<p>clrn8mom-
Here, here! I share your sentiments, the difference between being a merely good musician and a great one is in many cases very small technically and so forth, but it is kind of like driving downfield in a football game, facing 4th and goal from the 2 yard line, and trying to score over 11 guys who together weigh more then a minivan…that last bit is the hardest, and it takes blood, sweat, tears and commitment. When a soloist gets on stage, or Pearlman plays the Oscars (he has done several solo gigs for movie theme music) or they hear Joshua Bell playing Corigliano’s score in “The Red Violin” they make it look easy, like they were these natural born talents who just go out there and do it…</p>
<p>My favorite appearance had to be Yo Yo Ma on the cartoon show “Arthur” when he appeared via cartoon (as a rabbit!) with Joshua Redmond, the jazz saxaphone player, it was great (the best part is the fantasy sequence of a wrestling match between Redmond and Yo Yo Ma, hysterical).</p>