Joshua Bell Forum

[joshfiddle]

Hello everyone,

It's Joshua Bell here. I haven’t written here in a very long time, so I thought it was way overdue for me to write a little something. I am composing this message on a train, on my way back to New York City from Saratoga Springs where I played the Barber concerto last night.

I’d like to start by thanking those of you who have shown such an interest in my music and career. I am so grateful for the generous support over the years and by the various acts of kindness offered to me as well. The birthday wishes sent to me last December (and the year before!) were particularly touching. I am always happy when someone comes backstage after a concert and says ‘Hi, I’m from the forum!’, and although I don’t make a habit of reading what is written on this forum, please don’t mistake this for a lack of interest or appreciation – just that I am not always comfortable reading anything which has ME as the subject matter. (I have a hard time reading any interviews or articles about myself as well!) .

As some of you know, I had to cancel my concerts in Italy a couple of weeks ago. The official reason was ‘a family emergency’, which was true. Although I like to keep my personal life as private as possible, I’d like to elaborate a little in this case, since my ‘family emergency’ was not exactly bad news (thank you, BTW, to those who sent me concerned emails) – quite to the contrary! I gather there has been some speculation already, but here is the story:
..
A little background is necessary here. Many years ago I had a girlfriend named Lisa Matricardi. We were together for seven years, up until 1999. Although we are not together anymore as a couple, we have remained close and I think of her as family. A few years ago we discovered that we both had a keen interest in having a child. Of course having a child takes two people, and since neither of us had a proper ‘significant other’ up to the task, we arrived at an unconventional but certainly not unprecedented solution. We decided to try to have a child together, even though we both knew that we would be living our separate lives outside of sharing our parental responsibilities (and our deep friendship of course). I will keep the details to a minimum here, but to make a long story short, on July 31st Lisa gave birth to our baby boy. She was actually due to give birth on August 15th, but as fate would have it, he arrived two weeks early, just before I was meant to go to Cortona for some concerts. I decided that I simply had to witness my son’s first week of life, so I was sadly left with no other option than to cancel Cortona, a decision which was made a lot easier by the organizers of the festival who strongly encouraged me to fly home (I will be back at the festival next year!).

So that’s my big news, and his name is Josef Matricardi Bell (the first name was inspired by my beloved teacher Josef Gingold, and the middle is Lisa’s last name). He will live with his mother, and I will continue to lead my crazy life of touring which I love, but now I have the significant responsibility of being the best parent that I can be. I’m sure it won’t be easy, but luckily I have a lot of support from my great family and friends as well as the great team of people that work with me (Josef is also lucky to have a great mother as well!).

Thank you again, and I send my warmest regards to all.


Joshua

[SacYates]

I am speechless.

Hope everyone is doing splendidly. If ever you have a picture and post it, I'm sure we would all gush over him. But I also understand if you wouldn't feel comfortable having his picture on the internet.
Anyway, Congratulations!

[cat_lover]

ummm.....

Right, sure.

I'll believe this when Leah posts about it. We've been suckered by trolls posing as the man himself before.



Oh, and when Joshua comes to Saratoga he normally drives his car from NYC. It would be very unusual for him to take the train.

In addition, the man himself has NEVER posted to this incantation of the board. He wouldn't be "not having written for a long time" he'd be making a debut!

[later]

Okay...okay...me bad. Sorry.

[joshfiddle]

It didn't occur to me that some might doubt the authenticity of my post, but I suppose it makes sense, though, and I have experienced my share of fraud when it comes to the internet.

I'm not sure how to prove who I am, but I hope to post a picture or two soon of Josef.
As far as Leah is concerned, she has taken an indefinite leave of absence from my professional life (for personal reasons which I will not get in to now). She has been an incredible assistant for many years and I do hope that she and I will work together again.
I did take the train this year because my car is currently in Bloomington, IN. and I found it easier to take the train than to drive a rental car. I must admit, I did write the message a week ago, but I only now sent it after some hesitation (because of it's personal nature).

Feel free to email me at my website email address (jb@joshuabell.com), and I will do my best to respond. Hopefully then there will be no question about who has written this.

All the best,
Joshua

[1badstrad]

Yea, while I don't post here very often at all, I'm going to have to put a big on this one. This just smacks of falsity.

[violine]

_________________
violine

[violine]

Okay....I just got a confirmation from Jane Covner 20 min ago.

It's all true and it's from our Joshua Bell!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, JOSH and LISA.

You could have informed us this big news last Wed. We were contemplating whether to ask you if it's a boy or girl but we're not sure if you could take it from your forum friends, your fans.

Regarding Leah, I wish her all the best! We're going to miss her.

Leni

[Michelle]

Josh,

Congratulations to you and your family! A new baby is such a blessing! I hope you get the opportunity to take some time off and enjoy your son. (They grow up so fast ).

Thank you for posting.

Michelle

[SacYates]

Thank goodness it's true. I was beginning to think I was really gullible. Yay, he said there'll be pictures.

[kslnet]

I have not been this speechless since I heard you play the Bruch concerto in St. Paul last May.

Wow! First of all, thank you for taking the time to deliver such wonderful news to us personally. (I feel sad that you were initially greeted with skepticism instead of congratulations; I personally never doubted the authenticity of your message, given my knowledge of your writing style and your previous public statements about your desire to have a family.) Certainly many of us were quite curious and concerned about your Cortona cancellation, and I for one feel honored to be invited to share in your joy. There is nothing like a child to turn your life completely upside down---as I see you discovered immediately! I'm very glad the festival sponsors were supportive of your decision not to miss such a momentous event. What a touching gesture, too, to name your son after your beloved teacher. We look forward to seeing pictures of little Josef!

Warmest congratulations to you and Lisa, and welcome to parenthood!

Karin

[HueyChing]

Dear Josh,

Congratulations! Wish you, Lisa and Josef all the best! And continue to share great music with us!

Dear Leah, I wish you all the best too!


Love and hugs,
HueyChing

[lovesjoyajm]

Congratulations to Joshua and Lisa!!!

That is SO exciting! Thanks for letting us know personally, as others have said. It was wonderful that you got to go back and spend some time with your new son - I wish you, Lisa and Josef all the best!!

[soundingboard74]

Before anything else congratulations to Joshua and Lisa and a very warm welcome to Josef!

Its so nice of Josh to post this news first in the Forum before making it publicly known elsewhere, but he really ran the risk of his identity being doubted.

It just dawned on me while reading the post that there seems to be a cosmic connection between Joshua and his mentor Josef Gingold as the first three letters of their first names are the same.

[alex]

Dear Joshua,

Congratulations!

I'm sure that you'll be a good father.

[lili]

Wow, I am speechless... What big news!
Wish you and Lisa and your little boy all the best. How cute!

July 31st: Gosh, I was lucky that you played all your concerts in Verbier! Thank you!