SEATTLE—Making music in a high-caliber orchestra for decades is a gratifying job. Dave and Judy Kriewall are retired musicians from the Seattle Symphony, and they experienced Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall on April 3.
“My wife played flute in the Seattle Symphony for many years. And I played French horn,” said Mr. Kriewall.
“I’m listening to the orchestra. It’s so light and clear. The registrations and the Chinese flavor of it ... is different from the Western culture a bit. But it’s very beautiful,” commented Mr. Kriewall.
“It’s very inspiring to see this life in young people and their dedication and their passion,” he said.
“Just beautiful dance—a beautiful picture of Chinese culture,” said Mrs. Kriewall.
Classical Chinese dance requires that artists train rigorously. This dance form focuses on bearing, form, dance technique, and tumbling techniques.
“I envy their flexibility and their work ethic. I wish I was young again,” Mr. Kriewall laughed.
“Beautiful. So graceful. Such beautiful costumes and things,” Mrs. Kriewall added.
Well, I think we’re lost without tradition. We’ve become unmoored. And you see that happening especially in Western culture. Now I see it in Chinese culture, too,” said Mr. Kriewall.
“Communism takes everything away from people. You have no personal property. You don’t even have your own thoughts anymore. It all has to be obedient to the government. And it’s not freedom,” said Mr. Kriewall.
The couple also shared that Shen Yun has reminded them of the importance of having beauty in the world.
Mr. Kriewall shared that Shen Yun has shown him “hope that we can return to a more normal, human, respectful culture [and] return to beauty and away from the ugliness and the materialism of our current culture.”
