often i get so busy about my daily activities that i forget to just slow down and enjoy life around me. there is always something to rush to - and i hate rushing. i read this article from the Washington Post about a year ago and it came to my mind again last night.
a famous violinist, Joshua Bell, who's concert tickets sell for at least $100. his violin was crafted in 1713 and is worth 3 million dollars!
just to see what would happen, he was asked to play in a subway, busking. the article is a little long, but well worth reading, and the clips are worth watching. a nice little experiment. i think one person recognised him, but most people walked on by.
He'd clearly meant it when he promised not to cheap out this performance: He played with acrobatic enthusiasm, his body leaning into the music and arching on tiptoes at the high notes. The sound was nearly symphonic, carrying to all parts of the homely arcade as the pedestrian traffic filed past.
Three minutes went by before something happened. Sixty-three people had already passed when, finally, there was a breakthrough of sorts. A middle-age man altered his gait for a split second, turning his head to notice that there seemed to be some guy playing music. Yes, the man kept walking, but it was something.
A half-minute later, Bell got his first donation. A woman threw in a buck and scooted off. It was not until six minutes into the performance that someone actually stood against a wall, and listened.
Things never got much better. In the three-quarters of an hour that Joshua Bell played, seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance, at least for a minute. Twenty-seven gave money, most of them on the run -- for a total of $32 and change. That leaves the 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious, many only three feet away, few even turning to look.
it can be watched here.
