New video: After the cellphone, the pianist returns a little shakily to Haydn

New video: After the cellphone, the pianist returns a little shakily to Haydn

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norman lebrecht

November 01, 2013

Many readers have written in to ask what Christian Zacharias did after breaking off his concerto when a cellphone rang. Well, the concert continued. Video of the encore has just been released. The enterprising pianist reaches deep down into his resources – and totally changes the atmosphere. Watch.

zacharias

Comments

  • Martin says:

    That’s what I mean by turning a negative scenario into something positive.

  • olivier says:

    Fair play!

  • Martin says:

    Btw, this whole episode has other positive (side) effects.

    I’ve never heared of http://www.gsoplay.se before, now I’m aware of that site.

    Also never noticed composer Andrea Tarrodi (one of his pieces can be heared in gsoplay), who has written a few interesting compositions, i.e. a Concerto for Two Horns and Wind Orchestra one one for oboe and stings.

  • Lorna says:

    Sadly, not an isolated incident. Brilliantly handled. (…or should that be ‘haydn-ed’, groan!)

  • Can you imagine how mortified the owner of the phone must have been? I would have died 100 deaths!!! I once put my phone on silent during a particularly boring play and it went off in this hip bag I was wearing and sounded like a trapped woodpecker. I almost died. I had to run out of the theatre. At least Iphones REMAIN obediently silent and vibrate gently.

  • Lorna says:

    With the best will in the world, it can happen to anyone, but so glad it wasn’t me!

  • USELLINI silvio says:

    In the last (2012) Rina Sala Gallo Piano Competition in Monza during the final test with orchestra

    a cellophon rang. The Conductor stopped the orchestra and………it was his phone!

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