Classical music will be used as warning chimes in a new SUV.
Lincoln, a division of Ford, has recorded the musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra playing bursts of sound which will be used as warning and alert chimes in a new plug-in hybrid SUV.
The orchestra wasn’t given sheet music, instead musicians were encouraged to travel around in the SUV and think about their mood and experience.
“We were able to come up with a variety of different symphonic chimes drawing upon our experiences as orchestral musicians,” DSO principal violinist Eric Nowlin says in a youtube video. “I think we were able to use the musical language we use in orchestra every day.”
Originally 125 flourishes were recorded using a variety of instruments including brass, harps and strings.
The tones, which were whittled down to six and performed on percussion and string instruments, range from friendly non-critical to attention grabbing. The instrumental riffs will be applied to 25 different situations in the SUV.
Musicans from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform symphonic flourishes for a new SUV Photo: youtube
A critical sound is two repeated notes struck on a marimba in quick succession. The plucking of violins has been used for lighter, non-critical warnings.
“We were creating something totally new, and not just creating a music experience, but creating a reaction to that musical experience,” DSO First violinist Adrienne Ronmark says.
The new SUV is to be unveiled later this month at the LA Auto show.
