What would happen if a great violinist played on Stradivari to unknowing commuters

A superb article in the Washington Post today answers that question. It was also in the Post magazine, but it's probably better here because you can watch the video as well. As for what happens? Not telling. Read the article.

(For the record, this is not the stop I commute by. I've never stopped for a busker. Maybe I should. But when I do have some cash and like their performance I do try to give 'em a dollar. There's actually a good guy in the evenings that I tend to rush by all too quickly. Next time he's here I may stick around for a song.)

Hating on the Classical Musician Busker article

So, two bloggers I like, Kevin Drum and Ezra Klein, both knocked it. As did an article in Salon. The comment sections actually made for fairly interesting reading.

I do agree that Gene Weingarten did sometimes wax a bit overly philosophical. I think people are objecting in good part because it was classical music which in my view misses the point. That said, the experiment would have been a bit more pure if a form of artistry less associated with elitism was used. I dunno, get a terrific folk singer or something.

[Addendum: chat with Wingarten on the article..]