Violinist in the Metro

[Jasman0717 9]

Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time.

This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Edited January 16, 2009 by jasman0717

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I heard about that on NPR a few months ago - the Washington Post won a Pulitzer Prize for that story.

[doodlebugg 10]

That was interesting. There are sometimes when I hear them playing in the subway and while I appreciate the music I'm in a rush to get to work or to wherever else I'm going. On the weekends I tend to stand there and actually listen and watch though. A lot of them in Boston just do it more for the practice of playing in front of people moreso than for the money but I usually throw a buck or two in their guitar cases.

[Jasman0717 9]

That was interesting. There are sometimes when I hear them playing in the subway and while I appreciate the music I'm in a rush to get to work or to wherever else I'm going. On the weekends I tend to stand there and actually listen and watch though. A lot of them in Boston just do it more for the practice of playing in front of people moreso than for the money but I usually throw a buck or two in their guitar cases.

As the article asked, what else do we miss

[almaty 19]

good article and a slice of human nature in today's society..he was lucky in boston that he did not get robbed

[Jasman0717 9]

As the article asked, what else do we miss

The homeless dude urinating in the corner, if I'm lucky.

Heck, that is common place in the RP and they aren't even homeless

[Nagishkaw 510]

As the article asked, what else do we miss

The homeless dude urinating in the corner, if I'm lucky.

[jundp 191]

Very interesting.

And it also goes to show you that kids really do see and appreciate more than many people give them credit for! We could take a cue from these kids and stop and just listen for a bit.

[Jasman0717 9]

good article and a slice of human nature in today's society..he was lucky in boston that he did not get robbed

Ain't that the truth