Musician playing violin in a Washington DCMetro Station on a cold January morningin 2007.
He played six Bach pieces for about 60 minutes. During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After:3 minutesA middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.4 minutes The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, continued to walk.6 minutesA young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.10 minutesA three year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as 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. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.45 minutesThe 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 $32.1 hour:He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.This is a real story. The Washington Post, as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities, arranged the entire scenario. Playing incognito, no one knew 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 prior to this, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the tickets averaged $100 per seat.The questions raised:In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty; do we stop to appreciate it;do we recognize talent in such an unexpected context?One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be: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 ....... How many other things are we missing?
Comments
Well done James. Nice piece and very true. Enjoy the journey - as they say, eh?