FRANKFURT — Mobile phones are frequently regarded as the bane of classical music concerts, especially when they go off mid-performance. But it wasn’t a jarring ring that shattered the concentration of Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman during a recital Monday in the German city of Essen. Rather, the 56-year-old stormed off when he noticed an audience member filming the concert with a smartphone, organisers told AFP. Zimerman, renowned for his perfectionism and regarded by many as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, was giving a rare solo recital of works by Debussy, Brahms and Szymanowski in Essen’s Philharmonic Hall as part of the prestigious Ruhr Piano Festival. “He noticed someone up in the choir seats filming the concert on their smartphone. We think it was probably an iPhone,” said festival spokeswoman Anke Demirsoy. — AFP