Sousa 'The Liberty Bell' - Leonard Slatkin at the 'Last Night of the Proms' 2004

At the Last Night of the 2004 Proms, Leonard Slatkin, then in his final year as the BBC Symphony's Principal Conductor, introduced this rousing Sousa march. He explained to the audience that 'The Liberty Bell' itself it had been made in London in the 1750s but had developed a large crack shortly after its arrival in Philadelphia. Despite many attempts over the years, the fissure in the bell has never been fully repaired. We pick things up at the point when Slatkin brings in a gag about 'The Monty Python Show,' a British television comedy programme that used Sousa's march as its signature tune. As will be seen, Slatkin clearly enjoyed conducting the 6000-strong Albert Hall audience as they clapped along with the music.

[@superspy6]

One of these days I would love to see the audience do a united raspberry noise at the right moment in the march.

[@ahoneanatwo]

All I wanted to hear is an excellent orchestral piece, I wasn’t expecting some kind of Spanish Inquisition!

[@dougsasse]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[@raulramirez8171]

They gave us the melody to the Star Spangled Banner, we gave them the melody to Monty Python. :3

[@Peyethon]

Also the music behind Falcon 9 explosions.

[@almostfm]

@@Peyethon aka "The World's Most Expensive KZbin Video"

[@Decomposer-rl3bw]

And now, for something completely different.

[@patrickglover7506]

Its...

[@Decomposer-rl3bw]

@@patrickglover7506 Monty Python's Flying Circusss

[@mmgeigle5728]

DA DA DA DA DA, MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUSSS etc. (fart noise)

[@pyrochemists6309]

And now, for something completely different...

[@philippaine]

The audience should have done a massive "Ministry of Silly Walks" conga!

[@pyrochemists6309]

Silly walks conga?

[@philippaine]

@@pyrochemists6309 all linked together like a long snake.

[@ForceMaximus84]

“But his face sure rings a bell.” Lol Nice

[@akumaking1]

I keep anticipating a giant foot to stomp on everyone

[@kentcyclist]

Does your wife Like photography? 😉

[@KatsuRutles]

​@@kentcyclistdo she uh like to go eh??? Eh??? Know what I mean ??

[@RedDragonM1]

RIGHT! RIGHT! STOP THAT! STOP THAT! IT'S SILLY! TOO SILLY! TOO SILLY!

[@hankkingsley2976]

You hermits there come out of that cave the sketch is over

[@isaak.studio]

And then the giant foot crushed them all with a big fart noise.

[@cys8964]

+Isaak And now for something completely different.

[@trollerpilotxiv3079]

IT'SSS

[@KemosabeOlivas]

Doktor Hachi Roku "ARE YOU THEE BRAINN SPECIALISSTT?!!??!

[@KemosabeOlivas]

Doktor Hachi Roku *AREE YOUU THEEE BRAINN SPECIALISSSTTT?!?!!?!!*

[@iansane3286]

I like the faster pace. No marching that night. Makes it fun for the crowd.

[@CaptainLegionary]

For a video uploaded in 2013 and recorded in 2004, this quality surprised me a lot! This is INSANELY GOOD quality for a video from like 2004!

[@adam28xx]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gurugeorge]

That's ... fast. Still, a jolly time was had by all!

[@leifvejby8023]

Very fast indeed, it is a march, not a quickstep - I wouldn't like marching any distances to that!!

[@LeonardoSantoro64]

Minister of Silly Walks' March 😊

[@scopex2749]

Iiiiiiits......Moneeee Pythonnnssss flying circussssss! .......AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Regards to ALL PYTHONS ALIVE OR 'DEED' as in 'its dead I tell you' I grew up with you lot and im STILL IN THERAPY!!

[@johngora9123]

"My Brain Hurts! "-----R. J. Gumby

[@patrickglover7506]

This is a faster rendition. I love it!

[@randomdave30]

Apparently they chose it, because it was out of copyright (ergo, free to use) and because it sounded like something starting. It always cheers me up when I'm down because it makes me think of funny things.... Would that the whole wide world could be one great big everlasting Monty Python sketch!

[@RedDragonM1]

This is great! "no it's not." "Yes it is!" "No it isn't." "This isn't an argument, this is just contridiction!!"

