Echoes of Hue Royal Court Music: Preserving a Musical Heritage That Lasts Through Time

"Listen to the music, the old soul,

The roof of the palace is difficult to fade on rainy days.

Elegant music, still there tomorrow, Keeps people's hearts even though the days are long gone."

Those verses seem to echo from the past, leading us back to the solemn, majestic sounds of Hue royal court music - a priceless musical heritage that has existed forever with the history and culture of the Vietnamese people. That echo is not only the pride of the ancient capital but also a symbol of the harmony between art, culture and spirituality, the pride of a glorious period in the history of the nation.

The deep and deep sounds of Hue royal court music carry the soul of a golden age in Vietnamese history. Under the Nguyen Dynasty, royal court music was not only an indispensable part of royal ceremonies but also a symbol of power, majesty and the pinnacle of culture and art. Every time those melodies resound, listeners seem to be led into a sacred space, where each beat and each lyric contain solemnity, respect and national pride.

With the foundation of royal court music, ceremonies to worship heaven and earth, pray for rain, worship Nam Giao or royal ceremonies cannot lack solemn, ceremonial music. Music in these ceremonies not only honors gods and ancestors but also serves as a bridge between the real world and the spiritual world, between humans and the universe. The solemn sounds of traditional instruments such as the zither, the moon lute, the drum, the flute... blend together, creating a majestic musical space, bringing a sense of sacredness and respect to the participants.

Image of Hue royal court music with the performance of many musical instruments. Photo: collected

The solemn and solemn melodies of Hue royal court music are not only a means of expressing respect but also a unique work of art. These pieces of music require sophistication and skill in performance, because each melody and each rhythm are designed to reflect the profound cultural and spiritual values ​​of the dynasty. The ancient artisans, with their talent and profound understanding of music, created timeless works, not only to serve the ritual but also to pass on cultural values ​​through many generations.

Over the centuries, Hue royal court music has maintained its value and vitality. However, in the context of modernization and globalization, the preservation and promotion of this heritage is facing many challenges. Elderly artisans are gradually disappearing, while the young generation is increasingly less interested in this traditional cultural value. This poses an urgent need for education, teaching and preservation of royal court music, in order to preserve and promote this musical heritage in the future. Traditional classes, art competitions and performance programs are organized with the aim of preserving and developing Hue royal court music.

Hue Royal Court Music - Vietnamese court music was honored as a masterpiece of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2003. Photo: Nhat Anh/VNA

Not only maintaining traditional values, Hue royal court music also needs to be combined with modern elements to suit the new era while still retaining its unique identity. Digitalization projects of royal court music, performing in combination with other art forms, or incorporating royal court music into educational programs are solutions being implemented so that Hue royal court music can continue to exist over time.

In the flow of history, Hue royal court music still echoes, like the heart of the Vietnamese people, like a reminder of a glorious period in the past. Preserving and promoting the value of Hue royal court music is not only to preserve a precious musical heritage but also to preserve the national cultural identity, to honor the traditional cultural values ​​that our ancestors left behind. Amidst the fluctuations of time, Hue royal court music still stands firm, as a symbol of longevity, of cultural strength and pride of the Vietnamese people.

Hoang Anh