As an experiment, the Washington Post setup a world-class vionlist to act as a street performer. He played some of the violin’s most difficult arrangements perfectly, but did anybody care any more? Sadly, no (the story has a telling video). Be sure to read the full back story as well.
Update on 4/12: Michelle points us to an interesting take from a NYC subway musician, and why Joshua Bell didn’t get much money. Good points.
Comments
I was going to blog about this, but you beat me to it. Great story. 🙂
There is a great response to the Joshua Bell article by a NYC subway musician in her blog: http://www.SawLady.com/blog
She interprets the situation differently from the Washington Post reporters… I thought you might find it interesting.
Wow. Just wow.
Badly Drawn Boy, a Mercury Music Award winning artist, had similar luck about 4 years ago: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2796723.stm
Maybe he needed Paris Hilton standing next to him snapping gum and checking her nails?