May 15, 2023

Someone was caught smuggling 375 pounds of Fruit Roll-Ups into Israel to cash in the craze with an estimated street value of about $12,000. A viral TikTok post was to blame.

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In today's email:

The big idea: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the cell phone vanquisher!
Tech: Shazam gets classy with apple music classical integration
Interview: The man behind the sound for Chevalier
Tweet of the week
Around the web: Conspiracy theories abound over composer with a large mustache seen at the King’s coronation, an underwater livestream for a good cause, a stray dog saves the day, plus more curious internet finds.

CLASSICAL CHARTS

THE BIG IDEA

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Cell Phone Vanquisher!

Oops, it happened again.

The Philadelphia Orchestra was disrupted for the second time in a week by a ringing cell phone during a concert.

The original sin

The first disturbance happened during last Saturday’s performance at Philadelphia's Verizon Hall with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9. The phone started ringing during a quiet passage prompting Nézet-Séguin to stop the performance, and re-start the moment. The phone started to ring out again, causing a now frustrated Nézet-Séguin to restart the movement a second time.

“Can we just spend one hour of our lives without the damn phones, please?” Nézet-Séguin quipped.

It was the sentiment heard around the world. Then came the Twitter memes:

The Philadelphia Orchestra took up the challenge.

A second cell phone disturbance...

…happened again this past Thursday night, as the Philadelphia orchestra eased into the quiet opening of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique when an obnoxious cell phone offender ruined the moment yet again. Nézet-Séguin, again, stopped the music and reminded the audience to turn off their phones.

Why does this keep happening? This incident highlights the ongoing issue of cell phone disruptions during live performances around the world.

A recent study revealed that 73% of music enthusiasts are in favour of prohibiting mobile phones at concerts. However, when we inquired about their sharing habits, the responses painted a different picture. According to our Australian Music Fans Report, 45% of all fans admitted to sharing images, videos, or updates from the event on social media while in attendance, with that figure soaring to 79% for Gen Z.

This presents a conundrum: concert-goers want to share their experiences in real time, but they also don't want to be interrupted by phones. This dilemma leaves event organizers and venues in a tough spot.

At what point do devices cease being a nuisance and begin affecting the success of an event?

One solution is for concert presenters to take matters into their own hands and turn the concert hall into a giant Faraday cage.

A pub owner in the U.K was so frustrated with inti-social punters on cell phones, he transformed his pub into a giant Faraday cage by covering the walls with tin foil.

Did it work? You bet it did. A Faraday cage prevents electromagnetic signals from reaching objects within it. It was originally developed to shield sensitive equipment from radio interference. In recent times, Faraday cages have also been incorporated into wallets to safeguard individuals from the potential theft of RF data when using contactless payment features on credit and debit cards.

TOUR DE HEADLINES

(Photo Fiona Fey/Facebook)

‘I felt so betrayed’: classical musician forced out of London flat after noise complaints. Mediaeval Baebes member Fiona Fey is being forced out of her London flat after noise complaints, threatening her livelihood. | The Guardian

Tenor & Drag Performer Jordan Weatherston Pitts Speaks Out About Social Media Altercation with Pretty Yende. Tenor and drag performer Jordan Weatherston Pitts engaged in a social media clash with soprano Pretty Yende after using the name "Petty Yende" for his drag persona. Yende called him an imposter, leading to the suspension of Pitts' Instagram account and career setbacks | OperaWire

Vancouver Opera chorus singer hits last note on 50-year career. Bette Cosar, a chorus member with the Vancouver Opera completed her 118th production before retiring. She was praised for her dedication and contribution to the company, and plans to focus on sports in retirement. | CBC

Kate Middleton Makes a Surprise Appearance on Eurovision Song Contest — Playing the Piano. Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, showcased her musical talent by contributing a piano performance to the opening sequence film of the Eurovision Song Contest. The performance was recorded at Windsor Castle. | People

TECH

Shazam Gets Classy with Apple Music Classical Integration

Apple just updated Shazam to play nice with Apple Music Classical, making it easier than ever for subscribers to get a classical music fix.

If you’re unfamiliar, Shazam is an application that identifies music based on a short sample played and using the microphone on the device.

What's New:

Simply press the Shazam button to identify classical music and send it to the classical app.
Works with iPhones running iOS 15.4 or later and iPads on iPadOS 15 and later.

Classical Music Heaven

Apple Music Classical launched in March, growing from Apple's acquisition of Primephonic.
Boasts over 5 million classical songs, the world's largest classical music library.
Includes precise search results using composer, work, opus number, conductor, artist, and more.

The big picture: This update bridges the gap between two of Apple's acquisitions, making it simpler for classical music lovers to discover and enjoy their favourite pieces.

Bonus fact: Did you know that Shazam got its start in 1999 — that’s right, over 21 years ago — as a text message service?

INTERVIEW

The Man Behind the Sound for Chevalier

Chevalier, the movie that brings the life of Joseph de Bologne Saint-Georges, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, to the silver screen, opened in North America last month. Naturally, music is a big part of the story, but along with it, the atmosphere of 18th century Paris, where Bologne made his home.

Supervising Sound Editor Greg Hedgepath has had a decades-long career in the film and TV business. Along with the glorious music-rich sounds of Chevalier, he created the icky bug alien sounds for Starship Troopers (1997) and the tornadoes in Twister (1996). He’s also won two Golden Reel awards for his work.

He talked to Ludwig Van about the job and the challenges of Chevalier.

Sound Editing For Film

“My job is supervising the sound editors,” explains Greg Hedgepath

So, what does a sound editor do, and sound editing supervisor, supervise? As he explains the process, the first step involves consultation with the director on a scene-by-scene basis. He takes notes about the specific effects and impact the director intends, and how the sounds – including the score of course – work into it.

“The sound editor will choose all the appropriate sounds for that scene,” he says. “We do have different editors for different tasks.”

Read the rest [HERE].

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: In 1928, The first Mickey Mouse film was screened. The 6-minute film “Plane Crazy” directed by Walt Disney, shows Mickey trying to fly an airplane in reference to Charles Lindbergh.

🐟 Good vibes: You can help the environment by watching an underwater livestream. If you see some fish, press a button to open up the dam and allow them to migrate.

🤔 Interesting: Finally, a website that answers the age-old question of "Where would you end up if you could dig a hole through the Earth?" (And no, it's probably not China or Australia).

💪 Deep thoughts: Learn about philosophy, bro.

☠️ Spooky: Google Street View of Texas cemetery goes viral after bizarre skeleton sighting.

👓 Controversy: Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins denies he was Duchess of Sussex in disguise at King's coronation.

🍣 Long read: How two guys sparked L.A.’s Sushi obsession — and changed how America eats.

🐕 Aww: And now, an amazing stray dog saves the day.

TWEET OF THE WEEK

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Today's email was brought to you by Anya "Faraday cage" Wassenberg and Michael "Shazam" Vincent.

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