem Faust II.

After premiering in 1910 with over 1,000 artists, the name a Symphony of a Thousand soon became attached to the piece, but this was never approved or sanctioned by the composer, said Michael Bosworth, an independent researcher.

Two mixed choirs and a large children's choir from Viet Nam National Symphony and Orchestra (VNSO); Viet Nam National Academy of Music; Japanese choir; Malaysian choir and Ha Noi International Choir will take part.

Meanwhile eight individual vocal soloists including Kurano Ranko (soprano I); Ha Pham Thang Long (soprano II); Einarsson Anna (Alto II); Nyari Zoltan (tenor) and Katzameier Otto (bass) will be accompanied by a 150-member orchestra.

Appearing on the stage will be the largest ever orchestra including VNSO's musicians; 13 musicians from Rouen Conservatory Symphony Orchestra; seven string instrument and clarinet musicians from Norway and five musicians from Japan including one harpist.

The symphony is always challenging for both performers and serious listeners. Even some Mahler fans have difficulty coming to grips with it, according to Michael Bosworth.

The one and a half hour-concert will take place at the National Convention Centre at 8pm. Choir conductor will be Graham Sutcliffe.

(VNS)