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Joshua Bell on Oprah: We have GOT to be close to breaking pointLife in general: I want another discussion on this and that I'll have!
I have continued to e-mail Oprah about getting Joshua Bell on her show in the absence of this discussion on here. You? I really REALLY want this to happen, especially after the genuine e-mail I got from Joshua Bell. Some of you think is about Joshua being on the show. That it is not. It is about America not really realizing that classical is a genre they might be interested in or even paying it any heed! If you need ideas or clarification on what this is about, then go to my blog and read my letter to Gayle King. You have to scroll down a bit, but it'll help! If you have e-mailed before, thank you so much and please do it again ;-) If you have not, really weigh the reasons and decide for yourself what you think about the subject and post it!
From Sydney Menees
What a brilliant scheme! Yes, I e-mail her with you. A lot.Posted on March 31, 2006 at 08:48 PM Geez, you certainly make a lot of typos. ;-) The correct version: From Larry Brandt
Gee, you're not the right person to criticize her grammar! Your grammar is just as bad! :)Posted on April 1, 2006 at 09:59 AM The EVEN MORE correct version: Some of you think that this is about Joshua being on the show; it is not that. It is about America not fully realizing that classical music is a genre that they might actually be interested in! Something that, if they actually paid it any heed, might capture their fancy. I think that JB would make a great representative. If you need ideas or clarification on what this is about, then go to my blog and read my letter to Gayle King. You have to scroll down a bit, but it'll help! Sorry, just had to do that! Hope you're not suffering from any erm, multiple personalities, hehe. From Jason Thomas
So JB e-mailed you asking you to help him get on Oprah?
Posted on April 1, 2006 at 12:20 PM From William Wolcott
What did the email from Joshua Bell say?
Posted on April 1, 2006 at 02:51 PM From Sydney Menees
I don't want to c/p the JB-mail, but I'll summarize some of it. Were you here for the JB Scandal? If not, then you can look at my blog. He was talking about how the internet was a easy place to be tricked and that it had happened to him before, etc. And then thanks for trying to suggest him for Oprah. Sure he would like to be on the show, he is a fan of hers, the context would have to be right, etc. Posted on April 1, 2006 at 05:12 PM There you go! From ilya gringolts
Sydney,Posted on April 2, 2006 at 08:53 AM from what seems to be what he wrote to you, I could deduce the gist in two words: no thanks:) I hope I am wrong. IG From Jim W. Miller
Josh thinks he owns my radio. I want to hear my friends. Get off my radio biotch.
Posted on April 2, 2006 at 11:12 AM From Sydney Menees
Ilya - I think you are wrong. Hehe, sorry. I could send you the actual message if you would like. That or when you see him next, you could ask him. ;-)
Posted on April 2, 2006 at 06:42 PM From ilya gringolts
Sydney,Posted on April 2, 2006 at 07:23 PM last time I saw him he recommended this steak place which wasn't very good. I don't think we are on speaking terms IG From Pieter Viljoen
Ilya...Posted on April 2, 2006 at 07:56 PM Don't tell me it was Luger's.... From Sydney Menees
Fine, fine Ilya. I'll post a part of his letter up here for your scrutiny.Posted on April 2, 2006 at 08:30 PM In answer to your question - sure I would like to be on Oprah's show. I am always happy if I can at least try to represent classical music in a positive way to a mainstream audience. So, what do you think now? From Mattias Eklund
Don't call us - we'll call you
Posted on April 3, 2006 at 10:59 AM From D Wright
why don't you just buy him a ticket to the taping and have him stage-dive after the commercial break ends?
Posted on April 3, 2006 at 09:51 PM From Sydney Menees
That's a good idea, but I don't know...are you SURE it's not illegal? Hehehe.
