I only reply to Bruce's posts!!
This example is of the ages. It's the same in any medium and
probably touches our hobby most obviously when we're all carrying on
about new people not coming into the hobby for whatever reason and
getting all worked up because 'young people' just don't seem to hold
our values so dearly, damn them. Why can't they love George Sanders
like I do?
I think there is a percentage of people (always were/always will be)
who appreciate and get 'art' in most ways. How anal they are about
quality and such will always vary as tastes are so subjective.
Clearly Scott Walker is the finer singer for he touches on subjects
that we can all most perfectly understand and when he sings the word
hurt, you feel the kick to the gut/heart. Anybody with a differing
opinion is an imbecile! Clearly, I say.
That said, it also comes into play when people talk about nobody
watching old films or black and white features. Sure, most younger
people find them dull and staged and antiseptic and as unreal as
things get. But there always have been that small percentage of
people who, at all ages, get into great films and great books and
great art and always will because they're affected by it very
strongly. And they tend to be passionate about their tastes. Don't
cross them! And some of them collect movie posters, believe it or
not. I have no idea whether this is a chemical thing or where it
comes into play in the nature/nurture realms but that's how I see
this universal constant.
Plus, you don't have to be a perfectly trained musician playing a
highly adored piece of music to move people. That can be a little
too clinical and smarmy/stuffy for me. That's one of the biggest
mistakes people make and what leads so many to miss so much. There
is great value in many forms of amateur expression as well. A
wonderfully trained musician (or artist) can certainly astound with
his/her prowess but often they cannot move people emotionally with
original work or compositions, just rote repetition of magnificent
work. They know the rules but are unable to step clear of them and
breathe a bit.
It works in all and many wonderful ways.
I certainly would have stopped but, depending on the piece, I can't
say I would have monied up. If he looked like he was truly feeling
the piece, he'd get my vote.
Take care,
Michael
On 12-Dec-09, at 3:32 PM, Bruce Hershenson wrote:
I was forwarded this by a good friend (I hope you can spare a
minute to read it):
What are we missing?
Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. A
violinist played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that
time approx 2 thousand people went through the station, most of
them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man
not...iced there was a musician playing.. He slowed his pace and
stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:the violinist received his first dollar: a woman
threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.
6 minutes:A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him,
then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:A 3 year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along
hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the
mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his
head all the time. This action was repeated by several other
children. Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.
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.
1hour:He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No
one applauded, nor was there any recognition.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Comment: No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one
of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most
intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million
dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell had sold out a theater in
Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a real story. Joshua
Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the
Washington Post as part of a social experiment about
perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised: in
a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive
beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an
unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:If we
do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best
musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever
written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ..... then how
many other things are we missing?
P.S. I verified this story as true on Snopes
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [email protected]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
___________________________________________________________________
How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List
Send a message addressed to: [email protected]
In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L
The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
