“Violinist Joshua Bell wants virtual reality to help spread the love for classical music,” writes Edward C. Baig in Thursday’s (2/23) USA Today. “ ‘I think it’s an incredible visceral experience. I’d love to see VR sort of bring classical music to people who might not go initially to a concert hall or to Carnegie Hall,’ … [said Bell] at a Sony PlayStation event in Manhattan, where he was promoting the recent launch of the Joshua Bell VR Experience, a free download for PlayStation VR owners. [In] this fully immersive 360-degree VR experience … you’re brought inside Air Studios’ Lyndhurst hall in London with Bell, who performs Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 1, accompanied by pianist Sam Haywood…. As you move closer to Bell, you can hear the sound emanating from the violin in greater detail. As you retreat, the natural reverb of the hall takes over.… Bell describes himself as a big technology and gamer person…. Bell is also eager for VR to be used ‘to bring us right up next to sporting events and all kinds of other things.’ In the physical world, Bell treats guests to concerts in his home. He imagines at some point inviting others, virtually.”
Posted February 24, 2017
