A Fresh Platform for a 327-Year-Old Musician

 This is an article from Wall Street Journal. It is about the celebration of J.S. Bach's birthday, which inspired some musicians, or anyone who plays instrument, to take part by playing Bach's music in public places, such as subway stations or parks. One of the persons was my beloved one. I posted in here so that I can show to our children about their father's humbleness and his heart that's always willing to serve others.

The sight of violinist Timothy Law setting up in a passageway during Wednesday rush hour was an unfamiliar one for strap-hangers in the 180th Street station in the Bronx. Workers were putting the finishing touches on a $40 million renovation of the landmarked building that had begun in 2009.

Cellist John Mark Rozendaal, left, performed Wednesday on the Wall Street 4/5 subway platform as part of Bach in the Subways Day.

"He's the new kid on the block," one transit worker said. "You couldn't even play music here until a few weeks ago."

But as Mr. Law began to play, the sound reverberating through the station's scalloped glass ceiling and tiled walls, the tune proved familiar to some. "'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring,'" said a TSA employee manning a bag-inspection table outside the turnstiles. "Johann Sebastian Bach."

The impromptu 90-minute Bach performance—which slowed some commuters, stopped several in their tracks and went unnoticed by others—was not what the TSA and NYPD personnel on hand might have called "an isolated incident." Wednesday marked Bach's 327th birthday, meaning it also marked the second birthday for Bach in the Subways Day, a series of commemorative ad hoc recitals, organized by cellist Dale Henderson, in subway stations all across the city.

The event anticipated a benefit concert set for Sunday at Christ and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, "Happy Birthday Bach!," which will present members of the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra interpreting Bach in a more traditional setting. Both the underground and onstage events are meant, in the words of a commemorative postcard Mr. Law laid in front of his music stand, "to celebrate Bach's life and music, and to sow the seeds for future generations of classical-music lovers."

A few days earlier, Mr. Henderson, a cellist who has himself performed Bach in the subway since 2008, explained his missionary impulse.

"New York's a bubble," he said. "People are unusually interested in the arts here. But even in New York people don't hear much live classical music. It's expensive and less accessible than what's on the radio and it takes more attention and time."

He described honoring New Yorkers' tastes on Bach's birthday as an act of devotion. "I'm not a religious person, but if someone held a gun to my head, I'd say my religion is Bach."

By the end of the day on Wednesday, more than a dozen musicians had performed for free in 11 stations from Brooklyn to the Bronx. While a few had participated in last year's considerably smaller-scale birthday congregation, some newcomers, like Mr. Law, a full-time computer-maintenance expert and network specialist who, had volunteered via social networks. By Wednesday morning, word had spread to the public, according to one listener.

"They're doing this everywhere on the subway today," said Leon, a graphic-design student, while pausing at the start of a long commute to Long Island. "I read about it on Facebook. It's already spreading, man."

Mr. Law's recital earned praise from passersby and a dollar offering, which he politely waved off with his bow.

Downtown at the Wall Street 4/5 platform, where John Mark Rozendaal performed Bach's "First Cello Suite, Minuet" on an 18th-century baroque cello, the reception was arguably cooler. Incoming and outgoing trains proved to be formidable competition. One late-morning commuter warily removed an earbud out of curiosity, then the other, before boarding an uptown 5 and replacing both. Others made calls. The doors of a 4 train just arriving from Brooklyn briefly revealed a subway rider quoting scripture to his fellow passengers in a West Indian accent. Mr. Rozendaal remained lost in the music.

This was Mr. Rozendaal's first time playing in the subway, as was the case for many involved in the celebration. "I may do this again," he said during a pause. "It's so interesting to play for an audience that may or may not be attentive. Also, it's fascinating when the subways are going by and I can't hear myself at all."

One express stop north, the Union Square station was already hosting a Jimi Hendrix soundalike and a mariachi trio. Just out of earshot of the Saw Lady's rendition of "The Sound of Music" theme, Michael Lunapiena took advantage of an alcove and an amplifier as he played Bach's "Prelude in D" on a cello.

"I don't really play a lot of classical music anymore, so it's nice once in a while," said Mr. Lunapiena, a veteran subway performer and alumnus of last year's "Bach in the Subway Day" event. "I play a lot with rock bands. In the subways I usually do my own music."

Adam Mugavero, an eyewear designer pausing with his 7-month-old daughter harassed to his chest, took in the music. "It's lovely," he said. "He doesn't even need that amp. His intonation's perfect."

As if on cue, Mr. Lunapiena dropped a note. "I jinxed him," Mr. Mugavero said. "That's my fault."

When the piece came to a close, Mr. Mugavero, a sometime musician himself, applauded. "I've played in the subway before," he said. "It's really different just to be on your own. Nobody's there for you."

He looked around as two tourists pocketed iPhones that had captured the performance. "This is really nice, though. It's really relevant. I love that it's part of subway culture."

A version of this article appeared Mar. 23, 2012, on page A22 in some U.S. editions of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: A Fresh Platform for a 327-Year-Old Musician.