Joshua Bell Forum

whiteforsythia · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Neverland

Congratulations Joshua!! I wish you the best!

Love,
Forsythia
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"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucius

jamie_4_6 · Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Philippines

Wow, I'm quite surprised to Joshua's big news since it's been long time the last I'd visited this forum. Well he deserves some happiness too like any other normal human being. We know that Joshua Bell is a very busy and successful man to his endeavor and I think it's time for him to loose and fulfill his one dream, to be a father. As his distant fan who simply watched and listened through internet since he's not popular in our country, but for a group of classical musicians/enthusiasts here, he's well-known. All I can say is, CONGRATULATIONS for having a little angel that will carry his name and legacy. Did Mr. Bell want his son to be a brilliant violin virtuoso as well? Well its possible for Josef whom his parents are both wonderful violinist.

Wish you all the best! Smile

SymphonyGirl · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

In response to Jamie's post, I am going to bet money that neither Josh or Lisa would necessarily push their son to study the violin unless he either grew to want to study it or showed an unusual aptitude for playing it.

Lisa Matricardi, only from what I have read, is an orchestra violinist. No word on whether or not she still is. But I can tell you from experiences in my work with the symphony that these jobs do not come up very often and when they do, they are incredibly difficult to get. That means you have to be very, very good. We do not have the kind of biography on her that we do on Josh. And what we know of Josh is that he showed an unusual gift for the violin at an early age, had parents smart enough to recognize their son was on to something and took it from there.

Josh has said many many times that his parents never pressured him to play the violin although his mom might have nagged him a time or two about practicing. (But what mom doesn't)

So it stands to reason that Josef's two parents are talented violinists but (insert a bit of humor here) they haven't mapped the musical gene yet. We really have no way of knowing how or if Josef will take to musical instruments. It makes sense to think that he would follow but Josh is a tough act to follow. He's the Highlander of violin classical music...there can be only One.

As I've said, we know very little about Lisa Matricardi's upbringing but we know a little bit about Josh's and what we know is that he had the best teachers and was given a bit of a free rein in regards to how diligently he practiced. What I have taken from this is that Josh was so gifted, he really didn't have to practice as much as other violinists do. I've noticed that when children, obviously looking to pattern their habits after him, have asked him about his practicing habits, Josh cleverly skirts the issue. I hope I'm not offending anyone by saying this and I could be dead wrong but I don't think Josh HAD to practice all that much, I think most of his studies in the violin came fairly easily to him, I think he knows it, and being a very modest man, he does not want to either to profess he was aware of how well and easily he played nor does he want to tell some young novice not to practice.

This modesty is one of the things I like best about Joshua. I think the man is unusually gifted and brilliant. He finished high school early, was extremely mature for a teenager and has been, basically, kicking butt (excuse the vulgarism) in the classical world since he was 14. I think he's just very intelligent and very gifted. I think he's aware of it and while this awareness would lead weaker individuals down more sinister roads, Josh has put this on back burner and thrown himself unmercifully into his work. He behaves beautifully at all public and private functions, we do not see embarrassing photographs of him screamed across the media, he keeps his private life private yet shares the most important moments with his fans. Besides the music, there is a lot to like about him.

As usual, I've gone off course here. Very long story short, I think Lisa and Josh will watch young Josef and look for the behavior patterns that were recognized in them by their parents that led to the violin but I don't think they will pressure or require Josef to study simply because of their own work.

Right now... I think they're just wishing he'd sleep through the night already.

lindacolleen · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 71

Congratulations Joshua and Lisa.

I'm new on the forum and honestly knew nothing at all about your personal life until I just read your post.

Babies are always a blessing and I am thrilled for you.

I love your beautiful music and can only hope that being a father will fulfill your life in new ways and bring you much joy.

Yours, Linda Colleen

jpark5 · Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Posts: 33

Congratulations! Can't wait to see the photos!

