Benjamin Zander: Classical music with shining eyes

[lsiden]

This video appears to be broken. It just skips to the end shortly after the first minute.

[wrts212]

facebook.com/pages/Seven-quest­ions-to-sack-happy-Tony-Woodco­ck-by-Norman-Lebrecht/31039976­2336618

[alika207]

Thumbs up for the deceptive cadence! Yay Aural Skills!

[Jonsoncao]

Never knew Zander plays piano, lol, awesome vid thx.

[hyfyv]

I love this guy!

[Seanqw3]

I once wrote:

"My substantiated, eternal happiness, will be a result of my redefinition of value."

I thought about this while listening to this man, and could only imagine how happy he must be pursuing an interest of such great value to him. This makes me realize that none of us should settle for anything less than such a fulfilling and passionate life style, and that maybe we should take a second look at what we think makes us happy.

[EddyScbr]

Benjamin Zander is, truly, a badass

[Sebastianodelarada]

chopin ? what prelude is that?

[EddyScbr]

@Sebastianodelarada Prelude in E Minor (op 28 no 4)

It's on the related videos here.

[jansumi]

The performance, yeah, okay, meh - but - what a lovely lovely man.  I hope his vision comes and stays true.

[sigmonrunner1]

A good talk, though I can't help but think that alot of people were captivated by his personality and confidence rather than his attempt to turn folks on to classical music. I also think that a great piece of music is a great piece of music, you shouldn't need to explain it or put it in context.

[LiquidMythril]

whoever coughed at the end must have been holding it in for awhile,

[majarupniewska]

he change my world :) you should read his books

[EdwardWouldNot]

Great talk, though I don't mean to sound snobby but his performance of the prelude was actually quite bad...

[tlcooper93]

@EdwardWouldNot He's actually a cellist...

[cbkuhlman]

Wow. I made that same connection about the lost loved one when I played this piece last year.

[NoodlesAcoustic]

I love his shoes

[ManayerSi]

This is amazing! When he first started playing the piece, I thought how amazing is this, and after few seconds I started thinking about my life. Wow, funny but weird and interesting!!

[Aceber1]

i love this guy he is amazing ..... such an artist ;)

[niknak06]

We need more speakers like this in our country doing what he is doing. Motivating people through music...amazing!

[SPKaa]

I love this guy.

[jerdawg553]

He's not a very good pianist, but he's a great musician.

[MerryGo528491]

@jerdawg553 How do you know how good a pianist he is?

[Lightwish777]

3:29 What does he say? "Which is why I call it one "buttock" playing" What's a buttock?

[DiannaBlack]

@Lightwish777 it's one butt cheek. yer bum is called "the buttocks", which is just plural, denoting your left buttock and your right buttock. exciting, right?

[hero123213xdzero]

One of the characteristics of a leader is that he not doubt for one moment the capacity of the people he’s leading to realize whatever he’s dreaming.

[Secrets4Europe]

Buenisimo,  gracias desde Madrid

[OfficialPlotTwist]

Charlie Sheen at 4:23

[MrCIickHere]

nice watching video. 

[77MyEsha]

I enjoyed your video so much. Both fascinating and funny. Loved your 'one buttock playing'. Your talk screams out your passion for classical music. I compose short pieces of classical music. I am limited to a Yamaha 2000 keyboard. I use this to orchestrate my music. I would really appreciate your opinion on my music (allowing for my limitations) I would love you to be brutally honest. Please feel free to take a look at my channel. 'Such Sweet Parting' I wrote after I lost my Mum. Kerri Powles

[Doily131]

Best ted talk to date.

[addictedkoala]

I've never cried at a piece of music until now, and I didn't even bother to think about anyone that would make me sad

[rakkerbaat]

what is that song called?

[GymMan100]

@rakkerbaat frederic chopin prelude in e minor op. 28 no. 4

[tinpipes]

Idiosyncratic playing, but excellent conveyance of the absolute joy of music...

[AtomicSushi92130]

I can't stand it because of his breathing :-(

[therebloodinthewater]

did anyone else hear his mic picking up his breathing while he was playing?

[420sexybitch420]

what is the piece he is playing around 1:20

[MyExGirlf]

@420sexybitch420 It's one of Mozart's Sonatas in C.

