Founded in 1946, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra is Vienna's leading chamber ensemble, recognised as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. At the concert, the 36-member orchestra will play classical pieces by renowned composers like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, and Johann Strauss II.

"The programme includes small pieces that represent the best of classical music," said musician Ngo Hoang Quan, director of the Viet Nam Performing Arts Centre.

The orchestra will perform under the Japanese conductor Joji Hattori, who has been associate conductor of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra since 2004. He is one of the leading Japanese musicians of his generation. Influenced by both Japanese and Austrian culture, Hattori is respected internationally for his interpretation of the Viennese classics. Apart from his performing activities, he is president of the International Yehudi Menuhin Violin Competition and a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was made an Honorary Member in 2003.

"Together with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, we are really proud to take part in the concert. We will have the wonderful opportunity of sharing our love for beautiful music," said the conductor.

Hattori has enjoyed a varied career as a musician. Starting out as a concert violinist, he moved gradually into directing chamber orchestras and conducting symphony orchestras and finally opera.

"This is a special opportunity for me to perform with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra as well as Hattori," said the concert's Vietnamese guest artist Le Hoai Nam.

Born in Ha Noi, Nam is the second principal violin of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and teaches at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He is also a member of the RTH String Quartet, which exclusively performs and records for Radio Television Hong Kong. After making his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 2011 with the Viet Nam National Symphony Orchestra, he performed throughout the US, Europe and Asia. He was the first Vietnamese person appointed to lead the Asian Youth Orchestra during its tour to the US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. He will perform on a violin made by Raffaele ed Antonio Gagliano in 1846.

The concert will also feature a solo performance by Japanese guitarist Soichi Muraji. Considered one of the most prominent classical guitarists, Muraji has won many contests, including the Spanish Guitar Competition and the 41st Tokyo International Guitar Competition. The concert marks the 75th anniversary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota Classics has been held annually across the Asia-Pacific region for 23 years, enhancing cultural exchange between nations and promoting classical music in Asia.

This year, the Toyota Classics 2012 series will be held from November 4 to 23 in five cities: Ha Noi, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Seri Begawan, and Manila. The concert will kick off at 8pm on November 4. Tickets proceeds will go towards the Toyota Scholarship for Young Vietnamese Music Talents.

(VietNamNet/VNS)