Computer problems and being very busy have meant no entries on life in China..... no warped, verbose stories about bad music or observations of the people I've been meeting. I miss writing about it and sharing it with those of you that are interested.
Well.... an update of things that have occurred in the last month and a bit.
Following the mess that was so verbosely portrayed in the Kazakh Koncert Kapers entry, I was approaching another concert request with fear and apprehension. However this proved to be unfounded as it was Classical Music from an internationally renowned Pianist and his Mother that was an accomplished Violinist. I decided to treat some of my adult class to the concert, as they had been so generous to me over the time I was teaching them and I knew many of them enjoyed classical music. So I bought tickets for Lucy and her daughter; Lou and his wife, who is very pregnant; Rose; and Renae, who is a teacher of deaf children here in Karamay.
The day of the concert was a very busy one for me and I had thoughts of pulling out at the last minute. I'm glad I didn't listen to that part of my mind.... the part that withdraws from those around me from time to time..... I went to the concert with my class, some of my workmates and friends. We couldn't all sit together which at first seemed a disappointing thing to me. Rob and Krystal sat with most of the others, such as Pia, Lucy and her daughter, Lou and his wife and Rose. I'm glad I wasn't there with them. Rose arrived 15 minutes late and then proceeded to answer her mobile phone continually throughout the night. To any of you that know me well, you'd know what my response would be..... broken glass, cracked circuit boards and alot of steam.... most of it coming from my ears! Yes, I'm a little intolerant of the things.... especially at a concert!
In her defence, in retrospect there was a good reason for her to be receiving calls. She was late to the concert because she was at her Fathers wedding. She left it to come to the concert and was hoping she would not be missed for two hours. (Kazakh weddings go for ages). She couldn't explain to me on the phone that she had the wedding to attend, so she did the skip out trying to satisfy everyone. I felt so guilty about getting angry..... my first lesson presented to me.
The performance was by Li Jian on Piano and his Mother, Yu Li Na, playing the Violin. Yu Li Na has been teaching music in China for 45 years, which gives you an indication of her age. The atmosphere was very different to the Kazakh concert of the previous week. There was an aire of sophistication and calm anticipation. I sat next to Renae, separated from the others we had come with. Let me explain something..... mmmm...... this is real for me..... not just writing.
It was a great privilige to sit beside a woman of such refined elegance and beauty for this experience. I sat for a large part of the time with my eyes closed, feeling the music flow through me and in a state of blissful calm as only classical music can induce. Apparently the power failed for a few minutes during this time, but I was unaware.... lost in the journey of the Yellow River as the music swept me along. Then something told me to open my eyes.
I turned my head to see Renae in a soft lit profile. Her eyes were gently closed, her eyelids fluttering lightly as her mind too, was being swept along with the flow of the music. She had such a serene ambience about her. A light smile crept onto her lips and she exhaled any remnants of stress she was harbouring. I sat for what seemed like hours, just observing her elegant beauty.
The music softened and her eyes opened slowly. She peered to her left and I met her gaze. She smiled at me, touched my hand and then averted her eyes to the stage. It was a perfect moment..... seered in my minds eye and unable to be communicated adequately to anyone else. Just two people sharing a passion for something..... sharing something beautiful.
I stepped outside after the ovations were done. I wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep..... No post mortems of the show..... no idle conversation or fussing about where to go. I wanted to continue the escapism. I saw Renae onto transport home.
