"Nha nhac cung dinh Hue" (The refined ceremonial music in imperial palace in Hue) is the kind of music originating from imperial palaces in the feudalism time. It was played in special occasions (King coronation, King decease and other solemn festivities) during the time of Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnam.
"Nha nhac cung dinh Hue" was recognised as a masterpiece which is orally passed down and as an immaterial heritage of human beings by UNESCO in 2003. In UNESCO's appraisal, it was said that "among the age-old traditional genres of music, only Nha nhac could reach the national level".
"Nha nhac" has been developed from the 8th century in Vietnam. Until Nguyen Dynasty, Nha nhac cung dinh Hue" grew ripe and perfect. Together with the cultural atmosphere of Drum and Gong in Tay Nguyen, this is an immaterial heritage officially recognised by UNESCO. Nha nhac cung dinh Hue is an inheritance, from the time when orchestras and many musical instruments of imperial palace appeared in the form of carved works on pedestals of pagodas' pillars in Ly Dynasty (the centuries XI - XII) until the time when the last king of Nguyen Dynasty has abdicated in the middle of the century XX.
History of the Court music of Hue
It is officially formed with the dynasty foundation from beginning of the XIXe century. Nevertheless, the first bases had already begun since the XVIIe century under the Nguyễn lords at the time of their conquests in the Đàng Trong (The South of the Vietnam). From the beginning, it carried already in itself kinds, elements and elites of the Đàng Ngoài (the North of the Vietnam) musicology that Đào Duy Từ brought while accompanying lord Nguyễn.
The most prosperous period of the Court music of Huế is between the first half of the XIXe century and the time under king Tự Đức (1848-1883).
Afterwards, it fell in degradation when the French colonizing began their aggressive war. And after the Revolution of August 1945, it totally disappeared with the Vietnamese monarchy.
The years 1947-1948, thanks to mustering Court artists from the king Bảo Đại time of Lady Từ Cung (King Bảo Đại's Mother), some kinds of the Court music are continued. Under Ngô Đ́nh Diệm, the authority of Saigon financially supported performances of two groups Ba Vũ and Cổ nhạc Đại Nội (Former music of the forbidden Court), representatives of the Vietnam traditional music while welcoming chiefs of State and diplomatic delegations.
Afterwards, group Ba Vũ met financial difficulties, the Court music was threatened to disappear. The years 80, it recommenced to be interested by the Ministry of Culture and local authorities. Until the years 90, it entered into the renaissance period. Certain kinds of Court music were increased one after another, with the foundation of the Traditional Arts Group of Huế and Theater of the traditional Court music of Huế. So far, this art kind already was introduced in several countries of the world. Nevertheless, the today Court music of Huế just remains a part of the former one; it is nevertheless a precious heritage, gasoline of knowledge and competence of the Vietnamese art.
