The Court music of Huế is the last heritage of
Court music of Vietnam. It carries in itself all elites of the
Vietnamese Court musicology, formed and developed for more than
thousand years.
The Court music of Huế
It
is officially formed with the dynasty foundation from beginning of the
XIXe century. Nevertheless, the first bases had already begun since
the XVIIe century under the Nguyễn lords at the time of their conquests
in the Đàng Trong (The South of the Vietnam). From the beginning, it
carried already in itself kinds, elements and elites of the Đàng Ngoài
(the North of the Vietnam) musicology that Đào Duy Từ brought while
accompanying lord Nguyễn.
The
most prosperous period of the Court music of Huế is between the first
half of the XIXe century and the time under king Tự Đức (1848-1883).
The Court music of Huế is showing
Afterwards,
it fell in degradation when the French colonizing began their
aggressive war. And after the Revolution of August 1945, it totally
disappeared with the Vietnamese monarchy.
The
years 1947-1948, thanks to mustering Court artists from the king Bảo
Đại time of Lady Từ Cung (King Bảo Đại's Mother), some kinds of the
Court music are continued. Under Ngô Đình Diệm, the authority of
Saigon financially supported performances of two groups Ba Vũ and Cổ
nhạc Đại Nội (Former music of the forbidden Court), representatives of
the Vietnam traditional music while welcoming chiefs of State and
diplomatic delegations.
Afterwards, group Ba Vũ met financial
difficulties, the Court music was threatened to disappear. The years
80, it recommenced to be interested by the Ministry of Culture and
local authorities. Until the years 90, it entered into the renaissance
period. Certain kinds of Court music were increased one after another,
with the foundation of the Traditional Arts Group of Huế and Theater of
the traditional Court music of Huế. So far, this art kind already was
introduced in several countries of the world. Nevertheless, the today
Court music of Huế just remains a part of the former one; it is
nevertheless a precious heritage, gasoline of knowledge and competence
of the Vietnamese art. Therefore,
November 2003, she is recognized by the UNESCO on the list of the intangible and oral heritages of humanity.