[@jorgecarrilloestrada]

No it's not

[@RedDragonM1]

@@jorgecarrilloestrada Yes it is!!!

[@battleshipgold]

Contradiction

[@RedDragonM1]

@@battleshipgold shut up, you!!! (drops a 16 ton weight on you)

[@mmgeigle5728]

@@RedDragonM1ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! (fart noise)

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

All that’s missing is the final raspberry

[@nathanaellee8356]

A certainly rousing rendition of an American classic. A very wonderful piece by the amazing March King himself,Dr. John Philip Sousa.

[@RonMotta1972]

I object to all this sex on the television. I mean, I keep falling off!

[@steveforest8385]

I wasn't expecting to hear the Monty Python theme at the Proms.

[@whatdidoursurveysay]

NOBODY EXPECTS TO HEAR THE MO -- oh, bugger.

[@judethhaden3998]

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

It's getting silly , bloody silly !

[@RedDragonM1]

@@judethhaden3998 I was.

[@beerman4657]

I love how influential this show is to this date man.

[@dbyers3897]

In London, you'd think they might find a bell the doesn't sound like a pot being banged with a spoon. But now for something completely different.

[@KabirChattopadhyay1991]

ALBATROSS!

[@RedDragonM1]

"Two choc ices please."

[@philippaine]

What flavour is it?

[@KabirChattopadhyay1991]

@@philippaine Alright, alright, it's albatross flavour...well it's bloody seabird flavour innit? ALBATROSS!

[@richardsantalone9380]

@@KabirChattopadhyay1991 "Do you get wafers with it?" ;-)

[@KabirChattopadhyay1991]

@@richardsantalone9380 Course I don’t have any wafers with it, it's bloody albatross. ALBATROSS!

[@VV_PaVria]

The Proms and John Philip Sousa: one can find almost nothing sweeter the than this pair.

[@Tsobanian]

these proms are sublime! I can't believe that they didn't televised Slatkin's 1st Sep 2004 prom with Pictures at an Exhibition.....

[@hopefullylost4012]

Over 65, two cancers survived, still being challenged by countless health issues but this tune and Monty Python make me laugh anticipating which group of audiences have audacity to burst the finish fart.

[@philippaine]

Sousa must be impressed!

[@goranlund2677]

No, he wouldn't.

[@alfiotrovato188]

Fantastic

[@GregBrownsWorldORacing]

I've got to say as a Yank, who is fond of the proms. A-Slatkin gets it exactly correct. Sousa conducted with his back to the band B - Some say too fast for a march, I say WAAAY too many cellos, Double Bass Violas and or etc...for a Sousa Marching band. But if you go by the audience ---- it was quite successful. By Greg Brown Bracket Mr. Bracket, that was my theory.

[@almostfm]

Well, a march _is_ usually done in something resembling a march tempo. This is more of a full-on sprint tempo. But you make allowances for the circumstances of the performance.

[@hankkingsley2976]

@@almostfm if i recall correctly march tempo is 120 BPM

[@almostfm]

@@hankkingsley2976 You're right it is. But this is about 135 bpm when I time it. But since nobody's marching, I'm pretty OK with it.

[@morrisonsrocks]

The Last Night never disappoints! I've never seen other concerts with that amount of enthusiasm from everyone, musicians, conductor, audience, through the whole concert! Who could leave that without grinning madly?

[@Ceremonial1000]

How do the Brits give a better rendition of an American song than the Americans? 😂🇬🇧

[@charlescoleman5509]

Four words: Monty Python’s Flying Circus

[@turnitback]

Much too fast! Try listening to the definitive performance, by the US President's Own Marine Band.

[@nuschlerclark895]

Oh you jingoist! The USA is not #1 in anything except for narcissism! Yes I’m an American Veteran!

[@dbyers3897]

@@turnitback The tempo fit this occasion. There isn't just one speed for a march. Don't be an old fuddy duddy.

[@txspeck]

@@nuschlerclark895 you’re not replying to the correct person. Fudd boomer.

[@chrisdowling1388]

Needs more cowbell!

[@markiangooley]

The audience participation is very Radetzky March!

[@vicentehizon6202]

I love the orchestrations of the piece, I just there was something more. A projection of Terry Gilliam’s animation, the audience doing a silly walk-esque conga line, or the audience doing a oversized raspberry at that moment. Anything really. #MontyPython

[@pyrochemists6309]

"Silly walks" conga?

