Posted on 01/13/2012 2:20:09 PM PST by DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis
Concertgoers at the New York Philharmonic Tuesday night did not have to be musicologists to work out that the marimba was not part of the famous work.
Conductor Alan Gilbert halted the performance of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony when the offending iPhone ringtone sounded -- and persisted.
Just minutes from the end of the hour and a half-long piece, Gilbert turned to the phone's owner, seated close to the front of Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, according to an eyewitness account published by "Superconductor" blogger Paul Pelkonen.
“The symphony ends incredibly quietly so there was literally no way that we could go on, Gilbert told NBC News. "So I stopped the music and I asked the general vicinity where the sound was coming from ‘please turn off your cellphone.’ And I had to ask several times..."
In the ensuing pause, some in the audience reportedly called for blood, shouting: "Kick him out!" and "$1,000 fine!" the witness recounted.
Gilbert quietly employed shame until the offender -- described as an elderly man by another blogger -- confirmed that the phone was off.
(Excerpt) Read more at usnews.msnbc.msn.com ...
That really sucks. People paid good money to be swept away by the music, and had to be rudely returned to reality by some idiot that couldn’t shut his phone off.
They shouldn’t allow phones in these types of venues.
That guy will have to go into Haydn. (HA!)
Some people have jobs that require them to have there cell phones on (medical, IT, security). But there is no valid reason this idiot could not have at least put his phone on vibrate. He should by everyone a drink at least.
The man probably fell asleep.
There’s a reason they advise people that have trouble falling to sleep to listen to classical music.
Several states are moving to outlaw to listening to classical music as you drive. The number of accidents caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel has become almost epidemic.
Hey, you should sign on as this guy’s attorney.
Notice they NEVER identify the guy BECAUSE he’s a LEFTIST!
Light from their screens is equally anoining in a darken concert hall or theater.
Maximum Douche! Do it to the maximum!
I’m sorry, but it has always seemed odd to me that some people treat listening to classical music as if it were almost a religious event.
If classical music and symphonies had arisen in Asia instead of Europe, it wouldn’t be held up as the pinnacle of music, it would just be another of the world’s musical styles.
And, I say that as someone that has zero bias against western culture.
I heard he was seen at Walmart with a long Chopin Liszt. (HA!)
My wife and I were watching an early episode, maybe the first, of Get Smart. he was sitting in a movie theater when his shoe phone started ringing. It was even funnier now than I remember it being when I first saw it in the 1960’s.
It really is amazing, though. They ask people to silence their cell phones prior to a seminar session, movie, religious service, concert, or whatever, and still, the inconsiderate jerks leave them on.
He had to go to Walmart because after he was caught they baroque his phone. (Ouch!)
After the furor dies down he'll be Bach.
Good one.
He probably thought it was Haydn's No. 64 - Surprise!
Yeah, but he’ll be bach in a minuet...
I was at a movie and a girl across the aisle and slightly in front of me kept texting.
No sound,but the glow from the phone was quite distracting.
I spoke to her and she stopped.
Why she even paid to attend is beyond me.
Unforgiveable ...
Now, if his ringtone had just been “I’m a lumberjack, and I’m okay. I sleep all night and I work all day...” then I can see giving him some slack.
It might not be a religious event, but it is an EXPENSIVE event, and kind of quiet in most symphonies making the phone very audible to the audience. The rules of polite society are pretty simple: don’t make noise during a theatrical event (symphony, play, movie) that’s not a direct result of the event (applause and laughter obviously good, yabbering not). The rest of the audience didn’t pay to listen to you, you can tell because you’re in the same type of seats as them. Turn off the phone.
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