Di, 08.07.2025, 20:00 Uhr

Đàn bầu and beyond

Venue: SENDER e.V.i.G, Billhorner Deich 126, 20539 Hamburg The “Learning Đàn Bầu” project was founded and is led by composer Tam Thi Pham. Funded by the Hamburg Open Online University, it was launched in 2019 and is still ongoing. The project has attracted the attention of music lovers not only in Germany but also in Vietnam and the United States. The đàn bầu is a traditional Vietnamese instrument, considered one of the most unique in the world due to its simple structure, distinctive playing technique, and method of sound production. During these events, we will discuss the role of the đàn bầu in Vietnamese folk and traditional music, as well as some extended techniques developed by two đàn bầu players, Tam Thi Pham and Ngô Trà My. Following the discussion, there will be a concert featuring both artists, joined by Jan Wegmann on modular synthesizer. Bio: Tam Thi Pham (* 1990) is a Vietnamese multimedia composer, improviser, and performer based in Hamburg, Germany. By merging technology and tradition, poetics and politics, and the sonic and visual realms, Pham creates an integrated mode of expression where music and performance are indivisible parts. Pham has delved into the unique sounds and extended techniques of the dan bau, a traditional Vietnamese instrument, incorporating them into free improvisation and composition. Her works have been featured at festivals in Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Hungary, Germany, France, and Serbia…. demonstrating the wide-reaching appeal of her innovative compositions. Jan Wegmann (*1992 in Stuttgart) is a multimedia artist, composer and performer from Hamburg. He is a founding member of multimedia art collective GlitterBox and the free improvisation group Bunte Luft Trio. Since 2025 he is part of the organizational team of Hörbar e.V., a concert series for experimental music in Hamburg. Under the artist name Herbsthauch he releases experimental ambient and drone music. Ngô Trà My is a distinguished Đàn Bầu instructor at the Viet Nam National Academy of Music and is recognized as one of Viet Nam's leading Đàn Bầu soloists. In 2024, she was honored with the national title of Meritorious Artist. Ngô Trà My’s professional endeavors encompass teaching, performing, and researching traditional, experimental, and contemporary music. Throughout her career, Ngô Trà My has performed in over 40 countries, participating in numerous significant cultural events such as the International Music Festival, Viet Nam Culture Days, and the Internationale New Music Festival. Through these international engagements, she has played a pivotal role in showcasing the unique sounds of the Đàn Bầu and promoting the richness of Vietnamese traditional music on the global stage. Photos by @thangible.art and @Tống Khánh Hà Event supports by Hamburg Open Online University