[bournesh]

Playing with one buttock?

Sounds

*puts sunglasses on*

Half-assed!

YYYEEEEAAAAAH!!!

[leftybreath]

I've been feeling pretty shit recently and this man's personality alone made me feel better. :)

[14sicdrummer]

im 14 and this is amazing

[Vigiluno]

@cihad2003 That is Mozarts 40th synphony in g-minor, glad you enjoy classical music.

Enjoy !

[fragglesful]

My eyes are shining! What an amazing man Benjamin Zander is! Very grateful for TED sharing him with the world! =)

[itachiros]

People lack the sad and happy of classical music. Something that Pop and Techno lack.

[eldr1ntravvv]

@itachiros This is not true. There is electronic music that can put you in both of those states. Classical and Electronic music are both overlooked by the general population.

[TheOtakuMusician]

I don't think we should go to the same place for our summer holidays next year...

[arnabchokro]

Magnificent (Thank you AristotlEYE, word borrowed from your comment)

[TheOtakuMusician]

We watched this in Music Theory. So funny and so moving. <3

[saolgragaire]

This is probably my favorite TedTalk!!! I love his humor and energy! And no matter how many times I watch it I cry!!! You need to watch it to the end!!! I hope I make the eyes of the people I come in contact with shiny!!!

[AristotlEYE]

That was magnificent



[cihad2003]

how is the piece at 8:50 ist called?

[KasiKummings]

I cannot even begin to understand how this video could have dislikes

[mauroferrantelli]

@KasiKummings hope they are just mistakes.....

[TheeBrainstorm]

@KasiKummings Maybe they were sad because they were so moved.

[nomnomnomcupcakes]

I have not lost someone who I loved with all my heart, but I thought of losing them, and I cried harder than I ever have.

[miloibrado]

The guy taking notes at 18:19

LOL

[barcbyte]

@miloibrado probably a journalist of some sort...

[JeffDynamics]

Of course someone coughs right after the last chord >:[

[lifehappens]

this guy saved my soul

[unRompecabezas]

Every one of his speeches is a love affair between Benjamin Zander and himself.

[AoSKicksYourEss]

the breathing into the mic just ruined it

[freakstupid11]

@AoSKicksYourEss i honestly quite like that part..

[fofo2822]

i was clapping my hands for him alone in my room after his magnificent and honest speech

[tonyviola11]

seber orchestra. yes

[ahmed1987sa]

Amazing

[TheFrancescaViolin]

So amazing!!!

[ArsenalPlayer18]

Thanks Mr. Seber

[llugo67]

.Iap

[slothfat]

Is anybody else here that was sent by Mr.Seber?

[dilnejiseapnakahaa]

marvelous

[colourfulwithaU]

9:20 - I would've sung a G#, because I'm cool like that. ;)

[colourfulwithaU]

@hellgun949494

First movement from Mozart's 16th piano sonata in C, K545.

[LeadBlimp]

I heard that Chopin piece for the first time after watching Jimmy Page perform it...and now it follows me around everywhere! I absolutely love it

[Vigiluno]

Whats the name of the song played between 8:50 and 8:56 ?

[vulpae2]

@Vigiluno Hello Vigiluno, the piece played at that time is "Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G minor" Look it up! Glad you enjoy classical music.

[colourfulwithaU]

@Vigiluno

That is Mozart's symphony no. 40 in G minor, K550, 1st movement.

[da1andonlee]

@Vigiluno It's the 1st movement from Mozart's 40th Symphony. Enjoy!

[slrigym]

@hellgun949494 The piece is Mozart Piano Sonata No. 16 in C, I. Allegro.

[serenoli]

I actually felt so relieved when he played that last note... such a perfect ending... I wish he would do a series introducing different kinds of composers etc...

[chewbster]

the chopin piece reminded me of Cypress Hill - Illusions for some reason (watch?v=lS5TIcLJXTw)

[sugarkang]

This talk really helped me enjoy classical music. Took all the pressure off of enjoying it and all of a sudden I found things that I like.

[mRudie1318]

Thumbs up if your eyes are shining!