Posted on April 4, 2006 at 12:40 PM From Louise Pallet
I've send the message because I think it is a fantastic idea. I'm a great fan and listen every night to his recordings when I get to bed. Even though it will take forever before we will see that Oprah show in my country South africa but I really liked your iniative, So there, done
Posted on April 4, 2006 at 06:00 PM From Carla Leurs
Dear Sir, Madam, Posted on April 5, 2006 at 06:38 AM On violinist.com a discussion launched on wether you should invite Joshua Bell for a show. I think the idea laying behind this is great. Your show helps to form culture, not only in your own country (in which I studied at Juilliard for 6 years) but way beyond the borders. You have made reading through Oprah's bookclub a "hot" item again. As you know in the classical music world we are struggling. Orchestra's are put out of business, halls are increasingly empty and public schools across the world have to cut their music program. Lots of young people are passionate about bringing classical music back into business. Many schools such as Juilliard go into the community to serve and bring joy through this music. Please help us in our try to not let classical music vanish from our culture, it being reduced to one shelve at Barnes and Nobles. There are so many wonderfull things to discover. Please contact me if you would need more information. Yours sincerely, Carla Leurs, violinist From Sydney Menees
Thanks, you two. Carla, great letter!
Posted on April 5, 2006 at 02:13 PM From Sydney Menees
SNAIL MAIL ADDRESS FOR OPRAH!!!!! I'm writing her a letter. If any of you want to help out the cause, that would be great. Here is the address:Posted on April 6, 2006 at 04:25 PM Oprah Winfrey From Charlie Caldwell
What is your obsession with having Joshua Bell on Oprah?Posted on April 6, 2006 at 05:12 PM I don't understand what good it would do. From Maura Gerety
She wants to get JB on the show to increase the popularity of real, good classical music. I think it's not a bad idea at all--if Oprah can get half the country reading Lev Tolstoy and Elie Wiesel, surely she can get people to listen to a bit of Brahms. I think it's a good idea....but can we get Maxim Vengerov on too? :) lol
Posted on April 6, 2006 at 06:07 PM From Pieter Viljoen
I still think IP would be better for the Oprah crowd...
Posted on April 6, 2006 at 07:36 PM From Sydney Menees
Who is IP? Sorry.
Posted on April 6, 2006 at 09:10 PM From Bernard Wong
Perlman.
Posted on April 6, 2006 at 09:11 PM From Maura Gerety
Perlman would be good too. He's really funny!
Posted on April 6, 2006 at 09:42 PM From David Teitelbaum
I have a bit of a reservation and resentment toward people who "dislike" music. They are, quite frankly, ignorant at best, or dumb for the most part.Posted on April 6, 2006 at 10:57 PM Oprah and her people don't differ much in this respect. Hell! "Classical" music has been around for over 400 years and is still continuing to live (Ms. Leurs' comments notwithstanding; she is absolutely right, but not to worry, WE will develop its next faze and revive it to be the greatest thing "that happened" to the next generations); young whippersnappers like Oprah is, cannot diminish its importance. The difference is that these ignorant people rule the media and would rather thrash and gyrate in the most nauseating ways, in 4 inch heels to...Britney Simpson or Madonna Clarkson...and call that “music.” Some of you are old enough to remember the “King of Comedy,” Johnny Carson, hosting Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg—A COUPLE OF TIMES!—and it did not seem to affect his ratings. On the contrary! I think we should make a collective case to Oprah, or to others (Frankly, screw her! She is not worth her hide if she can ignore such a crucial aesthetic that is timeless. It is struggling—YOU HAVE THE POWER, YOU MUST TAKE ACTION TO PROMOTE IT!), and work along the lines of petitions. A collective voice is heard rather better than individual voices (we should know that—we live with choral music every day; everybody knows a chorus sounds stronger than five soloists singing in unison). As for the choice of representative for us to the world, Joshua Bell, though I detest his “playing” (if it must be called that), I think he is an exquisite choice. Yitzhak Perlman is a bit old to be inviting enough to the “young” audience; although he is the consummate television personality—great at what he does, sweet, warm and hilarious. Many times I thought about this subject, but with a different violinist. Hilary Hahn. Stuffy, stuck up, lousy sounding and arrogant as she is, I had this feeling that she would make a good representative for us; but your choice is better. Maestro Gringolts too is a great choice, as is Maxim Vengerov. There is another great violinist I’d suggest, however. Rachel Barton Pine, who is a master beyond many of the popular stars who are mentioned here on this website, lives in Chicago too (from where Oprah airs her show), and is well known for her educational impact on youth. Her crossover habits too, are legendary—she is known as much for her Heavy-Metal infatuation, as for her “Classical” infatuation. Also, she has embarked on a uniquely American-style “interracial” quest for music of “Black composers.” In fact we have corresponded before about her exquisite CD (on the Cedille label) on which she plays three violin concerti by prominent Black composers of the 18th and 19th centuries. (I have corresponded with Joshua Bell too; he was most gracious, which is more than I can say about his sorry playing.) Happy listening! From Jim W. Miller
Just what do you and classical music have to offer exactly?
