for those of the classical breed

[breakingnews]

Not a bad idea - try the stunt with a chick, like Midori or Vanessa Mae (or maybe a real youngin', like Caitlin Tully, who I saw last year), and see what happens. Recognition wouldn't be any better, but I'm sure more people would stop to oogle at a hot chick jammin on a fiddle.

I'm surprised Josh Bell agreed to the gig, although not as surprised as the WP staging this sort of thing. From the article, though, it sounds like Bell is a pretty level-headed guy, not your typical hot-headed soloist. Kudos to him for takin the ego shot.

And I love the Chaconne from the Bach partita - probably my favorite piece ever.