The feature article Pearls before Breakfast (8/4/2007, Gene Weingarten, Washington Post) tells of the day that Joshua Bell, a renown violin player, played one of the most expensive violins in the world at a subway station in Washington. The aim was to see if people would notice who he was or would they would think he was just another street performer.
The article came to a lengthy 7300 words, 22 pages when printed out, but the way that it was written kept me reading to the end. Each section of the article unveils a new dimension to the story.
The article begins by building a picture in the reader’s head of the location and what the violinist is wearing. It does not reveal who the violinist is but instead gives a description that could apply to an ordinary busker.
The revelation that this is not an ordinary busker is revealed slowly. The reader is not told directly; instead the reader is moved to a conversation between the writer and the Maestro Leonard Slatkin. The writer asks Slatkin how successful a professional violinist would be at performing on the street. Once Slatkin gives his opinion he is then told the identity of the violinist. Not only has the writer revealed the true identity of the performer to the reader, he has also allowed the reader to join in on the amazement conveyed by Slatkin.
After the life of Joshua Bell and his $3.5 million violin are told, the article then delves into the events of the day. The description of the scene creates a contrast between the music and the passers by. What would keep an audience in silent awe has been totally ignored by people trying to catch trains or buy lottery tickets.
In one example, a man said he liked the music but could not put money in the box because he had spent it on buying lottery tickets. It is later revealed he did not win. Another example shows how a child wanted to listen but the mother dragged him away in a hurry. This was a common occurrence. One person did not hear the music because they were listening to their iPod. Others were busy on the phone. The writer likens this to being in their own world and not letting new experiences in.
The article then deepens through telling the stories of the people who had stopped to listen. One man was listening from around the corner because he was not allowed to leave his coffee stand during his shift. Another man listened around the corner because he did not want to disturb the performer.
At a nearby shoe polishing stand, a customer listened while getting his shoes cleaned. The lady polishing said that it is sad that people ignore others. She the recalls how someone died nearby and people kept walking past because it was not their business.
Only two people noticed that the performer was a professional. One man himself was a violinist but circumstance led him to become a postal worker. A woman had been to his concert a week earlier.
The editors had assumed that many people would come to see the performer and crowd control would be needed. In the end only a couple of people stopped. Joshua Bell had made $32 from 40 minutes of work. Not as grand as what he was use to, but probably more then many of the workers that passed him by.
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