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 01:22 AM From William Wolcott
After visiting a doctor a few years ago, I asked him 'knowledgable' questions (I had been studying up after all) pertaining to my visit.Posted on April 7, 2006 at 01:15 PM He said, and he was serious: "Be careful. You know just enough to be dangerous." He did not mean that I knew a lot. From Maura Gerety
Maybe we should try to convince Ilya to go on Oprah.
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 03:33 PM From Sydney Menees
Haha, Ilya...I'm sure he'd be great too. I've never heard any interviews with him, unfortunately. Man, I still can't get over his Paganini Caprices! Wow. Wow. Wow.Posted on April 7, 2006 at 05:44 PM I must remind you, there is no problem with musicians wanting to, however, there has been trouble with Oprah asking them. From Jim W. Miller
It's a tough nut. She's too rich to pay off. Hey, there's an interview of Ilya reprinted from Strad magazine that you can find on the web. It's interesting.
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 06:33 PM From Maura Gerety
If Ilya is as funny in real life as he is on here, he'd bring the house down! :)
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 06:32 PM From D Wright
and if that doesn't work there's always his vast WMD collection.
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 07:37 PM From Maura Gerety
*Groan*.....
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 08:05 PM From Jim W. Miller
He peaked with Scotch fantasy/ whiskey reality.
Posted on April 7, 2006 at 08:10 PM From Sydney Menees
Hey guys, guess what? I had wanted to do this for a while, but I didn't have time. Anyway, if you google "Joshua Bell," this discussion is the first link on the 5th page of results that comes up! Wow.
Posted on April 8, 2006 at 03:29 PM From Mike Harris
Maybe you could get life-size cutouts of Josh holding his instrument in Wal-Marts worldwide (like Chuck Mangione in the Mega-Lo-Marts on "King of the Hill")
Posted on April 8, 2006 at 11:47 PM From Sydney Menees
Hey y'all, if you want to help out the cause, visit this discussion. All support is appriciated!Posted on April 9, 2006 at 11:49 AM Thanks, Leni. From ilya gringolts
Come on Sydney, we all know you google Josh before you brush you teethPosted on April 9, 2006 at 03:08 PM Smiley From Sydney Menees
Before I brush my teeth?! *eyes Ilya incredulously*
Posted on April 9, 2006 at 03:47 PM From Emily Grossman
No, Ilya, she brushes her teeth first, just in case.
Posted on April 9, 2006 at 04:59 PM From Sydney Menees
Yeah, Emily's right. Haha, you two crack me up! BTW, I found the interview with Ilya in Strings Magazine. Check this out:Posted on April 9, 2006 at 05:26 PM During a midnight phone interview from his Swedish hotel room, an exhausted Gringolts fights off jet lag after a daylong recording session to discuss his approach to Bach, as well as the role of Russian composers in his career and his intense love of modern music. Awww, how nice of you Ilya! ;) No, seriously, you're amazing. From Pieter Viljoen
Ilya...Posted on April 9, 2006 at 08:17 PM So do you. From Julia G.
here's a thought, why Bell? Why not someone like the 5 Browns? They really have alot about them that I think Opra might find interesting. They are very young, and really work to get classical music out to teenagers and young adults. They're even involved with VH1's Save the Music to bring music programs back to school. They're differnt and "cool" it might be even a bigger pull than Bell would be (if we are talking about raising awarness about classical musicians, and do away with the powdered wig image that comes to mind..no offence to Bach!)The 5 Browns are of course a pretty big novelty as well, and really are an eye catcher.
