Happy Birthday, by Beethoven? Bach? Mozart? - Nicole Pesce on piano

Nicole Pesce in concert at Tempe Center for the Arts, not only showed her virtousity, but gave us a taste of her creativity and humor. In this clip, she speculates on how the master composers may have played one of today's most popular songs.
June 24, 2011

[@sophias8382]

0:21 Beethoven- Moonlight Sonata 1:18 Chopin- Military Polonaise (left hand octaves sound like Heroic Polonaise) 1:52 Brahms- Lullaby 2:20 Bach- Toccata and Fugue in D minor

[@artistfun9051]

u frgot mozart

[@trickeyrocks2340]

Thanks man

[@Dancestar1981]

Not Moonlight Sonata previous section was what is know as the pathetique sonata

[@user-rv9yt2gq6c]

You should go to the top of the comments

[@dodostrecansky]

4:50 f**king clapping and i did not heared anything

[@DivaAlmeidaPT]

I never get tired of watching this video. Fantastic interpretation at all levels. She should produce more musical sketches like this, so much fun!

[@rossanamagalhaes7032]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@jawsh8227]

I actually wanna learn Beethoven's version of happy birthday. It sounds so nice.

[@G6JPG]

If you poke around KZbin looking at the Happy Birthday variations, I think some of them do either show, or include links to, the sheet music.

[@pardist]

It's the moonlight sonata. You have terzine and the tempo is slow so it's not so hard in fact you can learn the first movement in your second piano year. Or even play it first sight not so hardly.

[@easymathwithcoachmike]

Wow. This lady is just awesome. What a talent! ❤️

[@Danny30011980]

Wow, I never knew Happy Birthday could be transferred into so many classical composer's styles. And the speed she plays - amazingly skilled! Brillant!

[@captaindiligence7858]

Never heard of Victor Borge??

[@theresayy]

@@captaindiligence7858 That's what I said, she reminds me so much of Victor Borge. I miss him.

[@G6JPG]

There are many such medleys on KZbin. Though none of them have her "sozzled Mozart" version!

[@JeroenTheBoss]

Victor Borge in 1951 (!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/npzOea1urdZqoqc

[@G6JPG]

@@JeroenTheBoss Thanks for the link: nice to hear his version (though I wonder if it _was_ the earliest: I think the _idea_ has been around for yonks [Goldberg?]). I don't think anyone else does the _very_ drunk Mozart version though!

[@tomstage4906]

How do 1.7K people NOT like this??? Her left hand on the Chopin is amazing! 😲

[@silvana4537]

*È bravissima*

[@shamanthhl]

Why hasn't this blown up already?! She's really good!

[@RobertOrgRobert]

It doesn’t matter what people think of her interpretations she is still a damn good pianist

[@sortathesame8701]

Jealous people with no talent themselves.

[@TBlev215]

Hearing Chopin’s polonaises blows me away every time.

[@aljabirxiju9475]

it does matter if people think she is shit.

[@lopezcardenas4278]

Exelente y de muy buena Actitud❤🙌🎊✋😇

[@tiffanybag1584]

Grazie Nicole ❤

[@btplank4316]

Hey, I'm just glad there are those who are continuing to entertain the way Borge did. He got us to listen to classical music in a way that made us laugh at his comedic musical creativity, while appreciating his musical talent. His comedic talents led me to an appreciation of classical music that I might never have had without his irreverent treatment of the genre. Nicole Pesce is doing the same for another generation. Bravo!

[@elizabethbowie9753]

I was just thinking the same thing !!

[@johannsebastianbach3411]

Wow, that was definitely not me

[@sevenminaya1390]

+Johann Sebastian Bach you win the internet hahahahha.

[@GeorgeCharlesAllen]

+Johann Sebastian Bach More like a bad transcription of Bach by Liszt.

[@KontauriC07]

+Johann Sebastian Bach oh, welcome Bach! so you're Bach from the dead?

[@adityabodhe3340]

+Johann Sebastian Bach hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@Scensum]

+Johann Sebastian Bach Haha I know! You would've written a fugue.

[@BlossomFlowerGirl]

Thank you than you, never have I enjoyed listening to “Happy Birthday” as much as this. The lady is a brilliant pianist and if the great masters were alive today, they would doff their hats to her. Happy Birthday will never be the same again!

[@tst_2023]

I’m listening to this on my 19th birthday. So happy to be blessed by such magnificent musicians!

[@teentour1]

Me too but on my 80th birthday

[@Thompson1425]

That was so much fun, I could watch it a thousand times. Love her sense of humor! Lol...

[@GingerCampbell]

This was sent to me as a birthday present and I really enjoyed it!

[@PeaceMarauder]

I'm currently using it on fb bdays

[@jazzopera]

This has become my standard birthday card to friends. Brilliant. Excellent pianist with a wonderful sense of humor.

