Bell Metro
May 15th, 2007 by ChrisI just stumbled upon this wonderful article by Gene Weingarten in the Washington Post Magazine of April 8, 2007. In January, the paper organized a “stunt” with Joshua Bell, the world-famous violinist, to play for an hour at a D.C. subway station during morning rush hour. The results are heartbreaking (in a good way) and I think you will enjoy this article, especially if you are a musician of any sort.
“It was a strange feeling, that people were actually, ah . . .”
The word doesn’t come easily.
“. . . ignoring me.”
Bell is laughing. It’s at himself.
“At a music hall, I’ll get upset if someone coughs or if someone’s cellphone goes off. But here, my expectations quickly diminished. I started to appreciate any acknowledgment, even a slight glance up. I was oddly grateful when someone threw in a dollar instead of change.” This is from a man whose talents can command $1,000 a minute.
May 16th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Oh, Chris, thank you for pointing out this article. I read the whole thing; it was wonderful. We have seen Bell three times in the area, the last time just a few months ago. He truly is wonderful, and exactly how they describe him.
It’s also good just to hear from you! Love, Mom
June 8th, 2007 at 3:12 am
Man that was an awesome article!! Awesomely depressing, but awesome nonetheless.