I am not exactly sure why, but the sight of street musicians always breaks my heart. Whenever I see a mediocre immigrant violinist playing a familiar tune, I imagine how he must have been an accomplished musician back in his native land and now he is forced to stand on this busy subway platform, interrupted by the loud trains pulling in and out of the station and tuned out by the thousands of commuters. Perhaps that is why I find myself completely in awe at the New York Philharmonic. It doesn’t matter that I am not well-versed in music… where else can you see such an impressive group of accomplished musicians. Each one of the orchestra members has dedicated his entire life to music, and each one made it…they are all here, playing Rachmaninoff… for you.
My most entertaining commuting experiences involve musicians. The most delightful was an amateur guitarist, who advised the passengers that for $20 upfront, he won’t violate their ears. Everyone giggled at the proposal, but no one was willing to pay, so for the next two stations we endured the performance. I even didn’t mind the Korean Students Bible club playing kumbaya and blocking the entrance to the school. They gave me a candy bar for clapping along.
Last week I saw something that made me think that perhaps, in spite of the devastating economic conditions and a terrifying political climate, we, Americans, stand strong. The floor-to-ceiling windows of a sports club revealed a few dozen treadmill and elliptical machine enthusiasts, sweating away as a live band carried on a jazz melody. Is there a more obnoxious way to display wealth and disrespect for music? Oh Lord…kum ba ya.
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2 comments:
Wow. It would be so lucky if somebody at home had the ability to play music for you...your own private mediocre immigrant playing songs just for you...
Given your response, sir (I assume), I am hereby renewing my call to close all borders and expel all immigrants...Except for Mexicans, as they play mean guitarron. Also, the Jews and some Asians may be allowed to remain, but only if they play the cello or the violin (in the case of Asians, hot women under the age of 33 can also stay regardless of musical talent). On the other hand, all guitar playing Brits and accordion playing Frenchmen are to be held at INS detention facilities for reeducation.
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