DIALTONES TELESYMPHONY
People usually regard cell phones in public as an annoyance. We’ve all heard about cell phones ringing during symphonies, ruining it for everybody. Well, American composer Golan Levin thinks slightly differently, with his Dialtones Telesymphony. He thinks of the cell phone as a musical instrument. People check-in to Levin’s concerts by registering their cell phone number, downloading a special ring tone to their cell phone, and sitting in an assigned seat. Then, the musicians play special musical instruments that are hooked up to computers that call people’s cell phones. The samples of the music, which imitates classical music and the sounds of animals, sound pretty cool.
Golan Levin is trying to add to American culture by playing music on cell phones. Whether he will be successful or not, I hope to find out.