Stop and Hear the Music
Today my father-in-law sent me an inspirational email about an incident that happened a few years ago. As I read the email I did wonder if it was true, but it turns out it is. Here’s the email:
A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
World class violinist Joshua Bell in concert
Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule. A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the an upturned hat without stopping continued to walk. A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.
The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pulled hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.
In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the top musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.
Joshua Bell as he looked playing for change
The irony is that just two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100. This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by The Washington Post (original article here) as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty?
Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
The video of Joshua Bell playing at a D.C. Metro stop
Well, what do you think? Personally I oftentimes miss so much because I have things to do or am so self absorbed that I miss out on what truly matters. And if we’re all honest we all miss out on much of life because of stuff, things, and routine. Maybe like the children in this email we should stop and learn to appreciate the wonderful things this life has to offer. The phrase goes ‘stop and smell the coffee.’ Maybe we need to stop and listen to the music that is playing all around us!
Chris
May, 2010
This story on Joshua Bell made my heart ache a little.
Will remember to look for beauty in this day.
Ivy
We really do need to stop and listen. I am reminded of the story of Elijah and hearing God's still small voice as a whisper…
I guess we all perceive "beauty" in such different ways – I probably would not have stopped that day, I'm not a huge fan of violins but had he been playing a guitar I would have enjoyed that. But none the less I really agree with the need to slow down and catch those special moments.