Art Without a Frame (An Experiment involving, music, beauty, and psychology)

No one knew it, but the fiddler standing against a bare wall outside the Metro in an indoor arcade at the top of the escalators was one of the finest classical musicians in the world, playing some of the most elegant music ever written on one of the most valuable violins ever made. His performance was arranged by The Washington Post as an experiment in context, perception and priorities -- as well as an unblinking assessment of public taste: In a banal setting at an inconvenient time, would beauty transcend?

The musician did not play popular tunes whose familiarity alone might have drawn interest. That was not the test. These were masterpieces that have endured for centuries on their brilliance alone, soaring music befitting the grandeur of cathedrals and concert halls.

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It's a long article, but really is a good read. I must admit that i'm kinda biased when it comes to why so many people didn't recognize one of the world's best musicians giving a free concert since I also play the violin (an amateur compared to Bell though). But then again it kinda goes back to what was talked about in article, is a great musician really all that great if next to no one listens to him in a particular setting?

Wow, what a great article, thanks for posting that...