Through the years, I've heard many interpretations of West Side Story, but nothing quite like Joshua Bell's. The beautiful melodic sound of his violin has made his interpret so emotionally moving that hearing the songs: "Maria" and " Somewhere" has brought tears to my eyes. He puts so much heart and soul into his playing that you can hear that violin sing!!!

What a fantastic performance. I have to confess that before this evening I had not heard of Joshua Bell. That will no longer be a problem, as we purchased Josh's "Songs of the Violin" CD during the intermission after his performance. Josh's command of the instrument, his musicianship, his interpretation, were worthy of the 15-minute standing ovation and four curtain calls he and Maestro Robert Spano received for their performance of the Barber Concerto. From the first sonorous note out of his violin to the last we were entranced.

Joshua:

I met you at Davies Symphony Hall at suggested that you consider playing some Faure. You indicated that he is one of your favorite composers and said I should email you at your website.

Here are a few pieces you might want to consider returning to Davies in SF to play:

Sonate pour violin no. 1 op 13 (in A major)

Sonate pur violin no. 2 op 108 (in E minor)

I think both of these pieces would allow for orchestration. Perhaps you might add this project to your other ones.

It was such an amazing experience to have met Joshua Bell last week at Bloomingdale's. He was there for an autograph signing. I'll never forget his gracious smile. When he greeted me with " Hello ", I reached across the table to shake his hand and replied, " Mr. Bell, it's a pleasure to meet you!" As he was signing my CD of Vivaldi Four Seasons, I nervously blurred out, " Mr. Bell, I bought your album last month.

Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin have teamed up again to create a beautiful album, Amparo.

The album is in stores now and contains songs featuring Joshua Bell, Chris Botti, Renee Fleming and James Taylor.

Check out one of the tracks:

http://uclassics.edgeboss.net/wmedia/uclassics/amparo/01_three_latin_ame...

My husband is a fan of Joshua Bell and he purchased tickets to the September 9, 2008 10th Anniversary David Lockington Gala/Grand Rapids Symphony with Joshua Bell. When Joshua Bell started playing, I listened as the notes hung in the air, and I found myself mesmerized. After the concert, it was the second time ever I had seen my husband stand in line to get an autograph (next to Gino Vannelli). Wow! I thank God for giving you such a talent and that you choose to share it. Thank you.

You look nice in your brown pin-stripe. It's good to see you in some other color than blue, black, blue and black or white. Good choice.

I have been a fan of Joshua Bell's for a decade and have attended each and every performance he's given at the Ordway in St. Paul and the Schubert Club. I played the violin in South Bend Indiana and was first violin in South Bend's Youth Symphony(IU-South Bend) but,in the biggest tradegy of my life, my parents moved me away from my violin teacher/orchestra to a Minnesota suburb where no one was available to teach violin. Eventually I stopped practicing but love classical music. Last Friday, I drove after work(I'm a biologist/environmentalist) from St.