[mmmmmmmmmusic]

I truly wish I knew somebody like this

[florenceryanrayos]

I tried playing Call of Duty with only one buttock. did wonders for my gameplay.

[YusufOthman]

@florenceryanrayos Hahahaha.

[NickRobo1994]

25 people have no emotion. or they are just tone deaf.

[nemostinks]

this guy is awesome! he should be a teacher... wait... is he?

[nemostinks]

this guy is awesome! he should be a teacher... wait... is he?

[ch0c0la7e]

I cried my eyes out .... :|

[linux750]

so, in order to do my best work i must do it only one buttock? Wow, i've never seen a more convincing argument for "half-assing" it. Now if only i could make my boss understand...

[rafe234]

what is the music at 2:27??

[BeauJames59]

As Quincy Jones said of "Kind of Blue", I say of this video.....it's my orange juice....

[slicydicer]

Classical music is the most soul satisfying music, I love electronic music, it's what I make and love and listen to, but I go to concerts when I can and I love it, always will.

[slickgamer]

I searched for classical music to listen to while working... I watched this. Loved it. I don't even care about the work anymore ahaha

[Salemist3]

Beautiful :)

[Kasrith]

Wish my teachers were like this man... Amazing!

[DerekWilliamsMusic]

I wish this man could teach in every classroom, even if only for one day.

[JaViNrY14]

@DerekWilliamsMusic You read my mind!! ^^

[JaViNrY14]

thums up if you like classical mussic!

[liagarden]

@DerekWilliamsMusic YOU become that teacher. Learn how to empower your students.Awaken "the world of posibility" for them (not "possibilities"--there's already too many choices, and they are overwhelmed)

[staffanh]

@Twombs8432: It's Prélude Op. 28, No. 4 by Frédéric Chopin.

[ReDucT0r]

Didnt do anything for me

[caligeek]

@ReDucT0r aahahahahahaaaa

[Ally123234]

@ReDucT0r Wouldnt brag about that

[hannahskm]

I love chopin...

[Twombs8432]

whats the name of the song that he is playing?

[kdizzle180]

this video needs more views.

[whiteraven2k]

I was moved

[NitroAndDeathMetal]

wow. i dont know this man but i fucking love him. I LOVE YOU SIR

[Ailatan444]

I just found myself clapping in my room alone when the video was over... I've never been moved more by a talk as much as this one!

Thank you

[MusicDexterous]

I cant appreciate it when he breathes into the mic every 2 seconds.

[Brangoth4]

@MusicDexterous Pardon an eccentric 69 year old man jumping around in a suit while talking to 1500 people in an atrium to be a little winded when he jumps on the piano. Grow up if you really are "Music Dextrous"

[kain989]

Benjamin Zander threw a phone at me once. True story. All because I wouldn't let him use an instrument that didn't belong to him.

[S3Chord]

If everyone has a natural love for classical music, then everyone has a love for jazz, techno, hip hop, country, rock and roll, any categorization or genre of music..I agree with him. It's just a matter of discovery and connecting with the right musical personalities.

[BeauJames59]

He MUST be my Uncle, I was just separated from his family somewhere along the way........

[Humbler25]

@BeauJames59 gee... I wonder what caused that - could it be in part what has made you so bitter?

[bping19]

his excitement is contagious.

[39MEC]

Brilliant !!! A new, funny and confused way to love the Classical Music.//// From Spain

[MrChops27]

That was brilliant.

[narcomanel]

Yeah well, I've tryed that and I still can't get the "thoughts" of this song. It has weird changes that just don't make sense to me. And anyways his method is like watching a movie in your mind, I don't even listen to my usual music - it goes as a background, just improving THE REALITY, the real moment. Not making me dream...that just feels unconfortable

[DrJanetDunbar]

I recommend this video to everybody I know who is willing to listen. Benjamin Zander does an incredible job of bringing people up to speed on what classical music is all about. I hope to hear more of his brilliant lectures.

[szlachtakurwa]

just want to say i was moved by this.

[Assarapis]

...oops, is Chopin 24 Preludes #4, in e-minor, (not Cap.), Op.28

[Assarapis]

@sweetnessglyc

Get more useful knowledge before you talk, the raindrop "one" is in d-flat major, #15, and Banjamin said the piece ended in e....sigh...

