[Video] ‘Virtuoso of Vietnamese erhu’ passes away at age 39

Celebrated folk musician Tran Van Xam, who is dubbed as ‘virtuoso of nhi', Vietnamese two-stringed bowed musical instrument, has died from leukaemia at the age of 39.

Music critic and researcher Nguyen Quang Long, a friend of Xam said he didn’t reveal his condition to any friends and still took his junior students to Ha Noi to perform at walking street by Hoan Kiem lake.

The artist also didn’t hesitate to take part in performances and concerts whenever he received an invitation.

Artist Tran Van Xam (right) performs with contemporary violinist Hoang Rob in a concert. Photo courtesy of Hoang Rob

“The sound of his fiddle is wonderfully intoxicating. It comes from a special player who seemed to forget everything around him to devote only to the instrument. For me, he is a true virtuoso of Vietnamese two-chord fiddle," Long said.

The Director of the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Le Anh Tuan, said that he has a great impression of Xam as a young, talented, passionate artist. He is also a very attentive and responsible lecturer.

“We met the last time in June when Xam offered piano accompaniment to his student at a talent competition. When I asked about his health, he said that he was fine,” Tuan recalled.

“He didn’t show any signs of serious illness as he was always optimistic and cheerful. I even decided to add his name to some important concerts held by the academy.

However, one month after the student graduation examination in June, he was hospitalized. And because he didn’t tell others about his health, none of us knew, that's what we regret," Tuan added.

Musician Tran Van Xam (centre) performs with his students from the Net Nhi Cam group on Hoan Kiem lake walking street. Photo: Tintuconline.com.vn

A native of Hai Duong province, Xam left his home village to follow his music passion of playing nhi, or erhu, at the National Academy of Music when he was only seven years old.

In 2012, he overcame more than 2,000 competitors to win the second prize in an international competition for erhu held in Shanghai, China.

Over the past year, despite the burning heat of summer or the chill winter weather, any pedestrian on Hoan Kiem lake walking street could enjoy the charming sound of his erhu and his students from the Net Nhi Cam nhi musical group founded by himself.

Attached to his two-string fiddle for more than 30 years, Xam brought the instrument to a new level - even playing jazz with this gear. In 2005, he became a member of the Phuong Bac Jazz Band, which was later among the winners of the 2005 Music Voting Award.

He also shared the stage with pop singer Tuan Hung and contemporary violinist Hoang Rob in their concerts.

Xam’s funeral was held on Monday at his house in Ham Hy hamlet, Cong Lac commune, Tu Ky district, Hai Duong province.

VNS