Essay #25 (Older Than Pushkin)

The orchestra members took turns craning their necks to see who the visitor was standing outside their rehearsal. They were working on a Turkmen composition, but mostly they were counting the minutes until break time. Andrei and I stood outside giggling about how old their stands were and how bad the oboe player was. When he was in the group it was much better, he claims. Andrei graduated from the Conservatory last year and has a professional job in the city now. He is one of few people I’ve met who understand how far downhill the music program is sliding. He was the last Russian accepted into the school, and perhaps it’s only a matter of time until Western instruments are eliminated there along with the people.

At break, Andrei introduced me to the conductor, an older, balding man with charisma and control. Perhaps a routine for guests, he started gushing about how fantastic the Turkmen composer they were playing was, how close to the president this composer was, and how so tragically he died at only 43, wasting so much talent. Possibly due to language, or maybe general attitude, I then blurted out “older than Pushkin”. Hmm, now when I decided on the comment, it seemed like such a fantastic idea.

He froze and stared at me for a second before answering, “Yes, by six years,” and he gave me a sly smile. Had I broken the code?! Turkmen composers left the conversation immediately, and we moved on to what standard repertoire I’ve played. Could it be that Pushkin is somehow the secret word? I’d insulted him, and yet somehow we had an automatic understanding.

I was asked to listen to rehearsal, and he even had me introduce myself to the group. He asked, “Do you know the Beethoven Serenade? Let’s have you come in and play with us. What solo would you like to prepare?”

This is the most professional I’ve felt since arriving here. I’m not really an English teacher--I’m not a methodology expert. I’m a violinist who speaks Russian. I’m an orchestral player and a music librarian. When Peace Corps tells us to use the skills we have, I started with a music club for English speakers and an English talent show. Who knew I should really be soloing with a small conservatory group, planning a children’s concert series through local sponsors, and organizing and improving the music school’s library. The week I spent in Ashgabat was intended to teach us grant-writing techniques and show us successful project ideas. For me, it drove me away from English and revealed my own strengths and fields of expertise. I finally have a purpose!