I wish I could have been there
Our CEO sends out daily Thoughts on a variety of topics; some are anecdotes while others contain important company news; because I never know which it'll be, I make sure to read them all.
Today's was about stopping to appreciate beauty; it featured a true story about the master violinist Joshua Bell playing complex classical pieces, incognito, in a Washington Metro station for 45 minutes. He played on a Stradivarius created in the 1710s during the height of Stradivari's proficiency.
If I had been there, I know - I *know* - I would have stayed for the whole concert. Even if I were on my way to work... I would have lied and said I was late because trains were late or something. I wouldn't have recognized Joshua Bell, but I would have stayed.
One of the things I miss most about taking violin lessons was the private concerts; my teacher was the concertmaster for the local symphony orchestra, and he was Good. Before my lesson would start, I'd talk him into playing pieces he was working on for the symphony as inspiration for me. I'm pretty certain he saw though me, but he'd play anyway. It was inspiring & powerful, but I also knew that no matter how much I practiced, I'd never make the instrument come alive like he could. Eventually, I quit trying.
I wouldn't have been able to leave Mr. Bell's social experiment of a concert because
I would have been drawn to that kind of powerful music.
Today's was about stopping to appreciate beauty; it featured a true story about the master violinist Joshua Bell playing complex classical pieces, incognito, in a Washington Metro station for 45 minutes. He played on a Stradivarius created in the 1710s during the height of Stradivari's proficiency.
If I had been there, I know - I *know* - I would have stayed for the whole concert. Even if I were on my way to work... I would have lied and said I was late because trains were late or something. I wouldn't have recognized Joshua Bell, but I would have stayed.
One of the things I miss most about taking violin lessons was the private concerts; my teacher was the concertmaster for the local symphony orchestra, and he was Good. Before my lesson would start, I'd talk him into playing pieces he was working on for the symphony as inspiration for me. I'm pretty certain he saw though me, but he'd play anyway. It was inspiring & powerful, but I also knew that no matter how much I practiced, I'd never make the instrument come alive like he could. Eventually, I quit trying.
I wouldn't have been able to leave Mr. Bell's social experiment of a concert because
"Most people, they play music; they don't feel it," Tindley says. "Well, that man was feeling it. That man was moving. Moving into the sound."
I would have been drawn to that kind of powerful music.
posted by Amy McWeasel @ 2/13/2009 09:35:00 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
I saw Joshua Bell perform with the Cleveland Orchestra a few summers back; probably Mozart, I think.
Cello has always been my favorite. I'd love to get Yo-Yo Ma slightly tipsy (just so that there's no pretentiousness) and then get him to play "Better or Worse" with stuff like Meat Loaf and the School of Rock soundtrack (e.g., does a lone cello sound 'Better or Worse' than the original?)
Beauty, indeed.
My daughter has taken violin lessons, for 5 years. Her teacher is wonderful, and I'm no music expert, but I know I love to hear them play together. It is always a treat to go to attend the lesson, to hear them play. What an amazing instrument!
I would have stayed, too.
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