The Journey of Exploring Music (Hà Nội)

   Three consecutive evenings that move from learning how to listen to actually listening: two workshops clear the path, then a piano recital closes it. Three Vietnamese pianists working on the international stage lead the way, in a small concert hall in Đống Đa.

   The interesting part is the order. Most piano programmes begin and end with the performance; here the performance is the destination. Before you sit down to listen, you are walked through two sessions on how players learn and how they hear — so by the gala night, your ear has been prepared.

   The programme, day by day
— Day 1 — “Créativité”: a music class run on the method currently used in France, led by two artists, Hao Quang (Hào Quang) and Thanh Huong (Thanh Hương), who spent years studying, researching and performing in France
— Day 2 — “Listening Like a Musician”: a workshop exploring the art of listening to and feeling music through a performer's eyes
— Day 3 — “Gala Piano Recital”: an evening of selected piano works that closes the journey

   Créativité is not a lecture you sit through — you go through five activities yourself: feeling rhythm from the inside; discovering music through body movement; making music with the language of the body; improvising and expressing yourself through the voice; and finally bringing voice, body and movement together. Participants also receive gifts from the artists, a certificate of attendance, and the chance to ask questions and talk with them directly.

   It suits school and university students, music teachers, parents, performing artists and anyone who loves music and wants to widen their view of how it is taught and made. If classical music has always felt slightly hard to enter, the workshops-first, gala-last order is about the friendliest door there is.

   Ticket prices have not been announced by the organisers — you need to contact PiaNhissimo Piano directly, the organiser founded by a pianist and music educator.

   Listening is a skill, and skills can be taught. Ready to learn yours again from scratch?