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For the first time ever, a performance of the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center was halted, a record broken courtesy of a ringing cell phone.
Tuesday night, during the final movements of Gustav Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, the music was brought to a dramatic halt by Maestro Alan Gilbert.
The culprit? The distinctive sound of iPhone’s “Marimba” ringtone.
A ringing phone in the first row could be heard throughout the Center’s Avery Fisher Hall each time the symphony came to a quiet moment in the performance.
It was then that Maestro Gilbert sharply turned his head to signal to the offending audience member that that was enough, reports the Wall Street Journal, who happened to have a reporter in the audience.
Ringtone Halts New York Philharmonic Mid-Song - ABC News
Seeded on Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:29 PM EST
Article Source: ABC News- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (10)
The ringtone continued to the point where Gilbert turned to the audience and asked that the culprit, said to be a male and a regular Philharmonic attendee, quiet his phone.
Gilbert finally stopped the orchestra mid-song until it happened, and resumed the concert’s grand finale only after he received confirmation that it would not happen again.
- 2 votes
#1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:30 PM ESTThe person should have been removed from the theater. I really dislike the cell phones. So many people who have/use them are just plain rude.
- 1 vote
#2 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:40 PM ESTA few theaters are being built which blocked cell reception. People complain about them all the time.
- 2 votes
A few theaters are being built which blocked cell reception.
I thought that was illegal. Am I wrong?
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/jamming-cell-phones-and-gps-equipment-against-law
Thought so. Took me a minute to find.
From my understanding it is not illegal to build structures which would block cell signals, however. If it were, secure facilities not owned by the government would be impossible. All you really need to do to block the signals is embed wire mesh (a Faraday cage, in effect) and thicken the walls which is also how you can soundproof the building.
What you found was the law against jamming devices. Active blocking of signals is illegal.
- 1 vote
I wonder if this was this person's first time to the symphony? Checking your mobile before the performance starts is extremely important for both the performers and guests alike. I hoped they learned their lesson.
- 1 vote
#3 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:14 PM ESTAccording to the story, he's a regular. Sitting in the first row, he's probably a patron of the Philharmonic. Those seats are only sold by subscription and to big donors and run for ~$125 ea.
- 1 vote
According to the story, he's a regular.
Well there's no excuse then. What a maroon.
- 1 vote
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