Classical music experiment fails in D.C.
Rush hour subway riders in the Metro, Washington D.C. early this year ignored a special treat: Joshua Bell, America’s greatest violinist busking for change and going unnoticed. The Washington Post conducted this musical experiment to see if beauty would transcend preoccupied commuters. The answer was no, beauty lost. Speaking of beauty, not only did Joshua Bell flawlessly play six classic classical masterpieces on his priceless Stradivari, but his famous, heartthrob-handsome face wasn’t even obscured for the experiment. His talents usually command $1,000 a minute; this January morning his empty violin case netted less than thirty-three dollars for 45 minutes of incognito musical gift.
Since the Washington Post sponsored this experiment, its article reflects the importance of the event with complete coverage, and background, including how the stunt was proposed to Bell over coffee one morning late last year. An online video link is included as is a full-length audio link.
Monday’s Star Tribune broadsheet covered the story on page two, including two photos and reference to the video link, and filled its story with an interview of a local street musician and Bell fan. Monday’s Star Tribune online version also included a short version of the Washington Post story along with a link to its original, complete article and video.