Orchestras pranking their conductors on their birthdays | Classic FM

When orchestras surprise conductors on their birthday, and their reactions are even better than the music...
Bravo to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, SWR Symphonie and Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, for their excellent musicianship and thoughtful music-making.
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[@erick-gd7wo]

To fuse together Beethoven Symphony 3 and Happy Birthday is really genius. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@barridise]

Spectacular

[@samreallylovescoffee]

That's some asperger syndrome level of genius 😂

[@-the_emperor-1660]

Truly highlights the skill of every and each of the musicians

[@newagain9964]

I’m gonna find out who arranged it. Super clever as if Ludwig did his version.

[@julievanderleest]

Doing so without the conductor is quite impressive too.

[@Bloodpix]

The fact that they not only put Happy Birthday into Eroica pretty seamlessly and then further announced it by giving each section a moment personally in the song? Give 'em a medal. What a wonderful orchestra! WHAT LOVE AND RESPECT!!

[@dirkhoekstra727]

The second one was absolutely fantastic! The whole orchestra must have come together in secret to practice that without the presence of the conductor!

[@asgeirsoe]

Not necessarily. Assuming they were handed parts and possibly with instructions where to specifically bring out the birthday theme (probably don’t even need that, as the rhythm of it is easily recognizable), they could have easily just sight read this. It is just the original piece with some added/edited bits. A nice surprise and a fun listen, though!

[@MusicismoreImportant]

Richard Wagner 😊

[@khb6686]

That was a priceless gift.

[@ernestogasulla7763]

The SWR really went the extra mile with their arrangement... wonder how they managed to keep the rehearsals secret.

[@erick-gd7wo]

It is indeed, someone need to put the theme and fit it to the existing score and harmonically match. A real work...

[@Frisbieinstein]

Pro orchestras can sight read a simple thing like that.

[@Widdox]

The real hero is the person who was able to make that arrangement.

[@cydkriletich6538]

I was wondering the same thing.

[@andregenter4213]

(SWR) He won’t forget that 😅

[@0Chefkoch0]

I am definitely not an orchestra person, but something about these is so unbelievably wholesome.

[@dilandilanjoao4310]

Whoever mixed Beethoven with H.birthday his brilliant.

[@warlorden]

second one was epic

[@macsmith2013]

So wholesome! If your orchestra is doing something like this for you, you know you must have done something right.

[@WhySeeF]

Sir Roger is so cute he even try to conduct it 😂😂 The mash up of the two songs is chef kiss

[@kenyonbissett3512]

The audiences loved being part of it and not just listeners. 👏🏼 🥳

[@Angela-en6oh]

These are, without doubt, the very best versions of “happy birthday to you” that I have ever heard. What wonderful performances by all the orchestras. ❤

[@lisahinton9682]

These made me cry. I watched several times and cried each time. I remember my junior high and high school band teachers with such fondness and I know part of my emotions is from remembering those happy times more than forty years ago. _(Thank you, Mr James Wonnocott and Mr Kenneth Mehalko. I didn't know then just how profoundly those years would count as some of the very happiest memories of my school years. You two are two of the very best teachers I had in all my school years, and I thank you so very much.)_

[@SraTacoMal]

Thank you, Mr. Jeremy Bellion!!! -With fondness always, "Hara Darris" 😉

[@nikiTricoteuse]

The look on the conductor's face at 1:17 when he realised that, yes they were playing happy birthday was my favourite part. Not to mention the effort that must have gone into that mash up.

[@sarahdalmeida9160]

The most adorable mutiny!

[@L_Martin]

Now this is a mutiny I can get behind!

[@hpasgaard3783]

wonderful to see this type of salutes incorporated by the musicians. Loved the conductors reactions.

[@gerry0543]

This so much better than a simple paper birthday card. But when the whole orchestra does this, then you've done something right in your conducting life.

[@samukis272]

The most in-tune happy birthday-s you'll ever hear.

[@jakesrailwaychannel]

Happy birthday to the conductor of the last orchestra! What a wonderful thing to do and get the audience singing along

[@joankonkle6972]

Perfect that this came up today because it is my birthday too! 9/8/23 Only problem is, now I want an orchestra to play for me.

[@veronicaoliveiro6367]

The composer of ‘happy birthday’ would be very proud.

[@seanbarker8234]

That Eroica fusion is brilliant

[@jddrew1000]

The pure joy and amazement beaming from Maestro Norrington!! What a special moment that must've been for him!

[@savedlema]

There’s hope in this rugged world, don’t give up!

[@awildjared1396]

My high school band did this for our director last year, it was sloppy, but she appreciated it and that was great day in class.

[@audionmusic2787]

Camaraderie among artists is beauty indeed.

[@jamilarakhmanova7692]

So professional and cute at the same time, very touching

[@Nobilangelo]

Birthdays with wonderful strings attached. And brass, wood and percussion. And many loving hearts.

[@maeganbarrett]

Love it when things like this happen. Shows they love the people they work for and with

[@wendypetersen7529]

So cool, You can see from their faces that they got a great deal of pleasure being able to present these gifts. Not every orchestra would care enough or bother to take the time. However, the version slipped into Beethoven - absolutely phenomenal and so seamless, like it was originally written that way. Bravo

[@Vwordz]

The smiles on the conductors faces r priceless... Butiful ❤

[@risksikrikak903]

I just discovered these.I love symphony and these pranks are so heartwarming and uplifting.

[@j.e.b.1912]

This was recommended to me on MY Birthday! ‘‘Twas so sweet to listen to!

[@johnnytheyoungmaestro]

These are some of the most wholesome and heartwarming pranks I've ever seen. I love the reactions from the conductors! :)

[@headlessspaceman5681]

The most heartwarming prank ever?

