“I won’t rest until this piece gets the recognition it deserves”: classical guitar phenom Alexandra Whittingham demonstrates the late Romantic origins of the default Nokia ringtone

Alexandra Whittingham reveals classical origins of Nokia default ringtone.

Sometimes there is music all around us and we just can’t appreciate it, even when this music is presented precisely to get our attention. Take the Nokia ringtone. That’s right, the default ringtone of the indestructible 3310. There is more than meets the ear.

It is impossible to ignore, possibly triggering, most definitely antiquated in the smartphone era and most definitely annoying. But the melody itself is even older, and to illustrate its provenance, English classical guitar phenomenon Alexandra Whittingham has taken to social media to demonstrate how it should sound – and just as importantly, where it came from.