Joshua Bell

A couple of years ago, world-class violinist Joshua Bell played incognito at a Metro station in Washington, D.C., during the height of the morning rush hour. One person recognized Bell, and only a handful stopped to listen. Bell is in town this week to play with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and we wish he'd bring his Strad into a T station and do a few numbers while he's here. But we think we'll have to settle for a comfortable seat in Symphony Hall, where the charismatic, dramatic Bell will play the Brahms Violin Concerto with Sir Andrew Davis at the podium. The program also includes Debussy's gorgeous "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" and Stravinsky's "Firebird" Suite. -- Milva DiDomizio, Globe Staff