Posted on April 12, 2006 at 12:11 AM From ilya gringolts
I think Nigel would actually be perfect for the job. No smileys whatsoever.Posted on April 12, 2006 at 12:43 AM IG From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on April 12, 2006 at 04:16 AM but he`d probably wreck the studio afterwards... Cheers, Buri From Sydney Menees
The 5 Browns HAVE been on Oprah! Although, it was about them and not so much classical music. Kennedy? Hmmm, perhaps...
Posted on April 12, 2006 at 08:09 AM From Jim W. Miller
The problem with the 5 Browns is they're coming up, so naturally it'll be about them. The problem with Nigel is if it wasn't scripted just so, the audience would be thinking why you showin me dis ol' punkass dude for? I'm not sure what kind of influence he'd have on young people. Kind of the opposite of the Browns strategy:)
Posted on April 12, 2006 at 09:30 AM From Sydney Menees
Exactly. Perfectly put, Jim.
Posted on April 12, 2006 at 01:16 PM From ilya gringolts
Jim,Posted on April 12, 2006 at 01:20 PM Young people like old punk-ass dudes who wear different color socks and cuss better than well-spoken suit-clad 40yo, no? IG From Sydney Menees
I don't know too much about Kennedy. Anyone want to fill me in? Has he done a lot of crossover stuff? I have two of his CDs (Kreisler and Classic).Posted on April 12, 2006 at 01:30 PM Ilya, you're going to be at Verbier! AHHH! I want to go so bad (to the Academy too)! Ah well, I suppose there's always next year. From Jim W. Miller
It's not necessarily either / or. Posted on April 13, 2006 at 05:20 AM When I see someone under 55 in a suit I think catastrophe waiting to happen. Nigel would work. Just have to make him come off like Bono somehow. From Pieter Viljoen
O... so he must come off as preachy, self absorbed, and a walking contradiction?
Posted on April 13, 2006 at 05:51 AM From Jim W. Miller
Dude, it's what sells.
Posted on April 13, 2006 at 05:53 AM From Sydney Menees
Ilya! Someone randomly sent me pictures from a big violinist convention (or something, I don't know) and Joshua Bell is there and YOU are there! So you really did meet him. I think you are drinking something, lol...
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 05:34 PM From Maura Gerety
But Ilyusha said he hates vodka....
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 06:04 PM From Maura Gerety
Oh yeah, and post those pics willya? :)
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 06:04 PM From ilya gringolts
No vodka, I think it was sambuca, although I never actually said that I didn't drink vodka, did I? Posted on April 15, 2006 at 06:35 PM IG From Sydney Menees
See my blog... :-) Gotcha, Ilya.
