To showcase the versatility of modern mobile phones and its extensive range of handsets, the UK’s most trusted electrical retailer AO has partnered with the renowned Manchester Camerata to create the UK’s first orchestra featuring a dedicated mobile phone section.
Recorded live at Manchester’s Stoller Hall, the performance brings together classical music and mobile technology, with four musicians performing using mobile phone keypads alongside a live orchestra. The project reimagines some of the world’s most recognisable classical compositions using sounds that millions of people hear every day.
From Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Auld Lang Syne, the specially arranged medley demonstrates how everyday technology can be transformed into an unexpected musical instrument when combined with creativity and orchestral expertise.
The 21-piece ensemble comprises four musicians performing on mobile phone keypads, alongside 14 string players, a timpani player and two brass players. Together, they created a fresh interpretation of classical favourites by incorporating mobile phone sounds into a live orchestral performance.
Filmed at one of Manchester’s leading music venues, the project challenged Manchester Camerata to transform familiar keypad tones into an integral part of an orchestral arrangement, highlighting the versatility of today’s mobile phones in a unique and unexpected way.
Speaking about the performance, conductor Tim Crooks said: “This is unlike anything we’ve ever performed. People use their phones for almost every aspect of daily life, but creating orchestral music with them probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. That’s what made this project so enjoyable. It challenged the musicians in completely new ways and demonstrates just how versatile modern technology can be when creativity is involved. We hope audiences are as surprised and entertained by the result as we were.”
The medley is now available to stream on Spotify, while the full performance can be viewed at ao.com/mobile-phones/simphony.
Alongside its range of mobile handsets, AO also offers mobile plans through AO Mobile, with members able to get 500GB of data, unlimited calls and texts, and 15GB of EU roaming inclusive for £12 a month. Find out more at ao.com/mobile-phones/ao-mobile.