Korean Job Discussion Forums

[twg]

A long, yet fascinating read about what happened when they took classical violinist, Joshua Bell, and set him up in a subway to perform as a busker.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

I don't much about the guy beyond his name, but his skill was undeniable, even in the small videos that come with the article.

The argument was that we don't recognize fine art without the context it's normally found in. I'm not sure sure about that, as it seems to me that we can appreciate it even without needing to stop and listen for a while. (Which explains why we can enjoy something like 1812 Overture while Bugs Bunny is dropping anvils on Elmer Fudd's head.)

What do you think?

[gsxr750r]

High C was a tad off... not sure I'd dig up a few pennies for it or not.

Give me a call when Snoop Dogg performs.

[RACETRAITOR]

Maybe average people just don't appreciate classical music, no matter how talented.

[tfunk]

I haven't read the article but subways are for people going places. That's the context.

Here's an analogy:

I like burgers. I don't want to eat burgers everyday on holiday in Asia. Do I disrespect burgers? No. There's a time and place for everything.

Hell, if Prince showed up in my bed on a Sunday morning lie in I'd probably push him aside. Do I think Prince is anything less than Gods gift to mankind? No. But, again, there's a time and a place for everything.

[Hollywoodaction]

[The King of Kwangju]

[ChopChaeJoe]

When I pass a musician playing for pocket change, i throw down some pocket change, even if it's just a few 10 and 100 won coins, even if he sucks.

They make city life better.

[Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat]

It takes a lot for me to want to give change- since I play guitar myself (and quite well) I just can't be bothered to give money to some guy playing on the street unless he's quite a bit better than me, or doing a really excellent job. As for other instruments, I can still judge the skill level pretty well (music is music) and unless they're close to professional, I just can't be bothered... I actually find a lot of buskers to be annoying, as they just play stupid songs (like "Yesterday") and not very well at that.

I have given money to outstanding buskers in the past. If I heard a master violinist, I would definitely know something was up (and probably dig up some change). It's not that hard to recognise real quality (given the large amount of mediocre or just plain crappy buskers out there for comparison).

My guess is the subway station is the wrong place. When I get off the subway, I don't give a damn what's going on around me, I just want to get the hell of their as quickly as possible...

[The King of Kwangju]

[Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat]

[khyber]

I wonder if it considered how many people were listening to music of their own on a music player of their own? I mean, when I walk around the subway here, I'd say at least 30% of the people walkin' around have their own music.

I think busking is more complex than this article would have you believe.

[Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat]

[The King of Kwangju]

[cangel]

"It was 7:51 a.m. on Friday, January 12, the middle of the morning rush hour.�

Well, duh!!! They set him up to play during rush hour in Washington DC and very few people stop... WOW what mental genius came up with this scenario. How many people have the time to stop and appreciate the music? Yeah, I've finally got that high paying government gig with all the benefits and well, now it's time to smell the roses. Pure genius. Try setting him up on a weekend, on the mall in from of the White House and see how many people stop and listen-probably a lot. But it's better press to just call Washingtonians uncultured neophytes.

[SuperHero]