by Carrie Brownstein

Classy and Classical

I'm sure many of you have already read the story about how violinist Phillippe Quint left a violin worth $4m in a taxi cab outside of Newark Liberty International Airport. The taxi driver, Mohamed Khalil, got in touch with Quint and returned the violin the next day. As a means of thanks, Quint played a private 30-minute concert for Khalil at EWR on Tuesday.

I must say, I find this display of gratitude quite touching.

I wonder what the equivalent would be if, say, ZZ Top left their platinum beard trimmers in a taxi? Acoustic "Legs" outside the Continental terminal? A private performance of "Pearl Necklace?" It just wouldn't be the same.

Watch the clip of Quint's performance here.

Tags: Mohamed Khalil | Phillippe Quint

2:30 PM ET | 05- 7-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

a private performance of Pearl Necklace?
Gross.

Sent by JJ | 3:28 PM ET | 05-07-2008

I always like reading stories like this because it makes me happy to see people doing good deeds for others. It is unfortunate that these stories are not easy to find in the newspaper and almost nonexistent on the local newschannel broadcasts.
It does make me wonder if the same results would have occured had the cab driver known anything about the violin. I like to think they would have.

Sent by ryanjohnson | 3:33 PM ET | 05-07-2008

Wonderful! I loved the dancing couple. And there needs to be more concerts of all kinds of music in taxi waiting areas and other unconventional places. Mall parking lots. Fast food joints. Or hey, even just in airports. Nashville's used to have bands play in its airport (all kinds of bands, even punk bands) but I'm not sure if they're still doing this.

At any rate, it's good to see there are good people in the world, and other good people who appreciate them.

As for ZZ Top, I think I'd just take the cash reward and leave it at that, but they did (do? are they still around?) actually have some catchy tunes, as ridiculous as they were.

A soulful acoustic rendition of "Legs" would be a treat though. However, I'd make them use a zither.

Sent by Michael | 8:07 PM ET | 05-07-2008

Another great young violinist story, of special interest to all fans of street musicians - "Pearls Before Breakfast" (world famous violinst plays for tips in subway):
http://tinyurl.com/32a32w

Sent by LM | 8:11 PM ET | 05-07-2008

I heard about this on the radio yesterday; such a cute story. One could argue these news items are just fluff, but I do think it's refreshing to hear a story about honesty and generosity and gratitude once in a while. Such things actually still resonate with people, after all... it's nice to see that.

I was going to try to come up with a hypothetical comparison as hilarious as ZZ Top, but I can't do it. You nailed it.

Sent by nikki | 10:45 AM ET | 05-08-2008

Maybe the equivalent would be Billy Gibbons offering to trim the cab driver's beard with his platinum, 285-year-old beard trimmers. That would be awesome on Youtube.

Sent by John McAteer | 4:42 PM ET | 05-08-2008

A private performance of Pearl Necklace can be taken so many wrong ways...

Ive heard some really cool stories like this, about Elvis. Over hearing a couple on a plane, who were flying to Vegas to get married... but had lil money... so he GAVE them the ring off his finger, said go sell it when you get there and use the cash (or just use the ring as a wedding ring. Once coming across a man whos car broke down in the middle of the night in Memphis... instead of calling a tow truck... he called the car dealership and made them open up, so Elvis could by the stranger a new car... and many other similar ones...

Sent by Kramer | 2:09 PM ET | 05-09-2008

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Carrie Brownstein

Carrie Brownstein is a writer and musician. She was a member of the critically acclaimed rock band Sleater-Kinney. Her writing has appeared in 'The New York Times,' 'The Believer,' 'Pitchfork,' and various book anthologies on music and culture. Read Carrie's F.A.Q.

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