Portrait

“Legendary” Pianist Dang Thai Son

People’s Artist Dang Thai Son was the first pianist to make history  for Asia and became a “legendary” pianist of Vietnam after winning First Prize at the 10th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw (Poland) in October 1980. Since then, he has continued to shine on his artistic path, with performances in 30 countries in Asia, Europe, America and Australia.
At the F. Chopin Villa in Zela Zowa Wola, about 30km from Warsaw, there is a gold-plated board on which the names of winners from the International Chopin competitions were engraved. It is truly a great honour, not only for the winners, but also for their respective countries, to be glorified at such a significant site. Pianist Dang Thai Son from Vietnam had his name carved on the board. All Vietnamese can be proud of the artist’s merit, which marked Vietnam being as the first country in Asia to win such a prestigious prize. Twenty years later, in 2000, at the 14th International Chopin Competition, artist Li Yun Ty from China won First Prize.

“In the arts, a prize is only the beginning step and considered a ticket to continue walking on his artistic path, along which he should show off his consistent spirit, plus a continuously-shining passion for his career,” said People’s Artist Dang Thai Son.

With this thought in mind, Son never “overslept”  during his peak of fame, instead he continued to try his best to further shine. After winning the First Prize in 1980, Son took three more years to study with professor Vladimir Natanson in Moscow, and subsequently with Dmitri Bashkirov.


People’s Artist Dang Thai Son – A “Legendary” pianist of Vietnam. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang/VNP


Pianist Dang Thai Son performs at Hanoi Opera House, in December 1993. Photo: Tran Dinh

Dang Thai Son performs with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra
which is conducted by British conductor F. Peter. Photo: Tran Dinh



 Pianist Dang Thai Son performed after he won First Prize
at the 10th International Chopin Competition held in Warsaw (Poland) in 1980. Photo: VNP’s file


 Russian Professor V.A. Natason and his student, Dang Thai Son, in Moscow, in the 1980s. Photo: VNP’s file


Dang Thai Son was warmly welcomed at the airport when returning to Vietnam after winning the 10th International
Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland in 1980. Right to left: His mother Thai Thi Lien, Ambassador of Poland
in Hanoi Ian  Slivinsky, Pianist Dang Thai Son and Minister of Culture and Information Nguyen Van Hieu. Photo: VNP’s file

Spectators and former teachers of Dang Thai Son presented him with flowers after his performance in 1980.
Photo: VNP’s file.


Pianist Dang Thai Son in December 1993. Photo: Tran Dinh


Dang Thai Son and his sister, Associate Prof. Dang Thu Ha. Photo: Tran Dinh



Dang Thai Son drank tea with his friends on a street in Hanoi in the 1990s. Photo: Tran Dinh



Some albums of pianist Dang Thai Son published in Japan and Canada in the 1980s. Photo: Tran Dinh
 

Along with learning, Son went on tours to 30 countries in Asia, Europe, America and Australia.

Besides playing Chopin’s works, Son also performed outstanding musical pieces by other famous composers, solo or with symphony orchestras led by famous conductors.

Dang Thai Son has recorded in famous recording studios, including CBS Sony, Victor JVC and Melodiya.

Having toured around the world for almost 25 years, and experienced both joy and sorrow, Son considered Montreal, Canada, his second home, however, deep in his heart there is still his boundless love for his native homeland of Vietnam. Though residing overseas, he is proud of being a Vietnamese artist and performing with his country’s pride. He had many trips to Vietnam, bringing along with him a wish of contributing to Vietnam’s development of classical music. He joined many activities to realise that goal, including presenting musical instruments and financial support to the Hanoi Conservatory and the Vietnam Musicians’ Association, granting scholarships to young Vietnamese pianists, and participating in musical events and contests held in Vietnam and Asia.


Dang Thai Son performs solo a piano piece at an event at the Hanoi Opera House, in March 2016.
Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

Moments of “sublimation” when Dang Thai Son plays piano. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

An impromptu performance with one hand by pianist Dang Thai Son. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

During a performance by artist Dang Thai Son at Hanoi Opera House, March 2016. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

Spectators present flowers to artist Dang Thai Son at the end of his performance. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

Dang Thai Son regularly attended the Hanoi International Piano Competition held annually in early September, where he was always invited to be its Honorable President.

We were greatly impressed by the artist when we met him in Hanoi. Being among the world’s outstanding artists, a position that untold people are trying their best to train for, Dang Thai Son still maintained his two states of attitude, i.e. polite, elegant, refined and romantic in musical performance, and ordinary, honest and sincere in lifestyle.


People’s Artist Dang Thai Son. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

People’s Artist Dang Thai Son meets with the media
at the 3rd Hanoi International Piano Competition (Sept. 2015). Photo: Tran Thanh Giang

People’s Artist Dang Thai Son (2nd, from left),
at the 3rd Hanoi International Piano Competition (Sept. 2015).Photo: Tran Thanh Giang
People’s Artist Dang Thai Son poses for a photo with two winners
at the 3rd Hanoi International Piano Competition (Sept. 2015).Photo: Tran Thanh Giang


People’s Artist Dang Thai Son and his mother, People’s Artist Thai Thi Lien. Photo: Tran Thanh Giang


A music lover once commented, “Dang Thai Son plays music by Chopin as his destiny, and that destiny makes him become a super pianist. He truly deserves not only the pride of Vietnam, but he is also a distinguished pianist of the world”.


- "Elegant and smart, especially when performing musical works with non-guided intuition. Hanoi, Dang Thai Son’s birth place is wonderful… the weight of his performing fingers maintains a good balance and poetry…” (Montreal Gazette, April 17, 1993)

-  “Dang Thai Son performing the concerto by Rachmaninoff in C-sharp minor with the orchestra is full of beauty, poetry and simplicity. Strong sounds are mixed with delicacy by his skillful hands…”
(The Japan Time, Tokyo, June 20, 1993)
 

 
Story: Thao Vy - Photos: Tran Thanh Giang, Tran Dinh & VNP’s files


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