Igor Stravinsky - Happy birthday to you

[afaramazian]

Hillarious!! So funny!!!

[ChristopherNorby]

This is so funny

[flootloops]

I'm going to ask that all my family and friends sing this version on my birthday from here on out. They ought to start practicing.

[k73f]

happy birthday igor <3

[Boodlums]

@verstengenericks - his 80th, actually. :D

See the 1:26 video uploaded by rjennings1908.

[OpusOneTwoFive]

That's Stravinsky! Turns a silly tune into a masterpiece!

[petezilla]

Haha awesome so Stravinsky

[spacepatrolman]

@petezilla this was used as the theme from a radio show in new york on wqxr anniversary concert

[ontv111]

@spacepatrolman i remember it being on wncn -- every night at 7.

[spacepatrolman]

@ontv111 Thats it i found a bunch of WQXR tapes so i have qxr on the brain

[danr27]

Yes, it was on WNCN and was the theme for the program "Anniversary Concert," which celebrated the birthday of a composer born on that day. I've always loved this piece and on several occasions wanted to play it over the phone on the birthdays of my mother and sister, but never knew who composed it, which made it difficult to find an online recording or CD. I even called WQXR, where I too thought it had run, but to no avail. (continued)

[danr27]

...Then, searching YouTube, finally came upon it yesterday. Prior to this I had searched old copies of the New York Times, which used to run radio listings that included the classical stations, and came upon this listing for it, from Jan. 20, 1981: MUSIC. 7-8. WNCN. Anniversary Concert. Josef Hofmann, pianist. Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brilliante; Nocturne in E flat; Excerpt from Piano Sonata No. 3, Chopin; other works.

[hernia56]

I wonder if he had to pay the infamous copyright royalties.

[OtherJC]

@hernia56: Using the lyrics will get you stung for the "infamous" royalty. On TV shows, such as The Tonight Show & the Dick Cavett Show, they made sure the band ONLY played the tune and not sing the words, thus avoiding the "hit." Nice little nest egg, eh?

[Liu666able]

It was written by the maestro for Pierre Monteaux's birthday.

[verstengenericks]

@Liu666able ...Monteux's 75th I'm pretty sure...

[mrmolinodelahoz]

In NYC years ago there was a radio program which used this as their introductory music as they honored the birthday of some musician every day.

As I have heard it so many times, and love the cleverness of it, I am glad to hear it once again. Thankyou.

[doctorschoen]

@mrmolinodelahoz Yes, it was "Anniversary Concert" -- where they'd play music by the composer (or performer) on his (or her) birthday. Could have been WNCN or WQXR, as those there the two I'd listen to alot. But there was also WRVR, WKCR, and WFUV with lots of classical airtime. Perhaps you remember DeKoven, Fleetwood, or Bill Watson?