Swedish fiddler Mats Edén and Vietnamese đàn bầu artist Ngô Trà My came together on Monday 5 August in Hanoi for a unique concert titled Between the Strings, blending folk traditions from Sweden and Việt Nam.
The performance featured the evocative sounds of the đàn bầu (Vietnamese monochord) and the violin, creating a musical tapestry described as both strange and familiar, solitary yet interwoven — a cultural fusion inviting the audience to drift, reflect, and celebrate. The concert took place at 14 Phan Huy Ích Street, Hanli.
Mats Edén, a prominent figure in Sweden’s folk and world music scene, brought with him the musical heritage of Värmland. A master of both the fiddle and the melodeon, Edén is known for balancing avant-garde innovation with deep-rooted tradition. In 2019, he was awarded Sweden’s prestigious Zorn badge in gold for his contributions to traditional music.
Edén co-founded the acclaimed folk ensemble Groupa in 1981 and has composed much of the group’s music. He is currently a professor of folk music at the Malmö Academy of Music, and a member of both the Royal Academy of Music and the Swedish Society of Composers.
His Vietnamese counterpart, Ngô Trà My, is a seasoned soloist and lecturer at the Việt Nam National Academy of Music. She has performed widely as part of both traditional and experimental music ensembles, including The Six Tones and the Asia Traditional Orchestra. She also serves as an advisor to the C asean Consonant Ensemble.