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 06:41 PM From Maura Gerety
Ha! Nice pic! BTW Ilya I don't remember what thread it was on but I remember your post because it was really funny (though it makes no sense out of context):Posted on April 15, 2006 at 07:28 PM "I have religious beliefs against allergies. And am allergic to religious beliefs. And I still hate vodka." Nah, I don't memorize your posts or anything, but that one just stuck in my head for whatever reason. Na zdorovye! :) From ilya gringolts
Maura,Posted on April 15, 2006 at 07:38 PM Yes, I do remember saying I hated it, but there was nothing there about drinking it From Maura Gerety
LOL Ilyusha! :)
Posted on April 15, 2006 at 08:40 PM From Pieter Viljoen
I remember when I drank my first full bottle Sambucca...Posted on April 15, 2006 at 09:27 PM To this day the smell of licorice chills me to my bones and makes my skin crawl. From ilya gringolts
So how did the second full bottle go over then?Posted on April 15, 2006 at 09:33 PM IG From Pieter Viljoen
Ilya,Posted on April 15, 2006 at 10:26 PM I just remember waking up next to the pool at a friend of a friend's house. I remember nothing else. From Sydney Menees
Man, now I don't know if I should be looking forward to this! I turn drinking age on July 12....Posted on April 16, 2006 at 08:17 AM BTW - I took the pic off my blog. Where was that, Ilya? From ilya gringolts
Verbier?Posted on April 16, 2006 at 04:58 PM IG From Pieter Viljoen
Sydney, Posted on April 16, 2006 at 05:36 PM You are in Germany. Their drinking age is a mere suggestion. Trust me... From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on April 17, 2006 at 05:33 AM Pieter: > just remember waking up next to the pool at a friend of a friend's house. I remember nothing else. Pool of what? I remember waking up in a tree after homebrewed Belgium beer. Does that count? Cheers Buri From Sydney Menees
I have the worst luck ever. Ever. EVER!Posted on April 17, 2006 at 09:56 AM You're probably right, Ilya. I bet that was V******. You're right Pieter. They would give beer/vodka/alcohol in general to anyone who wanted it (I've seen it done). "Drinking age" (HA!) is 16 here. The kids here are in awe and very afraid of the 21 year-old drinking age. From Suresh Brady
Burp
Posted on April 17, 2006 at 10:24 AM From Pieter Viljoen
Buri,Posted on April 17, 2006 at 06:21 PM Yes. Adventures like the one you described certainly count. PS. Luckily the pool was comprised of water. From ilya gringolts
Luckily you were lying next to it.Posted on April 17, 2006 at 08:07 PM IG From Maura Gerety
But isn't alcohol lighter than water? If he was that plastered maybe he'd float anyway. :)
Posted on April 17, 2006 at 08:29 PM From ilya gringolts
I don't know, but it definitely feels heavier.Posted on April 17, 2006 at 10:11 PM IG From Maura Gerety
So you have lots of first-hand knowledge? :)
Posted on April 17, 2006 at 10:26 PM From ilya gringolts
sadlyPosted on April 17, 2006 at 10:44 PM IG From Pieter Viljoen
Of course he has a lot of first hand knowledge. He comes from a nation of people with pickled liver. Only someone with at least 30oz of vodka in them would think than the whole Banya spiel is actually a good idea.
Posted on April 17, 2006 at 11:21 PM From Maura Gerety
*groan*...and also from the Nation of Pickled Livers: Oistrakh, Kogan, Repin, Vengerov, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, shall I go on?
Posted on April 18, 2006 at 12:04 AM From Pieter Viljoen
Maura,Posted on April 18, 2006 at 01:30 AM Are you trying to make some type of point? From ilya gringolts
Pieter,Posted on April 18, 2006 at 01:39 AM You actually are required to have at least 30oz to think From Pieter Viljoen
Then I'd be considered quite the intellectual.
Posted on April 18, 2006 at 02:06 AM From Neil Cameron
It's at moments like this that I'm reminded of that famous, drunken philosopher, Rene Descartes and his immortal phrase, "I drink, therefore I am."Posted on April 18, 2006 at 02:18 AM Neil From Maura Gerety
Pieter, Posted on April 18, 2006 at 02:51 AM I was just a bit annoyed by your snide remark about Russians. But I was in a bad mood anyway, and feeling better now, so don't worry about it. It was kind of funny! :) Now I suppose I should relate a story I heard from one of my former teachers about his teacher Jascha Brodsky, and HIS teacher Eugene Ysaye. Apparently Jascha, about twenty years old and Ysaye's student, was about to go onstage for a big concert, and was nervous as hell. Ysaye decided to share a "stage fright remedy" that he had been using for years: a big shot of vodka. Well, Ysaye was a big guy, and Brodsky was a skinny, short little guy about a third of Ysaye's size. What was the proper dose for the Maestro turned out to be quite overpowering for the student, and the next thing Jascha knew, he woke up at home with a splitting headache. On top of all that, everyone he talked to that day congratulated him on his wonderful performance. MG From Pieter Viljoen
Maura,Posted on April 18, 2006 at 03:57 AM I don't see how my remark hinted at any antagonism towards Russian people. I thought that anyone could see it was a banal comment with nothing behind it. From Sydney Menees
Wow you guys. Whoever thought...Posted on April 18, 2006 at 07:12 AM A well, there's no point in me intervening. Have your fun! From benny atkinson
Sydney, are YOU close to breaking point ?!!!
