Author: CHIMWEMWE NYIMBA
This fall, my first fall, has been this to me—a symphonic series. As a new F-1 student making Seattle home and creating a community within Seattle University, the experience has been overwhelming. Allow me to take you with me through one of such moments.
A few days ago, a classmate from Russia suggested in the LLM (Master of Laws) class WhatsApp group that we should attend a symphonic series event at the famous Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony. The response from the group was tepid, but that did not deter my curiosity, for two reasons. First, my love for classical music was planted and nurtured by my dad, and attending my first in-person symphonic performance would be in honor of him. Secondly, as an international student, it is important for me to be deliberate about getting to know Seattle and her people. What better way than this?
I dressed up and found my way to Benaroya Hall. If not for the music, I would urge the reader to at least go there for the pictures. The S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium is a beauty, perfect for architecture lovers and Instagram mini-influencers. The first thought that hits you once you enter the auditorium is the feeling of awe and smallness, because of how grand and beautiful the hall is. This is the same feeling one gets when visiting old Vatican-styled chapels.
Before the feeling of awe had completely faded, Xian Zhang walked onto the stage unassumingly, and I really did not give much thought to her presence. I mean, I was still in awe of the place I had found myself in. The program in my hands indicated that she was the music director of the concert and the conductor of the Seattle Symphony. Perhaps I should have paid more attention to her from the start. After some speeches and introductions, and what seemed like a normal open mic comedy night, she took her position and raised her hands, ready to do what she was born to do. To paint a clear picture of what happened next, allow me to digress and say this…
Ever seen a drill sergeant at work? It is well known that in military training, a drill sergeant holds an iconic position: the voice firm, the presence commanding, and the posture unshakable. This embodies discipline and precision. It is a striking experience watching a drill sergeant at work—mixing precision, intensity, and sheer passion. As the body begins to slowly shake with tiny movements of the fingers, a spectator can tell the power boiling within. This is more apparent when looking at how the soldiers pay attention to both the body movements of their master and the powerful voice of their leader. Each command is clear, sharp, and, more than anything, rhythmic. Nothing is left to chance, and one can tell that every detail of the drill has been corrected until perfection is achieved.
Having this picture in mind, replace the drill sergeant and the soldiers with Conductor Xian Zhang and the Seattle Symphony performing Awaken, composed by the esteemed Australian Melissa Douglas. It was no surprise then that they received a well-deserved standing ovation.
Well, that should have been enough for dinner and dessert, and still, I could have gone home satisfied and bragging about my night. But nope—the young Alexander Malofeev on the piano spiced up the show by playing Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, composed by Sergey Rachmaninov. The great hall was absolutely silent. The only things moving for sixty seconds were his gentle, experienced fingers on the piano and our eyes that moved with his fingers before the symphony joined in to break the trance. From then on, he had us eating out of the palm of his hand as he guided us through emotions untold. I would wager that this session was healing to some and a walk down memory lane for most. Alexander’s expertise with the piano could perhaps be compared to that of a master surgeon who has performed so many surgeries that any patient would trust him with their life. When he was done, the echo of applause implored him to perform one more time—and he obliged.
After a short break, the Seattle Symphony, under the guidance of their able conductor Xian Zhang, performed Allegro vivace, Adagio, and more, all composed by Sergey Rachmaninov. I can keep on musing about my night, and I still wouldn’t do justice to it. So, what’s my point here? If you are an international student, be deliberate about knowing your host country and community. Elsewhere, others have argued that education is what happens when one is outside the classroom. I think this is true. Not only was this night a lesson in classical music, but also in networking, architecture, sound quality, and seeing what the human mind is capable of achieving through practice and perfection.
On the networking side, I sat next to a gentleman who randomly started talking to me. He was so gracious in his kind words and in offering his number, telling me to call him if I needed anything in Seattle.
Awaken, Seattle.
CHIMWEMWE NYIMBA | KXSU Music Reporter