While watching HBO's Joshua Bell: A YoungArts Masterclass, it is easy to see that it's all about the kids. The world-renowned violinist checks his ego at the door, focusing his efforts on Mendelssohn, Bach and his youthful ritornello, who clearly idolize their enthusiastic coach.
On Felix Mendelssohn's Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20--a longtime favorite of Bell's--the group hones in. Studying his every move, the youths find an easy way to bridge the communication gap in practice, all the while keeping it intimate (sharing Shake Shack burgers even).
While he may not be Terence Fletcher (Whiplash), Bell extends a piece of himself to his YoungArts students, who are all exceptionally bright and well spoken.
Except I couldn't help but laugh when his talented pupil and violinist Kelly Talim said of the 100 Club, a venue in England that the octet performed, that has seen the likes of the Sex Pistols, Paul McCartney, Metallica and more, that "it was kind of terrifying how dirty it was."
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