[@oscarotero6097]

I'll do that too!!

[@stevekensok5198]

Nicole, your talent is out of this world and you are funny too! What a great performance !!!!!!!!!!!! great presence, humble and SO talented

[@Cryptonymicus]

The spirit of Victor Borge lives on! Bravo!

[@thomasthune925]

I have a hard time believing all the nonsense in many of the comments so far. This time I want to thank her for her own interpretation of the possible musicality of various composers of the past. Then I commend her for her personal sense of humor. If anyone "doesn't get it" I feel so sorry for you. If you can't have fun along the way, the trip isn't worth the trouble!

[@user-rr3ud4ni2k]

This is not her improvisation, she stole the entire idea and even the composition from Victor Borge. The only part she added in her own idea was the Bach part but which was nothing like Bach, but more like Liszt. Can anyone be less creative and pocess less grasp of the performance practice of different styles of composers than her? I feel so sorry to see plagiarism like this. This makes me really uncomfortable.

[@tbz8219]

I really do not waste my time reading comments. She's is amazing to play a "joke" like that. I love it.

[@ajseaman3387]

@@user-rr3ud4ni2k Makes you uncomfortable? Really? Why is that? Because you think 'There can be only one?" Or does it go deeper than that?

[@CityThatCannotBeCaptured]

I cried. It was magnificent.

[@azearaazymoto461]

I think you are. There is no way of knowing if she actually got the idea from Victor but I doubt she stole the composition, you’re just being a jerk. She plays with the fury of Liszt but not his style, his style is far more distinct. In fact, I find it hysterical how you say she plays with a different style and then proceed to say she lacks creativity. The worst part of all though is the fact that she’s just having fun and the first thought you have is a criticism of her character, her playing, and her actual ability.

[@namastemoon7442]

I absolutely enjoyed this from start to finish! What a talent and so much fun. I could watch and listen to her play all day. 🥰

[@maryserfes]

Love it. She's original, funny and plays beautifully

[@veronicajames1673]

Love it! She really captures the styles of these wonderful composers. One of the most intriguing birthday greetings I've receoved!

[@laflamezz1907]

this incredible. What a great mash up :D

[@Mac99Bravo]

Absolutely stunning performance!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@owanamibiamaalex6069]

This is wonderful, never seen anything like this. Men! She's really good with the piano. This is what I call talented!

[@grandmajoyce2]

Bravo! I sent a close friend a birthday e-card today, but after listening to this,I couldn't resist sending her this video too. It is simply too good not to share : ) Thank so much.

[@yolandabates9499]

Nicole that was the most fun happy birthday video! Perfect for those classical music lovers! You could do each one separately as well and it would be incredible! ♥️

[@judithmaryhill4862]

Absolutely LOVED your versions of Happy Birthday. Have share it with all of my Facebook family. Please create more versions for other occasions ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@iiiIIiiiIiIIIillii]

0:00 베토벤 (월광소나타) 1:17 쇼팽 (폴로네이즈) 1:54 브람스 (lullaby) 2:20 바흐 (토카타와 푸가 D단조) 3:19 모차르트 4:35 모차르트가 연주를 한다면 ( 모짜르트는 아마 술을 많이 마셨을테니..)

[@eagermite9291]

DRUNK MOZART WON

[@nova2393]

😁

[@Ninaki13th]

I love how she just throws an amazing quick playing without even struggling

[@claudinedoubletdoublet8366]

Je remercie mon ami Chris qui ce soir m'a permis d'écouter votre concert, Vous êtes formidable !!!

[@MALITHA]

Bethoven had the sadest birthday in history

[@Custerd1]

Laufd But she should have had a hundred-measure coda....

[@markbotta8567]

If Beethoven had the saddest birthday, then Bach had the most intense birthday.

[@chrisprivat4341]

You mean Beethoven

[@tillow.9857]

Santi had even worse...

[@flormorarales2872]

Yup

[@yolbus]

Wow! Es increíble la adaptación que hace, sin duda una virtuosa extraordinaria de la música

[@zushixilaiyi]

Very nicely done. Victor Borge did it in 1951.

[@brassmom]

Thank God his tradition lives on! :)

[@johnore6297]

Yeah, I was going to mention that, too. He was better.

[@petrmanda]

He was the only original...

[@NickJay]

Was just about to say that, too. And a lot funnier too.

[@NickJay]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/npzOea1urdZqoqc

[@grannywarrior]

Absolutely loved this, and what a great way to show the different styles of our great composers

[@davisatdavis1]

Someone has to make a longer version of the Brahms one. Even though what she played was very short, it was still heart-breaking.

