on โ21-01-2014 06:44 PM
"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 1,100 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, and 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 most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a 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?" Share if you took the time to read this
on โ21-01-2014 07:20 PM
I wonder if this violinist would be ignored ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8Fa_EUQqY
on โ21-01-2014 07:20 PM
Marina Prior was a busker when at Uni...including in the underground of Flinders St station, which was disgustingly dirty...I heard her once...she wasn't well known yet, but had talent, and noone really listened as they rushed past.
โ21-01-2014 07:22 PM - edited โ21-01-2014 07:24 PM
i am not a fan Poddster...she made her name on a sexy image rather than actual talent...
but I think that is what you mean? Stop and look at a girl in a bikini?
on โ21-01-2014 07:25 PM
on โ21-01-2014 07:25 PM
Bingo ๐
But I still enjoy her
on โ21-01-2014 07:27 PM
And there is no doubt that the would look good in a bikini as well
โ21-01-2014 07:30 PM - edited โ21-01-2014 07:31 PM
VM will be competing at the Olympics in a skiiing event for Thailand
warmly dressed I hope
on โ21-01-2014 07:31 PM
Jimmy Hendrix would play a stadium, then stand on a street corner the next day and play..why? Because he loved to play music......
I also am was a violinist, and would have stopped without a doubt.... greatness dosen't need a suit and tie.....it just is......
on โ21-01-2014 07:46 PM
Scantily dressed may have some advantages over some male skiers at least they would have their eyes on her instead of concentrating on where they were going. Perhaps some female skiers too I guess
on โ21-01-2014 07:50 PM
@*mrgrizz* wrote:seriously who likes violin music?
Me. It gets me in the solar plexus!
And makes me cry. I love being all sentimental.