Notes From Heaven

OK, a bit late reporting this one, but the story is worth telling, and my thanks to Barefoot for finding it. It is certainly an interesting experiment. Place a top rate, world recognised, violinist in an incongruous position, such as at a busy station, and see how many people realise what they are listening to.

It is a long article. If you want to see the video clips then you will need to follow the link as I still don't know how to add video to my blog, but I will summarise.

The Washington Post managed to convince Joshua Bell to play for just under three quarters of an hour during the middle of morning rush hour at a Metro station in Washington DC. They wanted to see what kind of attention he would get and how many people would stop to listen to something that actually would cost a heck of a lot of money to see in a concert hall. The result was not many people stopped. Only a tiny fraction of those going past could spare even a moment of their lives.

But reading the piece I am filled with conflicting thoughts. At first it seems a pity, sad even, that people do not stop. But then consider the pieces he is playing. These are fine pieces, but they are pieces for those who know music, have grown up with music, who understand music. Classical music is a refined taste, like many things you need to start with the basics. And the majority of those walking past haven't had that experience so all they hear is a "scratchy" violin. I have listened to the clips and there are bits that transcend emotion but there are also bits that don't.

So I am not sure what it actually tells us. That many of us are too wrapped up in our own world? Possibly yes. That an internationally recognised genius is only a genius amongst those who understand the field, yes. But actually we could look at the hope of the story. Some did stop, some stood still and listened, some who had never been touched by classical music were touched for a moment.

Would I have stopped? I hope so.