I'd like to think I would have stopped...

[prairiesky]

What do you think would happen, hypothetically, if one of the world's great violinists were to perform incognito before a traveling rush-hour audience of 1,000-odd people?

It's a question that was asked and then investigated by Washington Post recently. The article's here. Well worth reading, as it's a beautiful piece all on its own. And then there

Comments

Thoughts come later

[jowchoo]

I am writing a paper on terrorism.

That was the most disturbing article I have read in ages. Perhaps even more so than all I have had to read recently. It is one thing to question the actions of governments against their own people. It is another thing entirely to think that people are too busy to have awe for beauty.

Also the bit about kids was great.

ditto

[eventhere]

To pretty much everything Jowchoo posted. Except for the paper on terrorism. I'm studying for my last exam.

-I'm pretty confident I would have recognized Josh Bell.
-I'm also pretty sure that I would have looked closely enough at the instrument to see that it was "old" and then wonder at the sound.

That said, it's incredibly disturbing (and yet fascinating) and I will post thoughts later.

Re: Thoughts come later

[prairiesky]

I wasn't disturbed by the article, exactly. Saddened, yes. Not surprised.

Here's what it made me wonder about, though. I think there's something beautiful (more beautiful, or beautiful in a different way) in unacknowledged/unappreciated beauty... Somehow it's all the more real when the music comes without expectations or pretenses. It's not "Joshua Bell, playing on some big stage for people who payed very good money to sit in cushy sheets". It's not about his name, or his style, or the prestige of having heard him; it's beauty that arises in the most unsuspected and unsupportive of environments, and something about that gets me. Like a wildflower instead of an orchid that's kept in a glass box... And those people - the few - who did listen? What a breathtaking thing to experience...

Re: Thoughts come later

[eventhere]

'Tis true.
I do believe that I expected more would stop though - and it is a bit disturbing.
ahhhh - I'm going to go finish studying... and stop thinking about this. For now.

That's Deep

[pleasingleason]

There are many metaphysical, philosophical, and profound things I could say in response to this... but as it is, I'm too sleepy to take the time to do it (ironic, no?!). I will tell you one thing: I am going to be purchasing a Joshua Bell CD very soon (oo, and I'll play it for the chillin's too!).

Also:

[pleasingleason]

I agree that the article is a beautiful pice all on its own too! Enjoyed the intellectual stimulation on a Thurs. evening.

[burdo]

A really nice article. Was it written by a world famous author to see if we'd notice that, too