I don't believe anyone could have talked Joshua Bell into doing this other than Michael (and for free, I'm remembering, as the orchestra was broke that year and could only pay - for the final concert of the season - the musicians transportation...and sponsors covered lodging...ie. the entire orchestra agreed to play the final concert of the season for FREE) as Michael's Dad - Isaac - had done so much for Joshua's career...
...but I snapped this rehearsal pic.
Joshua artfully negotiated his way (first half) through Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole and then (rather than jumping in a cab and heading to the airport) - second half - agreed to sit in the concertmaster seat and play all of the solos in Scheherezade
On the phone, Michael had asked Joshua if he might be willing to send in violin bowings, to which Joshua replied "No. I'll just call them out during the first rehearsal, if anything doesn't seem obvious.
There WAS enough money for a nice after-concert (late night) private orchestra party at a nearby restaurant.
I did not choose go to that (preferring to get a good night's sleep), but I heard that the front door remained unlocked, it was fairly dark in there, and Joshua just casually stuffed his Strad under a chair where it basically remained unattended.
(I suspect others felt obligated to keep their eyes on it for him.)btw...
He's plays pretty good.
