The vuvuzela goes mainstream!

I’m delighted to see that the vuvuzela, the iconic musical instrument (or, depending on one’s perspective, instrument of sonic torture) of the 2010 World Cup football championships in South Africa, appears to have made the big time in Western civilization as well.

First comes a report of a gold-encrusted vuvuzela for the discerning aficionado.

A canny Austrian goldsmith has been assigned to create the world’s most expensive Vuvuzela.

Linz-based entrepreneur Klemens Pointner said today (Fri) he had received an order from a South African businessman to turn a three-Euro plastic trumpet into a unique gold-cast item worth 15,000 Euros [US $18,828].

“I really enjoyed creating this piece. I made sure I’d have it done in time for the final of the World Cup,” Pointner said.

The goldsmith added: “My client is a Russian oligarch who I met at a trade fair in Moscow. He wanted something truly unique to hand over as a gift to a business partner ahead of the kick-off of the final.”

Pointner – who refused to reveal his customer’s identity – said the white gold-clad Vuvuzela also features a one-carat diamond.

Vuvuzelas have become a bestseller across Austria over the past few months. Organisers of Vienna’s Donauinselfest, Europe’s biggest free of charge open air event, however banned the plastic trumpets from the venue last weekend.

Banned from a music festival? Why am I not surprised?

Next, would you believe that the vuvuzela is making an impression on the classical music scene? In the video clip below, three musicians from the Konzerthausorchester Berlin present works by Brahms and Ravel ‘adapted’ for the vuvuzela.

Note that I didn’t say what kind of impression the vuvuzela was making in classical music!

It’s even making its mark in fantasy movies. Here’s a slightly modified version of ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ with vuvuzela accompaniment.

I think I hear J. R. R. Tolkien spinning in his grave . . .

Finally, the animal kingdom is also expressing an opinion (sort of) about the noise.

And very well spoken that opinion was!

Peter