Author Unknown
The scene
Washington D.C. Metro Station on a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about an hour. During that time, approximately two thousand (2,000) people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After 3 minutes, a 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 minutes: a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes: a 3-year-old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid looked at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.
Several other children repeated this action.
Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.
45 minutes: the musician continues to play. Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while.
About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.
He collected $32.
After 1 hour, the musician finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed, no one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
No one knew this but 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 before Joshua Bell sold out 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 people's priorities.
The questions
In a commonplace environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in 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?
What Are You Missing?
Related Posts:
The Pickle JarAuthor Unknown
The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents’ bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar.
As a small boy … Read More- The PencilAuthor Unknown
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.
"There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never f… Read More
- Signs From Above?Author Unknown
"Looking for a sign from God? This is it."
"No God-No Peace. Know God-Know Peace."
"Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!"
"Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins."
"Searching for a new lo… Read More
- Roses At ChristmasAuthor Unknown
Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his back yard in the snow. Bobby didn't wear boots; he didn't like them and anyway he didn't own any. The thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them and they did a poor… Read More
- Meanest Mum In The WorldBy Bobbie Pingaro
I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you can gue… Read More
0 comments:
Post a Comment