There's so much worth mentioning about the historical and personal background of Beethoven that could explain the choosen style of his 8th symphony. For example: in 1812 Beethoven had his long awaited meeting with Goethe. His acquaintance with him was verry amusing. Absolutely worth reading about it.
Just look at what Beethoven composed when he was at death's door- the String Quartet in F, Op. 135, whose prevailing mood is similar to the 8th symphony. It's even in the same key as the 8th Symphony, and has the same hammering C# in octaves!
This is for me a lighter and an unfamiliar side of Beethoven that I wasn't aware of before. I've always had the impression of a stern and solemn Beethoven who was always dead serious. Also to my knowledge, the 8th is practically unknown compared to the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th symphonies. Thank you for this enlightenment, maestro!
Beethovens sonata Op. 31 No. 1 is quite similar in style. It is followed by the tempest sonata which is way more popular. They are both masterpieces though. Beethoven was a composer with a lot of faces. Serious and dramatic, but also funny and lyrical if he wanted to be.
Interesting analysis, pointed out details I had never noticed in the decades that I know this symphony. Minor point: The third movement is indeed a minuet, in spirit if not labeled such. I sounds nothing like a scherzo. That's my $0.02 (US)
The 8th is my favourite Beethoven's Symphony. I think it is simple, beautiful, cheerful and catchy without being primitive. It sounds like beethoven at his best but is so much underestimated.
The 8th definitely is a very light hearted symphony (I was lucky to have listened to is during my college days). His fourth symphony is also full of musical jokes (the opening is omnious and bang changes track). The finale also ends abruptly (despite some omnious notes before the end). More folks should listen to these symphonies too.
You know, I never thought of classical music as humorous before this video, including in the context of this symphony. Now when I listen to Beethoven’s 8th the next time, I will listen with keen ear for this humour you touched on in this analysis! Great work as always! So often I find myself learning of the subtle nuances I never noticed before when I watch your classical music analysis videos!
Just recorded the 2nd movement for guitar quartet! I have the entire thing arranged for guitar quartet. I love the abrupt key changes. Especially in the last movement near the end. We can hear ideas and concepts to soon be seen in the 9th.
I was listening to the development section of the first movement of the Pastorale and thought... how does this not make Philip Glass irrelevant 150 years in advance?
I just found your channel and this is a blessing. I’m 22 and I’ve been fascinated with classical music since when I was in secondary school. Peaked at middle school while I play on an electric keyboard during events and now I compose music through garageband. 🙏🏻💕
I’d really like to hear your take on one of Shostakovich’s works. I personally like his 9th symphony the best, and it’s always interesting to hear someone else’s opinions.
The trick of using the fragment of the first theme to end the movement was mimicked by Charles Gounod in the beginning movements of both his symphonies - which, I'd say, are enjoyable in their own right.
If all Beethoven’s symphonies were one ginormous one, I would group: 1st to 4th as the “1st movement”, 5th to 7th as the “2nd movement”, 8th as the scherzo and 9th as the finale.
How can we be certain these are "jokes" about being in the "wrong" key and not just incredibly complex albeit lighthearted sounding modulations? I know a tiny bit of music theory from college but like, always admired people would could gleam this much data out of music.
I think when you listen to it all in context - especially when you're familiar with *all* his other symphonies - it becomes apparent that he's making fun. Some conductors milk it more than others
That's a great question! As a conductor and music theory nerd myself, I love this symphony for it's jokes, both inside and overt. One way to "get" the jokes is to know what were the conventions of the time, especially the ones Beethoven himself developed. There is one theory book that will give you the most insight into this. It is Classical Form by William E. Caplan. It's super dry but the understanding of conventions really makes the rule breaking all that more hilarious. Without that understanding on the part of the performers, this piece ends up sounding benign which it's not! As the narrator said, "do not underestimate this symphony"!
@@eugenetzigane The funniest jokes of Beethoven's symphonies, IMO, are the multiple points of the Ode to Joy that violate basic precepts of musical forward motion, as the music has to pick itself up from a dead stop. Even as the music was of an unprecedented scale, it punctured pomposity.
My friend thought I was crazy for laughing during this symphony in the car. It's so comical. It was the way the first movement ended that sealed 👌 my love for it the first time I heard it. It's such a funny 🔥 ball of a symphony 😁
This symphony and Shostakovich 9th are the best "funny" symphonies. I love them both so much. Everyone expected a big monumental serious symphony from them and they both decide to to give quite the opposite.