[@thepawvoydoghotel9740]

Loved everything about this..put a smile on my face..how talented you are! You version of Bach is beyond amazing! Thank you

[@unknownchannel3141]

This was actually really beautiful, I wonder if there's a version without all the noise

[@G6JPG]

There are many such variations on KZbin, many done in people's own homes; I like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpvLiIicaZVnlck (If you do find this one without applause, please share a link - but I don't think there will be, because the "sozzled Mozart" trick is done for an audience).

[@StephSancia]

This fabulously talented lady brought such warmth into my friend's 63rd birthday today, Much Gratitude xo

[@omanasastar6569]

Thank You, dear Nicole, for this great gift of creativity and humor - everyone I send it to is de - lighted. Abundant Blessings to You.

[@deldridg]

What a glorious virtuosity and feel for the music Nicole has developed. My fav was the first Mozart and would love to hear her perform a Bach fugue version. Many thanks! Cheers from Oz - Dave

[@wawazhang1514]

GENIUS!!!! ❤️ Please, dont stop playing, I love you. You made them alive again ❤️

[@grumpypeanuts4530]

I’m not sure whether to think “This is so funny!” or “She plays so beautifully!”

[@silver17s91]

Why not think both :O :D

[@farakhanstephens]

C: All of the above

[@milagrosc.928]

Excellent !!! Congratulations to Nicole Pesce for the different interpretations of Happy Birthday !!! I really had an incredible talent !! And I find the sense of humor fantastic !!! The Luttiers also make musical humor !!! And they are formidable !!!

[@lulatissie6664]

The jokes were on point. Piano skills were on point. Job done well. Appreciate the work and the effort.

[@SBgoode]

Fantastic! I played this medley for my spouse on his BD. Thanks a bunch. He loved it!

[@kathyjenkins2386]

Very clever! I think you are so talented to immerse such a classic with the beautifulmusicians of the past. Your Mozart on a toasted binge was great! Really enjoyed it. Thanks...

[@jasongordon5114]

She makes all of them look so easy... especially the Mozart one.

[@iliasskordas9201]

well THAT is called humor!

[@darkacademiac]

zenobia zebo Lol ikr

[@masterkaruna4013]

Loved every minute of it! Brilliant and utterly enjoyable!🥰

[@debmckcallahan]

This has become my favorite birthday present for my music-loving friends! You do a wonderful composition, mixing temps and intensity. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!!!!

[@user-haigoya]

Only musics 0:21 베토벤 Beethoven ver. 1:18 쇼팽 Chopin ver. 1:50 브람스 Brahms ver. 2:19 바흐 Bach ver. ♡ 3:19 모차르트 Mozart ver. 4:37 모차르트식 묘기 Genius Mozart version

[@marilynrosenthal5713]

She is Brilliant. Victor Borge for today. Love it.

[@phizap]

wow, this is so great, just shared it as a bd gift too :))

[@yvonnebeck3129]

Just wonderful!! Talented for sure and I enjoyed all the versions of happy birthday played by you. ……………………..

[@aileenteo7027]

Oh! That was good!!! Loved every minute of it. Great job!

[@laflamezz1907]

well bach was more like Liszt

[@user-lk5pk6hm9e]

You're right,ass.

[@dsws2]

Yes. I think that is an homage to Liszt's Totentanz or Dance of Death.

[@ChatTimideOfficiel]

Chopiiiiin :D

[@tacopacopotato6619]

surely you mean fliszt

[@georgioghnatios6561]

Frédéric Chopin yes

[@booragal]

Simply brilliant. Can we purchase this on iTunes? Well done Nicole.

[@MsWaMaria]

BRAVO. SUPERB !!! Million of Thanks, on my Birthday.

[@claragoh3895]

What an incredible performance! I absolutely enjoyed it 👌👌

[@tabakeas]

Brilliant! I really enjoyed this...

[@gocreech]

Most Excellent! I saw Victor Borge do something similar years ago when we was alive and could do live concerts!

[@robertczebotar7025]

This lady is doing similar thing....Victor Borge was a legend, this lady is only a copy🍀

[@i.m.design]

This woman is a genius! My Mom sent this to me for my birthday today ❤️ volim te mamac

[@herlindabreitenstein7094]

She is so good at what she's doing Love it!

[@Kappeyron]

Completly Charming! Very Nice! I Love It!

[@kiddtuffy]

I am in love with everything she did. ¡bravissimi!

[@rad0246]

This lady is amazing. I wish I could attend to one of her performances.

[@juliancamiloduquebalaguera1494]

es increible como el happy birthday podria mostrarse de tantas maneras y estilos de compositores clasicos y los niveles de velocidad que manejan lo hace unico y es de admirar, ademas el sentido del humor que tiene es unico y se le agradece porque hace de la composición algo maravilloso.

[@itchitrigger1]

That was fun. Thank you.

