Views of an admirer

I studied violin for 10 years. My talent was microscopic, but my love of great violin music became huge. I have loved listening to Kriesler, Heifetz, Milstein, Oistrakh, Stern, and Perlman, but Joshua Bell, I think, tops them all primarily in the warmth and deep musicality of his performances of not only technically difficult numbers, but also of moving but relatively easy-to-play music like Kriesler's Liebesleid. Bell's bowing and fingering seems to bring out nuances and tonalities that make virtually everything that I hear him play soar to unexpected heights. The shaping of his phrases are unique and stunningly beautiful. His down-to-earth manners are refreshing and suggest a basic goodness of character that enriches the beauty of his music. I hope that as the years go by, the goodness and humility he radiates will not diminish. I am glad that Joshua is relatively young. My anticipation of the music he will perform and record fills me with a desire to live as long as I can to enjoy his music.