Subway virtuoso returns to the stage

  • Breaking
  • 10/11/2014

If all the world's a stage, then the New York subway system may be a perfectly good place for a musical career.

That's what James Graseck decided when he brought his violin underground nearly half a century ago.

In the silence between trains come the sweet sounds of Mozart. Graseck has been serenading subway riders for more than 40 years. Bach is his favourite, but he's happy to take requests.

He's there by choice. After graduating from the prestigious Julliard School of Music, he played with traditional orchestras. But the first time he pulled out his fiddle at a train station, everything changed.

"I couldn't believe it. I just picked it up and I got a crowd around me."

He has supported a wife and daughter, collecting one dollar at a time - and generations of fans.

"Year after year he's still here," says one. "I always give him a dollar and a smile. He's just amazing."

Recently, Graseck had news for his subway friends – he'd been practicing with the United Nations Symphony Orchestra for his first solo gig in 30 years.  

Weeks later, he traded his jeans for a tux. For one night it was just the stage, the audience and the warm glow of the spotlight.

Watch the video for the full story.

source: newshub archive