Pollyann · Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Mission Viejo, CA

Well, my goodness....... it's been a long time since I've written a post on Josh's fan club site.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! TO BOTH JOSH AND LISA!!!
TRULY, BABIES ARE ALWAYS A BLESSING!!

As a 70 year old fan and also a grandmother of two, I heartily welcome little Josef...... may his life be rich and full........ his parents chose to bring him into this world.... and Josef, WELCOME!!!
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Pollyann

Tasha · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

How fantastic! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations (1,000,000X)!

How touching you named your son after your teacher. I've heard many fantastic stories about him, and I loved all of them.

Warmest wishes to you, Lisa, and Josef.

A fan · Joined: 08 Jan 2008 Posts: 38

Joshua,

My warmest congratulations to you, Josef, and Lisa! I know that you will be a great father to Josef.

Please, please post pictures of Josef (though of course you don't have to; it's of a personal nature).

Thank you so much for posting here! I am sorry that there are doubting people here.

Congratulations again!

(Also, I love your choice for Josef's name.)

A fan
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Joshua Bell is the best violinist in the world!

Deb · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 240 Location: Argentina

I don't know why I hadn't read this before. What a nice gesture from Joshua! Not everybody share this kind of news with the people of a forum, at least not posting themselves. He's always surprising me. I can imagine him, in the train with his laptop infront of him not knowing if to press the keys or not with the sound of the train as background music.

And, as he said, unconventional way of having a child... but I understand them. I'm single and I'm alone, time passes and most of the women want to become mother and many men want to become father. I'd like to have a child some day and I'd do the same if I wouldn't find a man to share my life with (I mean, somebody to love). At last, the most important is not if the child's parents are a couple or if they live together, the most important thing is that they both wanted to have a child and that's the biggest show of affection they can have with their son.

BTW, what an eloquent way of writing! The dream of a language teacher!

MiloArk · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 301

I'm new to the forum, so I realize this is old news. I did have to chuckle, though, "No, no...it's really me!" You gotta love the internet!

Mr. Bell, you and Lisa must have a thundering toddler on your hands by now. I pray all is well with your boy and that you and Lisa are thoroughly enjoying parenthood.

Best wishes to you!

MiloArk · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 301

Whoa! Another birthday just past for Josef! I wonder if he can say, 'Paganini' yet?

lovely · Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 2056 Location: Texas

MiloArk · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 301

Eukasherilyn · Joined: 10 Sep 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Mukilteo, WA

I see many articles that Joshua Bell (or some one writing it on behalf of Joshua Bell), his schedule and life is "crazy", but I strongly disagree that his life style is out of normal one.
I only think his talent with violin is extraordinally, but I think his life is the same as many other professional people may lead.
There are many field engineers who travels a lot while his family waiting for him home, or perhaps those works for UN, always sent to a country who needs their help, those people often needs to be away from home for sometimes years. And many Japanese dads work in local area or foreign country while his wife and children stays in the community ( it is harder in Japanese education system to transfer the school, and most stay in the metro area for the better education)
There are many kids grow up without his dad around all the time, but we are OK....there are many kids living with his/her dad but things sometimes go really crazy...

My father was an artist. He wrote many screen plays for animation films and directed the films. He did that for his life, and his works started some animation boom in Japan. But he was also alchoholic...he was never be violent or anything, but he made himself sick drinking. We lived together as a "normal" family till I moved to the US, but I do not remember we had a good conversation. ( he seemed very shy with his daughters) My mom stayed with him and us (my sis and I), and even to this day, after 9 years of his death, she is still with him, they never been together romantic like Hollywood couples would do, we never seen them saying "I love you" to each other ( if we had, we'd said ewww) but I understand that kind of love.
When I was young, I envied my friends who had "normal" dad...but growing up, and started to know who I am, ( am not an artist at all but am hopelessly romantic as my dad) I am very proud of my dad and what he did, and who he was. I am sure Josef Bell will be the same. And Josef's dad seem much more normal person compare to mine anyway...