Nha Nhac is a term meaning “elegant music” and describes a broad range of dancing and musical styles performed at Vietnamese royal courts from the fifteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. They were generally featured at the opening and closing ceremonies of anniversaries, religious holidays, coronations, funerals, and official receptions.
One of the numerous musical styles that developed in Vietnam was Nha Nhac, which had a nationwide scope and strong links with other East Asian countries' traditions. It featured numerous singers, dancers, and musicians wearing sumptuous costumes. Large-scale orchestras included a prominent drum section and many other types of percussion instruments, as well as wind and string instruments. Performers were expected to follow each step of the ritual meticulously, so they had to maintain a high level of concentration.
Originally, Nha Nhac was influenced by the Chinese court of the Ming Dynasty. However, the Vietnamese court later adapted a few elements from the music of Champa to make it more intriguing. During the Le Dynasty (1427-1788), Nha Nhac developed and became highly institutionalized and codified. This is because it became an essential part of many ceremonies in the Nguyen court (1802-1945). The role of the Nha Nhac wasn't limited to just accompanying ceremonies, communication with the gods and kings, as well as knowledge about nature and the universe was also enabled by its performance.
Today, Vietnamese court music is performed at several events throughout the year including anniversaries, religious holidays, and celebrations of coronation, death, or official receptions. Highly trained and skilled court musicians perform this music, along with a number of intricate court dances and elaborately designed costumes.
Although Nha Nhac existed in different forms during the early nineteenth century, it did not reach its pinnacle until the last Vietnamese dynasty. When colonial war broke out in the 20th century, the last king of the Nguyen dynasty was overthrown – traditional instruments and songs were destroyed: Nha Nhac almost disappeared from Vietnamese history.
Fortunately, after the war, the Vietnamese people took responsibility for reviving it and a few former court musicians are still playing it, keeping the tradition alive. Many of the forms of Nha Nhac have been preserved in popular rituals and are influenced by Vietnamese music today.
Nha Nhac is a term meaning “elegant music” and describes a broad range of dancing and musical styles performed at Vietnamese royal courts from the fifteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. They were generally featured at the opening and closing ceremonies of anniversaries, religious holidays, coronations, funerals, and official receptions. One of the numerous musical styles that developed in Vietnam was Nha Nhac, which had a nationwide scope and strong links with other East Asian countries' traditions. It featured numerous singers, dancers, and musicians wearing sumptuous costumes. Large-scale orchestras included a prominent drum section and many other types of percussion instruments, as well as wind and string instruments. Performers were expected to follow each step of the ritual meticulously, so they had to maintain a high level of concentration.
Originally, nha nhac was influenced by the Chinese court of the Ming Dynasty. However, the Vietnamese court later adapted a few elements from the music of Champa to make it more intriguing. During the Le Dynasty (1427-1788), Nha Nhac developed and became highly institutionalized and codified. This is because it became an essential part of many ceremonies in the Nguyen court (1802-1945). The role of the Nha Nhac wasn't limited to just accompanying ceremonies: communication with the gods and kings, as well as knowledge about nature and the universe, was also enabled by it.
Vietnam Court Music includes traditional music performed at several events throughout the year. It includes anniversaries, religious holidays, and celebrations of coronation, death, or official receptions. Highly trained and skilled court musicians perform this music, along with a number of intricate court dances and elaborately designed costumes. Both musicians and dancers wore their costumes during their performances.
Nha Nhac has had several different forms, rules, and scales since the early nineteenth century, but it did not reach its pinnacle until the last dynasty of Vietnam when colonial war broke out in the 20th century and the last king of the Nguyen dynasty resigned when feudalism was overthrown and the monarchy collapsed. As a result, traditional instruments and songs were destroyed, and Nha Nhac almost disappeared from Vietnamese history. It was fortunate that after the war, many Vietnamese people took responsibility for bringing it back to life. Nevertheless, a few former court musicians are still playing it. They are continuing to keep the tradition alive. Many of the forms of Nha Nhac have been preserved in popular rituals and are influenced by Vietnamese music today.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/nha-nhac-vietnamese-court-music-00074) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nh%C3%A3_nh%E1%BA%A1c) (https://www.travelsense.asia/nha-nhac-vietnam-court-music-performace-for-the-kings-and-queens/)