[@thiago2000.mp4]

Oh my, i would straight cry if i was there and a whole orchestra sang me a happy birthday❤

[@doresca1634]

These were just wonderful…seeing how the surprise touched them ❤ any musical version of happy birthday with add ons is always that much more special..after all just that’s one day a year we get 🎂

[@DawnMK2023]

I wanna hug Sir Roger Norrington.

[@supericoncaproductions5509]

Honestly these performances have made me so emotional 😭😭😭

[@Eric-jo8uh]

What an honour 💕💕

[@ilyaverse]

How nice would it feel that that many people loves you and dedicates a song for you on your birthday. My birthdays are just like ordinary days.

[@tammytam1392]

These are all just amazing on every level!! Just bring joy to anybody who is watching this! You can’t help but smile! Bravo to them all! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@bath_foam4576]

the smiles on their faces... precious

[@oflode2992]

I don't know what is it about these kind of videos that almost move me to tears.

[@hestergreen2031]

He must truly be loved as a conductor of his orchestra. What a lovely tribute, a lovely gracious tribute to him. Happy birthday sir. And many, many more..

[@Flubbydubbydoodoo]

More proof that the happy birthday song is the most awkward song to the intended target, whoever you are!

[@camajespa]

These conductors seem to be very appreciated by "their" orchestra. I once was part of a junior orchestra in music conservatoire when I was 15y-o. The conductor was screaming at us all the time, he made me quit violin studies. Unfortunately, I keep very bad memories about this stressful experience. I'm glad it is not the case for everybody! music is such a wonderful thing!

[@missagente8100]

Aw, I’m sorry to hear that. 🙁 But, with all due respect, these conductors were working with adults instead of kids.

[@camajespa]

@@missagente8100 thanks. Yes, I think he should have...

[@OGTr1ck23]

Huge love and respect to conductors. 😅

[@sam_tyler]

Warms my heart! Thank you. ❤

[@komal6773]

Purely genuine, no copycat.

[@ykrgfk]

Norrington's reaction is lovely. How come there isn't one for John Eliot Gardner? LOL!

[@mirandahotspring4019]

Brilliant! Love it when an orchestra has a sense of humour!

[@Ouralbleu1]

Great ! A portion of happiness !

[@bernardrichards9247]

This warmed my heart!!!

[@irreduciblerascal]

Did you see the sheer joy 😊 on their faces 😊

[@livefreewjesus7174]

The second one has to be my favorite 0:06

[@AndySaenz]

Oh, wow, it sounds amazing mixed with Beethoven! Ludwig, eat your heart out.

[@marksheehan8026]

Shows how well they loved the conductors are ...

[@coldwarveteran6211]

Pure gold, everyone is smiling.

[@meiling3617]

This film clip made my heart filled with joy, and eyes 👀 tearful ! 💗💗💗

[@stevepipenger4651]

What strikes me is how universal that song is.

[@kathydavenport4422]

Look at that smile. Happy birthday dear sir

[@natalyam411]

How touching!

[@Radi_vvanker]

These are so sweet!

[@moderick]

How wonderful was this. Thank you.

[@CynVee]

Wonderful! Happy belated birthday to all 👏👏👏

[@gracev5288]

We just decorated the band room for our band director’s birthday. Then when the director emeritus came back to help us get ready for our marching band competition the next week we played “Happy Birthday” as warm up exercise 2c

[@RankinMsP]

This was so wholesome. Thanks

[@franzscharfenberger5144]

Had to watch this twice, so much fun 😂

[@TheNorwegianDudeShow]

I'm crying, this is so wholesome 😭🥲

[@ladybugzap]

This is beautiful

[@happydays3678]

So wonderful to see. ❤❤❤

[@sweetscent76]

So beautiful and creative. So wow!

[@ancientwisdom108]

Brilliant composition and execution... made me cry.❤

[@ofeliaramiscalestrada1202]

So sweet..

[@thalina2228]

I love this genre of love

[@user-harris]

Beautiful

[@artempriadko6974]

Happy birthday Beethoven was brilliant!

[@elinzme]

I absolutely love love love this!

[@jamesdi7261]

Wow, this is beautiful, it made me smile ❤️

[@nickb5891]

Goosebumps.

[@mouradadnane1842]

Magnifique !

[@lidstrom3565]

Such a feelgood video ❤! I love it ❤! Priceless ❤!

[@kathdudek1673]

Superb orchestration for the mash up!! Wow!! 🥳💥☺️

[@cydkriletich6538]

Loved this!

[@simonstclare]

After all those elderly audiences and all that emotion, there wasn't a dry seat in the house

[@davidjohnson5845]

So very beautiful. Happy Birthday Sir. 😀🖐

[@Ranakade]

That second one is an amazing variation lf happy birthday 🤣❤🙌

[@jodywho6696]

Awesome. I always cry at happy times✨💙✨💜✨💚✨💃✨

[@schrap72]

Wonderful! 💗💗💗💗

[@ritakonig1891]

What a happy conduct indeed. No pun intended. 😂❤😂❤😂

[@miffy1950]

Fantastic!!!

[@nicholasnguyen5181]

That’s amazing

[@Layla0416]

Loved it!

[@stevenfromer3816]

Awesome

[@benza8946]

Incredibly wholesome ngl

[@carmenmoldoveanu4897]

That' s why this Planet will never die!

[@drinasun6984]

I'm playing this today!

[@kevinl6231]

I love the mashup on the Beethoven.

[@firelordOzai3]

Oh my goodness 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@tishabyte]

That last guy was ready and they were like nope lol