[@Spongeknight87]

And now for something completely different

[@trollerpilotxiv3079]

IT'SSSSS

[@TomCat681]

@@trollerpilotxiv3079 Monty Python's flying circus

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

Oh my God Felicity , I could never keep up with you !

[@stevenserna910]

"The Larche."

[@mmgeigle5728]

Mr Larch, you heard the case for the prosecution. Is there anything you wish to say before I pass sentence?

[@MrCC379]

The one who went into the bell must have been Graham Chapman. He was the heavy drinker of the lot.

[@itsmebryangh0stboi277]

IT'S!......

[@ahetzel1147]

Monty Python's Flying Circusss!?

[@bruceeng3376]

1--the larch.

[@CopiaRatIV]

*starts marching in my street*

[@boc234]

Has anyone said . . .It's.

[@Peyethon]

It’s just a rapid unscheduled disassembly

[@Happy2foundUUU]

Aww...LOVE it ~ Wish I was there !! Thank you adam28xx ~~

[@Peyethon]

Cue Falcon 9 explosion montage

[@RedDragonM1]

BOOOOOM!

[@imapaine-diaz4451]

I think this a little more than march tempo, dont you think.

[@almostfm]

A "march tempo" is traditionally 120 bpm, and this is about 140 (according to my metronome), so, yeah, it's a little quick.

[@lindsayolh]

It's for the Rifles.

[@mandybedevere]

Naughty bits. Say no more ;)

[@RedDragonM1]

"AND NOW..."

[@ilovemuslimfood666]

RedDragonM1 The larch

[@hankkingsley2976]

@@ilovemuslimfood666 This is Mrs. B. J. Smegma of 13, The Crescent, Belmont. Would you stand up please. Bang!

[@susanhamercheck2379]

Stop that, stop that right now....

[@judethhaden3998]

Was it way too silly?

[@ArtGirl82]

As Bill Bailey would say, it's the "Gosh Pit" lol

[@fiat600d25400]

perfect ENGLISH HUMOUR!!!!!

[@farmersjt]

So much for pathos!

[@hankkingsley2976]

What sketch that I recognize it but I can't place it

[@allegromaestoso2245]

So respectfully, I realized people bend on their knees, during the concert, Is there any special spécial reason to do that ? I would really like if someone explain me about that prom, he's at the end of the year ? What is about that celebration ? Thanks a lot from Bogota, I would really like to be there I love the music, I love tradition, history, I love ballet, someday I would be happy in a concert like that maybe in London I would really like to visit that City. Big hug for you British friends

[@adam28xx]

The annual season of Proms Concerts lasts about three months during the summer with concerts that are played every night in London's Royal Albert Hall. It holds over 5,000 people and it is all very informal. The audience in front of the platform stands during the whole concert. Every type of music is played, including complete operas, symphonies, concertos, as well as Broadway musicals, film music, rock music and jazz. These programmes are usually listened to with great seriousness. However, the Last Night of the Proms is always one in which everyone has great fun, though some critics think the rowdiness and exhibitionism often goes too far. You say that you like ballet music, so here is the same conductor, Leonard Slatkin, with music from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" at a regular Proms concert, not the Last Night, given in 2003 ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2O2iXaNZ9iaeac Greetings to Bogota!

[@Tsobanian]

Adam I was thinking, could you create more videos from proms particularly for rare orchestral transcriptions (OTs)? For instance : 2 Aug 2006 (prom 26) Bach-Davis //16 July 1994 (prom 2) there are appetizing OTs by Henry Wood and Müller-Berghaus. // 5 Sep 2010 (Prom 67) very interesting OTs by Wood and Pitt. // 24 Aug 1995 (Prom 43) 2 Stokowski transcriptions.

[@doryegeler5009]

Perfect

[@kentcyclist]

I came here for an argument

[@heribertocastro6652]

Oh sorry. This is abuse

[@KemosabeOlivas]

No you didn't

[@RedDragonM1]

no you didn't.

[@therealjoebloggs]

What? A British audience, and no razzberry? Graham, John, Eric, Michael and the two Terry's would be very disappointed!

[@milofordham2885]

It's...

[@Alfie584]

I tell you what's wrong with it it's dead!

