Mong Lan was a composer of songs that have been loved by many children of different generations. He was one of the five composers to have a number of songs included in the 50 best songs list for children in the 20^th century. He died on October 22 at the age of 65.

Composer Mong Lan's real name was Nguyen Ngoc Lan, born in 1936 in Vinh Phu northern province. In 1948, he joined the Children's Art Troupe led by composer Luu Huu Phuoc who led him to the path of music. His talent for music was expressed after just one year later when he wrote the song 'I Play with the Swing'. This song is now still sung by many pre-school aged children despite many other songs being composed over half a century. After learning at the Teachers' Training College in Nanning, China, he worked as a music teacher for Lu Son - Que Lam Children's School, a school for children of revolutionary cadres. While teaching, he composed many songs such as 'My Homeland Enlightens,' 'I Love Vietnam's Flag' and 'Our Class is very Joyful.'

In 1957, he worked for the Music Edition Department of Radio the Voice of Vietnam. Taking charge of the music programme for children, he composed many songs for children. He also gave guidance to those who first composed songs for children. Many of them now became popular, including composers Hoang Long, Hoang Lan, Han Ngoc Bich, Tran Duc and Nghiem Ba Hong.

Composer Mong Lan, together with composer Lan Tuat, set up a children's singing group named Nightingale of Radio the Voice of Vietnam. This was a cradle for development of many famous singers such as People's Artist Thanh Huyen and Artists of Merits of Anh Dao, Bich Lien and Thuy Ha. He and composer Tuat also helped other children singing groups in Nam Dinh and Quang Ninh provinces and Haiphong city. Composer Hoang Giai, a member of the Hanoi Composers' Association, said "In 1961, the poem 'Young Shoots Grow' put to music by me was considered bad and could not be used when I sent it to newspapers. But when the song was changed a little by composer Mong Lan, then it became more interesting and he also broadcast it on the radio. This brought me more confidence to continue to compose songs for children up to now."

The melodies of Mong Lan’s songs for children are clear and simple, so they are very easy for children to learn by heart. Mong Lan won prizes in many song-writing contests for children and adults. Composer, Professor To Vu said in short about composer Mong Lan's specific characteristics: "children like singing and adults like listening." His songs like 'Young Age of a Heroic Country,' 'Uncle Ho's Picture,' ' Nguyen Ba Ngoc, a Brave Child,' or 'I am Living in Glorious Days' have really become firm favourites with different generations of children.

By PHU CUONG      
(Sport and Culture newspaper)

 

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