A Concertino for Cellphones and Orchestra
"Ladies & gentlemen, please turn on your cellphones."
What?! Is this reverse psychology? No, apparently not, according to a recent article in the New York Times. This new work by David N. Baker, a composer and professor of music at Indiana University was premiered last weekend by the Chicago Sinfonietta. A Concertino for Cellular Phones and Symphony Orchestra! This caught my attention and I was increasingly intrigued as I read on.
Apparently, this work not only involves cellular phone -- you guessed it -- ring tones, but audience participation! A light device instructs the specific sections of audience members when to activate their ringtones at different points in the piece.
You can read on about this interesting work here.
An interesting concept. I am very curious to hear this work, preferably live, so I can participate! Too gimmicky? You decide, but it is certainly making a statement about modern society and its sounds. It also makes the concert-going experience more exciting for people. A new meaning to "audience participation" indeed!
posted by Donna @ 12:41 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Cell Phones UGH!!!!!!! A few years ago Raphael Fruhbeck de Burgos was conducting the Verdi Requiem on an Opening Night concert for the Boston Symphony Orchestra's new season. Within ten seconds of his beginning the very quiet opening of the Requiem, a cell phone rang loudly. De Burgos stopped and started again. Then another loud cell phone went off in almost the identical place in the soft opening of the Requiem!
Some orchestras have considered blocking cell phone coverage in their concert halls. However, there is concern as to possible liability if, for example, a doctor missed an emergency call regarding a patient because his or her cell phone had been blocked.
But cell phones are a huge problem. One of them went off during one of the Wagner Ring Cycle operas a few weeks ago in the wonderful new opera house in Toronto. What a shame!
Rufus
I have to agree; cell phones in any capacity should be dissuaded (especially) at classical performances. Besides, the field of cotton-heads in the audience won't get it, or otherwise miscue their rings. That type of theatrical cross-over worked in the 60's, but I find that audience input is incongruent to the musical theme that the artist is trying to convey.
But a synchronized laser-light show--Now You're Smokin'! You'd need EMTs to handle that rush!
J.Cee
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