TubeNet

What's next -- bring your own boombox?


Phoning it in
Ringing in its 20th season, the Chicago Sinfonietta will perform the World Premiere of Concertino for Cell Phones and Orchestra by noted African American composer David Baker. Commissioned by the Sinfonietta and Maestro Paul Freeman, this one-of-a-kind performance will incorporate audience participation by asking patrons to turn their cell phones back on! Using audience ring tones, as well as specific melodies that will be played by cell phones embedded in the percussion section, the concertino will integrate cell phone rings into the symphonic score.

Chicago Sinfonietta
Sunday, October 1 at 2:30pm
Lund Auditorium, Dominican University (7900 W Division in River Forest)
October 2 at 7:30pm
Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center (220 S Michigan Ave)

David Baker is a talented and respected musician who has composed many works of lasting value. But this novelty will prove to be entertaining for early 21st century audiences only, and possibly an enigma for future generations.

It's reminiscent of Haydn's pieces for hurdy-gurdy, an instrument that is (thankfully) long out of production.

Steve Marcus wrote:David Baker is a talented and respected musician who has composed many works of lasting value. But this novelty will prove to be entertaining for early 21st century audiences only, and possibly an enigma for future generations

So what? So are Jazz solos, which only exist at that moment between the performer and audience. What if its recorded, you say? It will still not be listened to in the same context, understanding the same quotes by posterity. That does not prevent people from performing or listening now, however.

Steve Marcus wrote:.. hurdy-gurdy, an instrument that is (thankfully) long out of production.

???
The hurdy-gurdy is alive and kicking, especially in European folk music. A Google search will give dozens of builders.
Here's a discography Garth Brooks? Jazz?

The baryton, the many stringed nephew of the cello where Haydn wrote a lot of pieces for, however is in disuse, although they started making them again as well.

http://www.bostontypewriterorchestra.com/
Now THIS is old skool!

MartyNeilan wrote:http://www.bostontypewriterorchestra.com/
Now THIS is old skool!

But would they have written for electric calculator, if they had known about it?