Comments on: Bell wins $75,000

By: Cary Boyce

Cary Boyce — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:48:33 +0000

Josh is a stellar violinist who goes out of his way to commission new works, chart new territories for his instrument, and find new paths for himself as a very individual artist.

And an award has to have a substantial cash value to be taken seriously. At least he can make a payment on the fiddle, which probably cost him upwards of $3 million. At least it’s owned by a musician and not an investor.

I also know Joshua Bell to be generous with his time and his kindness. When the time comes to give something back (everything he has is well deserved), then I anticipate his generosity to be there when and where it counts. The Avery Fisher Prize and the publicity it generates are well deserved. Other, more “valuable” prizes have gone to others far less worthy that have virtually disappeared from the musical landscape.

By: Samuel Vriezen

Samuel Vriezen — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:19:47 +0000

Ever since recording, you don’t need to be a composer to be ‘immortal’ in music – in fact, it has become a bit of a liability.

By: Galen H. Brown

Galen H. Brown — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:12:21 +0000

The Avery Fisher Career Grants don’t seem to have been announced yet, but apparently they’re related and will be given at the same time. Last year four individuals and a quarter won the $25,000 awards: http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/4471.html

I appreciate what you’re saying about large monetary awards going to people who are already rich, but you have to understand that the giving of these awards is a PR move. You give the award to famous people, thereby making them more famous, and then you get to be associated with them and be known for recognizing the greatness of people who are seen as great. It’s practically inevitable that things end up this way, but at least the Avery Fisher awards combine the big PR award with the still-substantial awards for younger less established artists.

By: Chris Sahar

Chris Sahar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:44:06 +0000

Well, if Bell is very wealthy, then let’s hope he will donate the 75,000 to some organization which supports aspiring artists. A good one is Fractured Atlas.

I hope Bell is not seeking immortality from composing! In
500 years, how many composers will be remembered from the period of 1800 – 1900. If we look at the period of 1450 – 1550 and ask someone on the street to name a composer from that time, you will be lucky if 1 in 50 say Palestrina (and in this case they would be partially correct as he was born in 1525).

You know how you become (sort of) immor(t)al? Aspire to being Ghenghis Khan, Caligula or some other fearsome despot!

By: john williams

john williams — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 19:48:18 +0000

This does kind of suck, yes? For all the reasons posted above.

By: andrea

andrea — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 17:16:36 +0000

(Realizing that, yes, there are organizations that already go that)

do tell!!!

By: jupiterjenkins.com » Blog Archive » Joshua Bell makes $32 busking

jupiterjenkins.com » Blog Archive » Joshua Bell makes $32 busking — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:40:05 +0000

[...] (P.S. I wouldn’t feel too bad about it. He recently wonÂ 75 K that goes along with the Avery Fisher Prize.) [...]

By: KenMarshall

KenMarshall — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 14:33:56 +0000

Thanks for helping

By: Paul H. Muller

Paul H. Muller — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 05:41:30 +0000

Yes, but does the man in the street know who Terry Riley is? Or Morton Feldman? Or is Mr. Bell going to give us the latest word in music from two centuries ago?

Sorry for the outburst. Anytime a musician pulls down some serious money, its a good thing. Congratulations to Mr. Bell and here’s hoping he produces a work worthy of his ambition.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 23:57:54 +0000

The award doesn’t bother me, it’s the money at this stage in his career. No one likes to be a money-slave, but $75,000 would make a bigger difference (possibly) in the life of a young performer/composer, than a millionaire (quite possibly) megastar.