Posted on April 18, 2006 at 11:01 AM From Maura Gerety
Pieter, Posted on April 18, 2006 at 02:02 PM of course I see it was just a silly banal comment. Like I said, I was in a snit over some trivial little thing and blowing absolutely stinking everything out of proportion. :) I'm not mad at you or anything! :) From Sydney Menees
Benny - I very well may be! I prefer to think not ;-)
Posted on April 18, 2006 at 03:17 PM From benny atkinson
I am after speaking to Joshua after a beautiful all Schubert recital he gave this evening with Jeremy Denk, and...the answer is YES definitely YES, Joshua would like to go on the Oprah show !Posted on May 7, 2006 at 10:57 PM So now it's up to Oprah ! Keep at it Sydney and your dream will come true !! From Sydney Menees
Wow! Wow!! What did he actually say?! Do you remember? Thanks for clearing that up for everyone on here (*ahem* Laurie *AHEM* Ilya :-) ).
Posted on May 8, 2006 at 02:16 PM From Louise Pallet
Sorry this is not just about America, it is about youth in general to get them excited about a musical instrument. Has anyone ever heard about a violent vilonist?It makes youngsters feel and listen and have an aim. Of course it would be easier with Joshua Bell on the program than any old man or women so please let him roll on, Ophra.
Posted on May 8, 2006 at 05:05 PM From D Wright
why don't you ask joshua bell to invite oprah out to his next concert in chicago and give her complimentary seating? that way she can see for herself what classical music is and does.
Posted on May 8, 2006 at 05:38 PM From Sydney Menees
Hey D, that is pure genius! Why didn't you mention it sooner?!?!??! :-)
Posted on May 8, 2006 at 05:54 PM From ilya gringolts
I am afraid people will stop listening to Josh once the word gets out that Oprah is in the audiencePosted on May 8, 2006 at 08:14 PM IG From Sydney Menees
Wow, Ilya. Looking out for Josh now, eh? Would word get out? Keep it secret. Keep it safe.Posted on May 8, 2006 at 09:22 PM Whew! Just finished the letter to that main producer! I put my blood, tears, and sweat (not to mention lack of sleep) into that thing! Colleen can attest to that. All I can say is they had better read, appriciate, and take me up on that offer that I gave them. From Hansjürgen Kohlhaas
Sydney !Posted on May 8, 2006 at 09:43 PM Blood Sweat n'Tears - do they still rock ? Great band. Btw, Joshua will appear in MeckiPommes! i.e. the Mecklenburg Vorpommern Festival. Will check it out. Tschüss, Hansjürgen From Pieter Viljoen
Blood Sydney?Posted on May 8, 2006 at 11:34 PM Careful, you're one more bodily fluid away from a restraining order. From Gennady Filimonov
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:04 AM From Gennady Filimonov
something very strange is going on with this computer.Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:08 AM .............................Bravo Sydney, That is how you get make dreams happen! From Jonathan Frohnen
indeed. Die thread die.
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:10 AM From Gennady Filimonov
#1
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:10 AM From Gennady Filimonov
I would like to know how some people are able to post an entry after a thread has been closed and archived. ?
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:02 AM From David Teitelbaum
Now that my semester ends, I think I'll purchase a ticket to go to Chicago and pester Oprah in person... Let her know that she has an opportunity to make The Arts cool again...and host a guy who was considered one of the "sexiest men alive" the last decade or so by the world wide media... Right up there with George Clooney and Tom Cruise.Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:22 AM I'm so damn fired up! From Gennady Filimonov
I would still like to know how some people are able to post an entry after a thread has been closed and archived. ?
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 04:00 AM From Gennady Filimonov
:)
Posted on May 9, 2006 at 12:02 AM This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.
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