Joshua Bell, busking

[susanwen]

Washington, DC recently passed a bill allowing street musicians to play (and presumably to beg for money) at Metro stations. The Washington Post newspaper thought up a stunt: they asked violinist Joshua Bell to play classical music at a metro station to see if anyone would pause to listen, would toss him a quarter. He accepted the stunt, brought his own Stradivarius, and played for about 45 minutes during morning rush hour. The story (and an audiotape of the music he played) is at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...21.html#video4

[Chris]

I saw this article yesterday. It depressed me for the rest of the day

[susanwen]

No need to be depressed. The project was envisioned by the Post's humor writer, and it was set up to be a humor piece. At morning rush hour, people's time isn't their own. Evening rush hour would have allowed more leeway if someone wanted to stop and listen.

The writer decided not to count a $20 contribution, because it would have skewed the result he wanted to show.

I myself was heartened at the response of children - the children wanted to stay and listen. The article mentioned 72 cents and said that people gave PENNIES. Most likely, someone tossed in all the change he had, which included pennies but wasn't exclusively pennies. The train station chosen for the experiment isn't in the heart of downtown DC - it's an area where most people wouldn't want to linger very long. The writer only mentioned a few people who passed by, and didn't dwell on those people who did stay to listen, who gave money. The article mentioned the one person who gave $5. That means that either other people gave dollars, or that an awful lot of people gave coins. Etc. The article just wasn't complete enough in information - it was intended to entertain, not to report straight facts.

It was an interesting experiment. And, it's a nice reflection on Bell that he'd be willing to go along with such a prank. No stuffed shirt he.

[Joy]

I saw this on TV the other day, very interesting.

[Chris]

No need to be depressed. The project was envisioned by the Post's humor writer, and it was set up to be a humor piece. At morning rush hour, people's time isn't their own. Evening rush hour would have allowed more leeway if someone wanted to stop and listen.

I am aware of the lighthearted tone of the article, but even so, it seems clear that most people had no idea that this was a brilliant musician playing. It's just indicative of what I am already aware of - that most people are incapable of telling the difference between a truly acomplished violinist and some random guy who fiddles on street corners. It shows what a lack of basic knowledge and appreciation of music there is out there. If this weren't true, and everyone didn't know it already, there wouldn't have been any basis for doing a humor piece about it in the first place.

[susanwen]

I think there's a matter of expectation as well. When you're in a hurry to get to work because you snagged two minutes more sleep than you were supposed, and you're hurrying, and jangled because you had two cups of coffee instead of breakfast again, and you see a guy playing music outside a train station with his violin case open for coins, you expect it to be lousy, and you don't take the time to actually hear what he's playing. Maybe.

[Chris]

Oh I agree, but that's another part of it - that we're all so busy rushing around that we just don't have the time to appreciate art. Not that we shouldn't live up to our responsibilities, of course, but it just reminds me of how much we're cutting ourselves off from it these days. For example, how much art and music are being increasingly cut out from school ciriculums, and education is becoming nothing more than aquiring the basic skills needed to hold a job.

[Peter]

Oh I agree, but that's another part of it - that we're all so busy rushing around that we just don't have the time to appreciate art.

"A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare."

[Michael]

I wonder if Joshua Bell was aware that quite recently a number of railway and bus stations and other large public buildings were using piped music of Mozart and Beethoven to keep out stragglers and layabouts? Successfully, it seems.

Michael

[Zevy]

Oh I agree, but that's another part of it - that we're all so busy rushing around that we just don't have the time to appreciate art. Not that we shouldn't live up to our responsibilities, of course, but it just reminds me of how much we're cutting ourselves off from it these days.

There's one thing wrong with what you said, Chris. I don't think that you, I, or anyone else who frequents this forum would rush away from Mr. Bell's performance, even if we would not recognize him. I myself would probably stare in awe at such a performance for as long as my schedule would allow (it was at a venue that would not be conducive to concert style - luxury of intense music listening).

Thanks,

Zevy

[HaydnFan]

I wonder if Joshua Bell was aware that quite recently a number of railway and bus stations and other large public buildings were using piped music of Mozart and Beethoven to keep out stragglers and layabouts? Successfully, it seems.

Michael

Yes, a subway/train/bus terminal on my route home (located in a sketchy area) does this. On my way home, I could whistle along with Mozart as I rushed to catch my train. I am sure the people around me had no clue what the music was or didn't care...most people don't even notice it, it is background music to them...kind of sad.

[HaydnFan]

There's one thing wrong with what you said, Chris. I don't think that you, I, or anyone else who frequents this forum would rush away from Mr. Bell's performance, even if we would not recognize him. I myself would probably stare in awe at such a performance for as long as my schedule would allow (it was at a venue that would not be conducive to concert style - luxury of intense music listening).

Thanks,

Zevy

I saw an interesting spectacle last summer as I was travelling on a different route one day from work. In one of Toronto's busiest subway stations, a street accordian performer played while a soprano (who had clearly stopped to listen on her way somewhere) began to sing along and it became a duet. It was quite wonderful and the soprano was obviously very talented. Many many people stopped to listen and gave a big applause when the ad-hoc performance ended.

[Megan]

The only reason this stunt would have caused me annoyance is that I would not have had time to stand there and listen as I often do when someone is playing the violin. Obviously this situation is not appropriate as folks are hurrying to catch their train.
When I was on a weekend break on a lovely sunny day by the river Avon, a young student was playing pieces on her violin, and I just sat there on a bench by the river and enjoyed , especially the Irish jigs.
I have been to top performances, but I also like to support and encourage students by contributing to their collection.

[Zevy]

I saw an interesting spectacle last summer as I was travelling on a different route one day from work. In one of Toronto's busiest subway stations, a street accordian performer played while a soprano (who had clearly stopped to listen on her way somewhere) began to sing along and it became a duet. It was quite wonderful and the soprano was obviously very talented. Many many people stopped to listen and gave a big applause when the ad-hoc performance ended.

Please, HaydnFan - it's accordion!

www.oliveblossoms.com
http://www.accordionusa.com/ar_02_07.htm#3
http://www.letspolka.com/2007/03/zev...live-blossoms/

[DavidO]

When I was on a weekend break on a lovely sunny day by the river Avon, a young student was playing pieces on her violin, and I just sat there on a bench by the river and enjoyed , especially the Irish jigs.

This Joshua Bell gimmick certainly had an interesting outcome, but I can't say I'm all that surprised. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is what Bell chose to play. A Bach chaconne, great as it is, probably doesn't have the immediately obvious fire in it to be able to capture the attention of ordinary bystanders. Had Bell played, say, an Irish jig, or something like "Flight of the Bumblebee," I betcha more people would have stopped to listen & even been impressed. (The fast stuff tends to impress the untutored, as we all know.) If Maurizio Pollini sits at a piano & plays Chopin's B minor prelude for a general audience, they'll probably just yawn. But if a pianist who isn't even one-twentieth of Pollini's greatness plays some simple barrelhouse blues or boogie, the audience will be totally swept up in it, clapping & yelling their approval.