What have we become...? - DodgeBoard.com

LordFoulsBane · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 12:36 AM

I found this on another board. It is a very long read, but one everyone should. When the phrase "... stop and smell the roses" no longer has meaning, what does this say about the world we live in? I've thought about this and had to ask myself, would I have stopped to listen? I can honestly answer... maybe.

The most telling part of the whole article is what we should learn from the children who passed- Stop and smell the roses

"There was no ethnic or demographic pattern to distinguish the people who stayed to watch Bell , or the ones who gave money, from that vast majority who hurried on past, unheeding. Whites, blacks and Asians, young and old, men and women, were represented in all three groups. But the behavior of one demographic remained absolutely consistent. Every single time a child walked past, he or she tried to stop and watch. And every single time, a parent scooted the kid away."

Pearls Before Breakfast - washingtonpost.com

TexKan · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2007, 06:10 AM

Interesting piece - sad ain't it? Some of the comments left by readers were interesting as well. Anything from gee what beautiful music, you coulda used less space, the Bible says - blah blah blah............... to gee wonder if I woulda stopped - really got me to thinkin!

Yep good find therre LFB

TigerEyes · #3 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 01:33 PM

Either that, or learn who Joshua Bell is. I stage-managed a recital of his many years ago. He was kind of a prima donna. Gorgeous floppy hair, though. I wonder if I still have his autograph...

TexKan · #4 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 01:43 PM

Are you saying he has no talent? Seems like perhaps you don't feel he deserves the talent he obviously has. Prima Donna???......... Kinda harsh words - I didn't know who he was but certainly enjoyed the context of the experiment. It was interesting - the players don't have to have personality to be a part of the process.

TigerEyes · #5 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 01:56 PM

He's an extremely talented player. For those of you who don't know, he was the violinist that recorded the music in "The Red Violin" and was also a body-double in many of the scenes. I believe he studied with Jascha Brodsky at the University of Indiana, but had already made a name for himself before that point. I'd even go so far as to say his recordings of the Gershwin Preludes are among my favorite recordings.

However, despite that talent, he does think a bit too much of himself. Many talented musicians do. Take, for example, Kathleen Battle. Glorious soprano, and yet managed to get fired from the Metropolitan Opera.

Joshua Bell is good and all, but if I had the opportunity to hang out with him for an afternoon, I wouldn't. My favorite performers are those that fully recognize they're human beings, just like the people they play for. Gil Shaham and his sister Orli, Hilary Hahn, Dawn Upshaw, and Radu Lupu are among my favorites.

Further, if I'd walked through there while he was playing some of his selections, I would have kept walking. Some of those pieces I utterly abhor. Art and beauty to some people, but not to me.

In addition, having worked with him previously, I feel qualified to have on opinion on whether or not he's a prima donna. And he is.

TexKan · #6 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 02:04 PM

Well they say experience is the best teacher. Sorry to hear that he has a dark side......... but then most of us do. Can't be all to all people........... just sorta how life is. He sure plays purty tho. I like music - most kinds within reason. I woulda stopped to listen but then I like to stop and listen to any street musician - I just think if they came out on the street to play, even if I don't think they are very good it's just good manners to acknowledge them. No sense bein snooty. If they are good I'll leave money - if not, I figger they need to get a job like me.......

PS - thanks for explaining that barbed opinion. I learn sumthin new everyday - I know some don't think so - but see I already learned sumthin new bout you!