De Anza’s Visual and Performing Arts Center was brought to life with classical music performed by Walter Asvolinsque, a Brazilian concert pianist and former student of De Anza instructor Anna Poklewski, on May 21.

Applause greeted Asvolinsque’s entry into the room, but silence fell in the auditorium at 7:35 p.m., when he sat down at his piano. Soon an assortment of compositions graced the ears of the audience.

The show began with the pensive Sonata in E flat major by D. Scarlatti which, when in Asvolinsque’s interpretation, felt like an internal battle solved with intense thought. It is not surprising that Asvolinsque has received many awards. “Best Interpreter of the music of Villa-Lobos,” “Best Interpreter of Chopin’s Music” and “Musician of the Year” are a few of the titles that this dynamic musician has earned.

Like many live performances, slight disturbances such as the troublesome toddler and the photographer’s click detracted from the show, yet they were beaten down by the emotional impact of the music. There were points where the quiet hint of a mourning infant blended well with the robust sound of the piano washing over the audience in melancholy melodies that expressed neglect and sadness.

After a short intermission, audience members were greeted by a perfectly executed “Carnaval Op.9” by 19th century German composer Robert Schumann. The work consists of a collection of short pieces representing masked revelers at a carnival. While Asvolinsque played, the audience kept from applauding in between pauses, as the work was considered to be one piece, but they clearly ached to show their appreciation. As if in response to their probable desire, the performance ended.

The applause sustained itself for an entire minute. During this time Asvolinsque was presented with flowers as his audience yelled the exclamations of “encore” and “bravo” while he walked off the stage. He walked back onto the stage and bowed, nonverbally proclaiming, “That is all.”

Asvolinsque considers himself a mere conveyance of the work that he was performing.

“The performer is the messenger of what the composer wrote, so you’re really an instrument yourself,” Asvolinsque said.

What an instrument Robert Asvolinsque was. Total cost well spent: two hours, thirty minutes, and $10 in benefit to the De Anza College Piano Foundation.

After the performance, Asvolinsque’s mother, Nize Asvolinsque, spoke to me through her niece: Inda Brink; “When he plays, I feel transported and spiritually lifted. I feel very blessed that he has such a talent. He’s been interested in music since [he was] 3 … [he] went to the conservatory at 8 years of age, and came to De Anza as a college student … Anna Poklewski saw him as a diamond in the rough, and she polished him.”