This is Prelude in e minor, #4, Op.28......

[mustangsrgr8]

Such wonderful words of inspiration!

[bobilleg74]

Which of Chopin's Preludes did he play?

[JennLee0908]

Sad that this requires a TED talk. Proof that classical music has a diminishing presence today.

[unfoldingart]

@JennLee0908 This was the video that inspired me to delve into classical music. I've since started piano and violin lessons. My iPod is filled to the brim with music by composers like Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, Bach, Beethoven, and Rachmaninov.

If classical music is diminishing in the world, then people like Mr. Zander are bringing it back.

[bigdude627]

@unfoldingart Mendelssohn and Rachmaninov were Romantic, Vivaldi and Bach were Baroque, Beethoven was your only Classicist; and even he was transitioning to Romanticism in later years ;) But yes, Zander and many others are keeping this form of music alive

[unfoldingart]

@bigdude627 I used the words "classical music" as a blanket term for the sake of convenience.

[JennLee0908]

Sad that this requires a TED talk. Proof that classical music has a diminishing presence today.

[iClock]

what is this piece he is playing called? Its amazingly beautiful!

[klimkovsky]

@iClock Search for Frédéric Chopin - Prelude in E-Minor (op.28 no. 4)

[iClock]

@klimkovsky Thank You!

[Aresftfun]

I've always liked classical music. :D

[creidefy]

8:53 any idea what song that was? or was it just improv?

[FreakoftheArts73]

@creidefy Mozart's 40th Symphony

[creidefy]

@FreakoftheArts73 thank you.!

[FreakoftheArts73]

@creidefy No problem :)

[OpusOneTwoFive]

21 dislikes?! Must have been accidental clicks!!!

[davrog490]

Well, OpusOneTwoFive, it may be rather positive: 21 of 1710 is an even lower percent of negative feedback than Zander projected, not to mention the other 296,597 views which speak volumes.

[DanielsViews]

Contagious enthusiasm and superb musical talent (which I love) and a heavy dose of humanism (which I don't).

[Mogsoup5]

@DanielsViews Based on your love of technical ability and not it's context makes me guess that you are probably an engineer and not in business. What's wrong with humanism? Is it not discrete enough, or does it reflect wonderful connections to life that you've chosen to forget? No sarcasm here, have a great day friend. Less cynicism please!

[Adamalgorithm]

wonderful man !

[musicman11231]

The Chopin piece is Prelude in e, Op. 28 No. 4

[acousticaptitude]

@musicman11231 not e minor?

[musicman11231]

@acousticaptitude I use a small e for minor and a big E for major, so yes in e minor.

[gochujong]

"I will never say anything that couldn't stand as the last thing I ever say." totally agree with this

[jhallalla]

@gochujong Hi! Im a Spanish speaker and I´ve seen this video many times with a friend but definitely we cannot understand that last phrase, what does it mean??can u explain me?thanks =)

[gochujong]

@jhallalla Yeah, it's kind of confusing.

Let me rephrase it: Choose your words carefully because those words might be the last words you ever say to a loved one. does this help much? I can try again if you need.

[SmarticusRex]

"I have a definition of success. For me it's not about wealth and fame and power. It's about how many shining eyes I have around me."

[tititalin]

I'm in college, and I'm an avid fan of classical music; I play the piano myself - often I really wish peers around me would appreciate classical music more!! Thanks I love this video with all my heart.

[VersicaSalmodica]

It's the Mozart Piano Sonata in C, K. 545.

[ActorAndPerformer123]

whats the song he played at the beginning w/ the examples of 7,8,9,ect. year olds?

[gwaney]

amazinggg

[mebaran]

He has a very great take on music and life.

[kdizzle180]

what is the piece by Chopin that he plays? I know I've heard it tons of times but I cant figure out what it's called...

[meanttolivexx]

@kdizzle180 Prelude in E Minor

[DreamsCatcher101]

3rd group here. I never listened to classical but this speech has made me want to. Going to have a look online for some and might have a night of it later.

[diniy91]

i cried at the end of the video.

[darnok5000]

What a wonderful man!

[n8dawgindahouse]

amazing