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From Our Own Correspondent: The Coconut Viola and an Alpine Party for 36,000

30/08/2013

The Coconut Viola and an Alpine Party for 36,000

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, The Coconut Viola and an Alpine Party for 36,000

Justin Rowlatt on Vietnam's traditional music; Alex Marshall partying in Liechtenstein

Justin Rowlatt on Vietnam's traditional artform known as 'The Music of the Amateurs'; Alex Marshall partying with the Prince of Liechtenstein on its National Day.

Justin Rowlatt goes to meet Vinh Bao, the 95 year old thought to be one of Vietnam's greatest traditional musicians and the last guardian of the genre known as Nhac Tai Tu Nam Bo or the Music of Amateurs. Rowlatt finds its embellished notes and ornamentation a hard listen, but acknowledges his western ear may be limiting his appreciation. He also discovers that Vinh Bao is now a computer whizz, teaching students across the world on Skype. 

Alex Marshall parties with the Royal Family of Liechtenstein and another 36,000 people. First he hears a downbeat, rather depressing speech from the Prince of Liechtenstein acknowledging the realities of economic global recession, to be followed by a lavish, extravagant party.

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