Fantastic Post Article
good article. i read it in the post saturday morning, but the link is a better since it provides video clips.
Very interesting concept and examination. I only wish there was a video showing the whole thing.
Weingarten is a great writer when he isn't doing that "humor" column. His article on The Great Zucchini (children's magician) is one of the best magazine articles I've ever read.
Actually, this doesn't surprise me in the very least although I would have expected a few more heads turning while rushing to catch a train so as not to be late for work.
Actually, this doesn't surprise me in the very least although I would have expected a few more heads turning while rushing to catch a train so as not to be late for work.Very few people would be catching a train at L'Enfant in the morning. L'Enfant would be their destination. They would only be choosing to be a few minutes late for work.
I hope he wins something for this article. You are correct about the Great Zuchini piece. He really is a great writer. His chats at the Post Online are usually great as well. He has been on a break for a few months, though. They are usually half humor analysis and half advice column. He isn't as funny as he is intelligent and witty.
And his books are great. Loved the article, next they should get Chuck Brown out there with the kids with the plastic buckets. Wonder how that would do.
someone just sent me the link to this article and it blew me away… i was about to post it here, glad i checked first.
made me kinda sad. modern life getting in the way of beauty.
highly recommended reading (although kinda long, i'm now way behind on my work :) )
made me kinda sad. modern life getting in the way of beauty.
highly recommended reading (although kinda long, i'm now way behind on my work :) )
I'm kind of surprised that so many connoisseurs of rock music are taken with the article, which seems kind of snobby to me–though I like Weingarten, too. The difference between a journeyman violinist and a virtuoso player is not so huge that random passersby would "get it."
All it tells me is that most people don't care about classical music. Surprise!
All it tells me is that most people don't care about classical music. Surprise!
im not sure im all that surprised that more people didn't notice him. there are plenty of musicians (granted not always of that caliber) that play in Grand Central and Times Square. And while I may 'notice' them, I'm usually in such a hurry (read: late) that I just pretty much run on by.
If I did have the time, there are a few occasions where I'd have liked to have listened. I usually stop after work to listen to them, especially since I'm rarely in a rush to get anywhere.
If I did have the time, there are a few occasions where I'd have liked to have listened. I usually stop after work to listen to them, especially since I'm rarely in a rush to get anywhere.
Or that people who do care about classical music aren't typically government workers who take public transportation.
Originally posted by dfmcpete:
I'm kind of surprised that so many connoisseurs of rock music are taken with the article, which seems kind of snobby to me–though I like Weingarten, too. The difference between a journeyman violinist and a virtuoso player is not so huge that random passersby would "get it."
All it tells me is that most people don't care about classical music. Surprise!
Originally posted by dfmcpete:I agree. If Bono or Dylan was playing in a metro station, it'd fill with gawkers within 5 minutes.
I'm kind of surprised that so many connoisseurs of rock music are taken with the article, which seems kind of snobby to me–though I like Weingarten, too. The difference between a journeyman violinist and a virtuoso player is not so huge that random passersby would "get it."
All it tells me is that most people don't care about classical music. Surprise!
Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:Even if they were made not to look recognizable?
Originally posted by dfmcpete:I agree. If Bono or Dylan was playing in a metro station, it'd fill with gawkers within 5 minutes.
I'm kind of surprised that so many connoisseurs of rock music are taken with the article, which seems kind of snobby to me–though I like Weingarten, too. The difference between a journeyman violinist and a virtuoso player is not so huge that random passersby would "get it."
All it tells me is that most people don't care about classical music. Surprise!
Originally posted by Sir HC:Um, I hadn't considered this aspect, but it seems moot. It's not as though most people KNOW what world famous violinists look like. I don't think the issue is that this guy was unrecognizable.
Even if they were made not to look recognizable?
Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:I agree. If Bono or Dylan was playing in a metro station, it'd fill with gawkers within 5 minutes. [/QB]But because they loved and/or wanted to listen to the music, or because they recognized Bono or Dylan?! I think only the latter.
-edit-
Woops, didn't read the above two posts.
I disagree – if the violinist had been Josh Groban (ie, recognizable), I bet there'd be more attention.
Originally posted by Bags:The two are inherently connected. More people recognize who Bono or Dylan are then Joshua Bell because more people like the music of Bono or Dylan then that of Bell's. Classical violin music IS NOT popular in American society. I'm not making an excuse or saying it shouldn't be, but that's the solid truth. The issue isn't that "people wouldn't buy time out of their day for beauty and art" so much as it is "most people do not care for the particular art form involved."
But because they loved and/or wanted to listen to the music, or because they recognized Bono or Dylan?! I think only the latter.
Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:I still disagree. I think if you put buskers at L'Enfant Plaza doing Dylan songs – of EQUAL proficiency – but one was Dylan and the other a random musician, the random musician wouldn't get all that much attention. Ditto to some dude doing U2 songs REALLY REALLY well.
Originally posted by Bags:The two are inherently connected. More people recognize who Bono or Dylan are then Joshua Bell because more people like the music of Bono or Dylan then that of Bell's. Classical violin music IS NOT popular in American society. I'm not making an excuse or saying it shouldn't be, but that's the solid truth. The issue isn't that "people wouldn't buy time out of their day for beauty and art" so much as it is "most people do not care for the particular art form involved."
But because they loved and/or wanted to listen to the music, or because they recognized Bono or Dylan?! I think only the latter.
$32 for 45 minutes work isn't all that bad..
The unrecognizability was part of the point – the experiment was to see how people react to art when it's presented out of the context (venue, prestige, etc.) they're used to.
Originally posted by SalParadise:It is good money, but they would need to play for 4-7 hours a day to make a good living.
$32 for 45 minutes work isn't all that bad..