[@Schrodinger_]

Play Salieri

[@dianapetri9562]

Now that's a challenge 😉

[@danieldedo]

You made me laugh out loud! Good one!

[@kl24601]

Schrodinger hahahahahahahah

[@lockejawe4050]

Don't forget to fart at the end...

[@amiqai]

*fart*

[@lynenely]

Woooooow. Que talento! Amei receber no dia do meu aniversário!

[@thepianistcooks3776]

That is so cute!!! This is a nice birthday music for me today. You lifted up my spirit! Thanks!

[@elainebarnes2772]

WOW! 💖 She's fabulous as well as fabulously funny! I love this!! Thanks for posting; Consider me your newest subscriber❣

[@mariagonzales1937]

Extraordinaria. No me canso de verla

[@pamelafeeney8086]

I can't imagine why 55 K did not like this. Great performance of great music with great fun. Bravo!

[@marciaguedes609]

maravilhosa pianista..deveria vir aqui no brasil..💟

[@DanielCruz-pn4ph]

Beethoven may have had the saddest birthday, but it was the most beautiful of all.

[@basssingerericwinston3561]

She is wonderful! Did anyone credit Victor Borge with the idea here? Borge did the happy birthday routine for years.

[@JeroenTheBoss]

This is probably the very first of Victor Borge's performance (1951): kzbin.info/www/bejne/npzOea1urdZqoqc

[@van1976]

That was really good...entertaining...and just awesome! 5 STARS! --Van

[@AdnanKhan-lu9yh]

The best birthday piano music composition I have ever heard. Marvelous!!! Bravo! 👏 Well done.

[@adambe1126]

I would love to get hold of the sheet music for these.

[@b.scorpio5316]

THIS IS AMAZING

[@brigittecurt2956]

the most fun I had this week! I would like to hear a cool jazz version . Thank you for this so entertaining performance

[@LadyArt123]

Oh, what humorous and so perfect happy birthday song ... and your excellent technique ... I am happy that I found your video.

[@KWong-zl1ve]

Does anybody know which style represents Chopin the best ; Etude, Valse, Polonaise, Nocturne, Ballade etc ??

[@rocelderamos3013]

K. Wong Nocturne and Ballade. Dude popularized the Ballade form in piano.

[@tanyadunn1086]

I loved this :)

[@kkaboli]

You are awesome, thank you, thank you. You just made my day!

[@PhoenixaSol]

Thank you! July 10th is my birthday and this was truly a delightful way to kick 62 in the tail!

[@brendandaugherty]

She's amazing- but I have to say that piano is the best sounding piano I have ever heard. especially given the quality of the camera recording... Sounds so clear and amazing.

[@AnshulRaman]

***** she is only using the mic to talk into. Mics are not need with Steinways.

[@AnshulRaman]

***** no they aren't. And if you needed a mic for the Steinway, it shouldn't be pointed at the keys; it should be pointed at where the skins is coming from

[@brendandaugherty]

You can literally see the microphone that is pointed towards the strings... on the right edge of the video...

[@JDeissreVIEWSFROMHELL]

I was waiting for Stravinsky when she would just start slamming the keyboard in no time signature

[@ZoeEGrace]

+J. Deiss not actually at all necessary to resort to a stereotype like this. :) If she just played the beginning of, "The Right of Spring" there's a bit that sounds almost identical to "Happy Birthday"! True! :)

[@CheckDare]

+Zoe Resorting to a stereotype violates her human "rites", then?

[@Schweinesohnundso]

@@ZoeEGrace you know, right before i clicked on the answers to this comment i was saying to myself 'aCTuAlLy tHis iS nOt wHaT StraVINskY dID' because i knew someone couldn't fucking resist

[@detectivehome3318]

@@CheckDare lol

[@wolfgangamadeusmozart2479]

True she just started playing like there was no time signature

[@canman5060]

I played this in my junior school concert some 50 plus years ago.I can still play it in order to stay active at old age.

[@vikkismith7497]

Amazing performance! Thank you very much for the entertainment.

[@Angel-yl1ck]

Marvelous! How creative and talented.

[@andreashoppe1969]

Did you know that "happy birthday song" was actually named "good morning to all"

[@andazalar]

I didn't knew

[@lauraredding5945]

You are amazing! thank you for sharing your awesome talent! Rock on

[@robinbradbeer7105]

Loved listening to this on my Birthday!!!!

[@Matthew-qk9ht]

OMG I'm amazed

[@Matthew-qk9ht]

Yeah

[@ARSAMIPHI]

wonderfull musician :-)

[@mwanamberi]

Love this!! It was sent to me on my birthday, and I’ll be sure to pay it forward!

[@GR2712]

Thank you so much for sharing this combination of humour and excellence...