Dont forget Mahler 4 man. After his first three big symhonies everyone expected his 4th to match the exact same standards but it became such a lighthearted lush symphony with "only" 4 movements, even if its not a "joking symphony" per se
Although I already dived deep into Beethoven's symphonies, I cannot enjoy your short guides enough. Really entertaining and helpful for those who haven’t looked into it yet. I am looking forward to the guide to the 9th symphony. Maybe you will make a video about his unfinished 10th symphony by any chance?
I read long ago that Beethoven and few of his good friends went to a picnic 1 day. One of his friends had invented the Metronome and had brought it with him to show to Beethoven.. Beethovens was amused and wrote the 2nd movement based on tictac of that metronome. Beethovens had such a good time that day that he wrote the 8th just to remind him of that pleasant/happy day. This is what it is so playfu happyl and funny... and a feel-good but short symphony. I guess all good times were short lived for him. :-( Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot from your videos. I loved Beethoven since age of 10 or 12 my older brother turned me on to classical music but Beethoven has always had a special place in my heart. He is truly the King.
I was recently working on a research in Univereity about the 8th. Unfortunatly that Canon that was apparently written on a tissue or something while having dinner did not exist. One of the first Beethoven researchers wrote it and made up that story that is so well known that even many Majestros believe it. He hoped to get more recognition and fame with that story. Seems like the story got more of it. Best
What I wanted to say is, that the roumors that the metronome inspired Beethoven is probably untrue since Anton Schindler made that up and also wrote the Canon that has this them. Its WoO 162 Mälzelkanon, and became apparently the second mvmt. But none of this is true
The 8th might be my favourite though he doesn't smash it as much with the themes. The theme of the first movement is great, though, probably my favorite mov 1 of his symphonies. I consider it an almost more rhythmic symphony. It's also the most energizing symphony. Designed to make you transcend.
I absolutely loved the analysis of the entire series, waiting for the 9th Symphony especially because I'm writing a dissertation on it, I'll be citing your video as a source on it as well! Keep up the excellent work 👍🏻
The hammering sharpened submediant also recurs in the scherzo of his String Quartet in F, Op. 135, and in more subtle form, operates as a foil to the opening fanfare of the Eroica symphony.
Thank you again for this awesome video! I don't know if you take suggestions, but i would love you to do a video on Carl Orff and his music! Nonetheless, thank you for these in depth videos!
In Prof. Greenberg's Great Courses lecture on this symphony, he says that the second movement is about the metronome. That constant ticking in the strings represents the sound of the device and the rest of the orchestra tries to play along with it. At the end of that passage, there is a quick whirring sound representing the metronome getting wound up. Finally, that clash of noise at the end is either the metronome breaking down or getting smashed in frustration. I don't know how valid this theory is, but it really seems to fit what goes on in the movement.
The metronome story is an old one attributed to Anton Schindler, Beethovens amanuensis who was notoriously unreliable. The story is great because it does seem to fit many elements of the music. But it's probably apocryphal. The good news is that even that story doesn't hold, it's much more likely that Beethoven is poking fun at Rossini and many of his cheap tricks. Rossini was actually the most famous composer in Vienna even while Beethoven was alive and it annoyed him greatly. The similarities of the 8th's Allegretto to Rossini's opera buffa gimmicks are really funny. Take for example, the banality of the main melody or the 1-6-5-7-1 melodic line in cadential passages which are straight from almost every Rossini coda, or the cheap thrills of the ending and the many fast repeated notes. It's all wonderful fun.
Yeah, the 8th is one of the funniest, I love the 1st movement and the 2nd. But the 4th is a great competitor in term of jokes too (and it might be one of my favorite)
I like the Eighth better than the Seventh. The Eighth and the Second symphony have, to me, kind of the same feel (lighthearted and boisterous), and they are possibly two of my favorite Beethoven symphonies. Louis van Beethoven really was a fun guy, sometimes.
Great series...would love it if you could do one on the Mahler symphonies..I love your Spotify podcast on the second symphony..they are such profound yet massive works..it would be fantastic to your have analysis of them to help appreciate them better!!
hi! these quick guides are fantastic and helpful! :) but could you write down the recommended recordings also into the info box, please? it would make it easier to look for them ;)
You skipped the joke of the clarinet solo in the trio of the 3rd movement! It keeps winding up to be exalted and shies away from it to the end on what was probably the highest written note for the instrument at the time, but pianissimo, like a kid blushing and hiding timidly
Might do the later Mozart Symphonies some day --- and Mozart Requiem probably a long way off. It's an interesting one because Mozart didn't write half of the final product we know today
I had an absolute asshole for a conductor the only time I played this so I get ptsd everytime I hear this symphony. I want to love this symphony but I hate it.
