Are you missing beauty?

What would happen, if a world class musician plays incognito during rush hour on a metro station? Guess before reading further.

On a cold morning in 2007, this man with a violin played few master pieces. During that time, approx. one thousand people went through the station. Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About twenty people gave money. After one hour, he finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded.

None seemed to notice that the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written. Just two days ago, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged one hundred dollars.

Do we perceive beauty in a common place environment? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

Photo Adaptation/Flickr/restlessglobetrotter