[@dagrote1]

One of their best. It's not dead. It's pinin'. What? It's pinin' for the fiords.

[@mmgeigle5728]

PININ' FOR THE FIORDS!!!!!!!!!!! IT STONE DEAD

[@marcschirmeister9821]

This is the best kind of cultural appropriation.

[@erikmeidoorn1745]

The Liberty Bell Founded 1776 Philadelphia Die Berliner Freiheitsglocke The Berlin Liberty Gegossen England Gillett&Johnstone 1950 Erste Lautung 24 Oktober 1950 5 Jahr Grundung Vereinigte Natien Rathaus Schoneberg an Kennedyplatz

[@audreyseddon9749]

I love this march, but I agree, it's being played too fast here, complicated by the fact that the clapping audience is causing the musicians to rush even more. This is clearly the reason why the conductor indicated to the audience to stop clapping, because the orchestra is getting away from him.

[@adam28xx]

The conductor's indications to the audience had nothing to do with the musicians rushing at all. He was merely indicating to the audience when they should clap and when they should not, thus leaving the orchestra to play on its own for a few moments. In any case, the orchestra played in the same tempo throughout, with no sign of "rushing" at any point in their performance. Audience participation like this has taken place at the Last Night of the Proms for decades and the BBC Symphony has always been well used to it.

[@김길동-j9z]

@@adam28xx Your right and, I'm understand.

[@raulramirez8171]

0:48 :3

[@dagrote1]

Too fast. This is a march, not a sprint.

[@demoxy7243]

American marches be like

[@dagrote1]

@@demoxy7243 Not sure what you mean, but I was in the military, and we marched around the base a lot. This is much, much too fast for a military march.

[@twistedpear18]

waah

[@UnlclinicallyInsane]

My lord, it looks like a cult bro.

[@ErVeeDeeEm]

Beautiful march, grotesque performance.😉

[@filipjandus4537]

Gallop,not march

[@Mike8981]

All very silly.

[@johnsmith-rs2vk]

Bloody Silly . MP .

[@RockSessionsMalhas]

Too much clapping!!!!!! WTF?!?!? Can we hear the music?!!?

[@adam28xx]

It happens to have been a tradition at the Last Night of the Proms each year, for decades in fact, that there is what is called "audience participation." The British know of this tradition full well, but clearly it is not known to people outside the UK. There are several Last Nights of the Proms here on KZbin so you can check them out for yourself. However, it is also true that many people object to all that exhibitionism, such as in the traditional Sailor's Hornpipe which is played every year and is also drowned out by the clapping ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5S9qoGqj9mGp6c

[@RockSessionsMalhas]

@@adam28xx thank you for the fair explanation. I did not know about this "audience participation" ritual, I don't like it, but at least I can understand the point. Keep sharing the music!

[@adam28xx]

@@RockSessionsMalhas ... Just to explain a little further, the Proms - until this year, due to the virus - lasted from July to September with nightly performances of every type of music you can think of, including operas, symphonies, cantatas, concertos, Broadway musicals, jazz, rock and pop, etc. Usually the concerts are listened to in total silence but the Last Night has become a kind of jamboree when everyone lets their hair down. A lot of people agree with you and think it's gone too far but this year, at any rate, it won't be happening. Still, there are times when the audience has a right to be delighted, as in this encore from a Prom entitled "The Broadway Sound" ... See what you think! ... By the way, London's Royal Albert Hall holds about 6,000 people and they all loved this ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpPFqHaeq6eHmbc

[@larsekendahl8860]

way toooo fast. !!!! slow down!!!

[@kennethmarshall306]

A tad too fast

[@alvarosousa7707]

De origem portuguêsa-Jonh Philip Sousa

[@alvarosousa7707]

Musica da liberdade-no dia que a bandeira americana cair , o mundo vira a trevas, pois são tantos os ditadores.

[@FD-dh8sx]

And now for something completely different

[@paulosanches6136]

It's...

[@ThatGuyNicho]

It's...

[@まきむらみさ]

It's...

[@pisspotpunk]

and now...

[@Peyethon]

… a rapid unscheduled disassembly

[@LeonardoSantoro64]

It's ...

[@Peyethon]

… not an explosion, it’s just a rapid unscheduled disassembly