Stop the music !

The New York Philharmonic's performance of Mahler's Ninth Symphony was interrupted by a cell phone:

The jarring ringtone—the device's "Marimba" sound, which simulates the mallet instrument*—intruded in the middle of the movement, emanating from the first row at Avery Fisher Hall.

When the phone wasn't immediately hushed, audience members shook their heads. It continued to chime, and music director Alan Gilbert turned his head sharply to the left, signaling his displeasure. Minutes passed. Each time the orchestra reached a quiet section, the phone could be heard above the hushed, reverent notes. Finally, Mr. Gilbert could take no more: He stopped the orchestra...

After Mr. Gilbert took matters into his own hands, the man reached into his pocket and silenced the device. Mr. Gilbert asked him: "Is it off? It won't come on again?" The man nodded.

Satisfied, the conductor addressed the audience. Usually, Mr. Gilbert said, it is best to ignore disruptions, because the reaction itself can be even more disruptive. "This was so egregious that I couldn't let it go by," Mr. Gilbert told the audience, apologizing.

The audience applauded vigorously.

Further details in the Wall Street Journal.

*Update:  The original posting of this story was at thousandfold echo, who report that the sound came NOT from the phone ringing (it HAD been silenced), but from a preset clock alarm.