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Perspective - Bernice Moore - 13-12-2010
FROM JACK, THANK YOU...
THE SITUATION
In Washington, DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest 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, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $200 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
Perspective - Magda Hassan - 13-12-2010
Wow. Thanks for that Bernice. A nice wake up call.
Perspective - Charles Drago - 13-12-2010
Way off.
The study was based on a false premise.
Namely, that average Americans would, under ANY circumstances, be equipped to appreciate the distinctions between a world-class violinist playing a masterpiece instrument while interpreting the canon with extraordinary facility and insight, and some Country and Western hack fiddler sawing away at a plywood student model while butchering a "tune" slightly less melodic than a rib joint fart contest.
Perspective - Magda Hassan - 13-12-2010
I don't believe that many of those forking out $200 to park their bums on a seat in the concert hall would either though Charles. Like synagogue most just go to be seen and the company pays for the ticket.
Perspective - David Guyatt - 13-12-2010
Charles Drago Wrote:Way off.
The study was based on a false premise.
Namely, that average Americans would, under ANY circumstances, be equipped to appreciate the distinctions between a world-class violinist playing a masterpiece instrument while interpreting the canon with extraordinary facility and insight, and some Country and Western hack fiddler sawing away at a plywood student model while butchering a "tune" slightly less melodic than a rib joint fart contest.
:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:
Perspective - Peter Presland - 13-12-2010
Joshua Bell - the video