That is something that developed. As Orchestras got bigger and the tonal quality of the instruments changed the balance was thrown off. That is probably why people thought that Beethoven was not the best orchestrator. If you play Beethoven with modern instruments and the same big string group that you use for Bruckner or Mahler then you will absolutely have to double the winds and start to change dynamics. This is what was done in the first half of the 20th Century. Then came HIP with the idea of using period instruments and reducing the string section down to the small sizes that were common in Beethoven's time, and suddenly the balance was restored.
There is no contrast between the 7th and the 8th. Putting in the slow movement of the 7th where the second movement of the 8th is, makes no sense musically.
You can imagine whatever you want with the 8th, and pretend all you want that it’s “funny”, whatever that means. The 8th is a letdown, no matter how weirdly you try to incorporate sentence structure, mind-read Beethoven from over 200 years ago, or continuously say “comedic” or “comedy” “jokes”. 😂😂😂
You're not alone. But in my opinion, this symphony is always the bottom of the heap in large part because it's done so poorly. Conductors rarely have great comedic timing and more often than not, they don't understand the jokes.
I loved the intro ' Don't underestimate this symphony '
(Actually, All of Beethoven Symphonies are enjoyable.)
btw I love the 2nd Movement of this symphony
Pro trick: watch series at kaldroStream. Been using them for watching loads of movies these days.
@Ford Blake definitely, I have been using Kaldrostream for years myself :)
@Ford Blake definitely, have been watching on KaldroStream for months myself =)
@Ford Blake Yup, been watching on kaldroStream for since december myself :)
There's so much worth mentioning about the historical and personal background of Beethoven that could explain the choosen style of his 8th symphony. For example: in 1812 Beethoven had his long awaited meeting with Goethe. His acquaintance with him was verry amusing. Absolutely worth reading about it.
yes sometimes composers just wanna have fun - and if life were what it ought to be, it would be mostly fun
Just look at what Beethoven composed when he was at death's door- the String Quartet in F, Op. 135, whose prevailing mood is similar to the 8th symphony. It's even in the same key as the 8th Symphony, and has the same hammering C# in octaves!
I play the bassoon and I am never embarrassed, thank you.
This is for me a lighter and an unfamiliar side of Beethoven that I wasn't aware of before. I've always had the impression of a stern and solemn Beethoven who was always dead serious. Also to my knowledge, the 8th is practically unknown compared to the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th symphonies. Thank you for this enlightenment, maestro!
Beethovens sonata Op. 31 No. 1 is quite similar in style. It is followed by the tempest sonata which is way more popular.
They are both masterpieces though.
Beethoven was a composer with a lot of faces. Serious and dramatic, but also funny and lyrical if he wanted to be.
Interesting analysis, pointed out details I had never noticed in the decades that I know this symphony.
Minor point: The third movement is indeed a minuet, in spirit if not labeled such. I sounds nothing like a scherzo. That's my $0.02 (US)
The 8th is my favourite Beethoven's Symphony. I think it is simple, beautiful, cheerful and catchy without being primitive. It sounds like beethoven at his best but is so much underestimated.
The 8th definitely is a very light hearted symphony (I was lucky to have listened to is during my college days). His fourth symphony is also full of musical jokes (the opening is omnious and bang changes track). The finale also ends abruptly (despite some omnious notes before the end). More folks should listen to these symphonies too.
Commentator : Here's his first musical joke !!
Me (a total newbie) : YeAh RigHT, RoFLaMo, sUuuCh a Wag
I really appreciate what you did. Can you also analyze Mozart's and Schubert's symphonies?
Plan to hit some of the later ones, yes
You know, I never thought of classical music as humorous before this video, including in the context of this symphony. Now when I listen to Beethoven’s 8th the next time, I will listen with keen ear for this humour you touched on in this analysis! Great work as always! So often I find myself learning of the subtle nuances I never noticed before when I watch your classical music analysis videos!
YAY ONE LEFT, the 9th will be a big one lol
Same here
This symphony is by far my favorite.
Just recorded the 2nd movement for guitar quartet! I have the entire thing arranged for guitar quartet. I love the abrupt key changes. Especially in the last movement near the end. We can hear ideas and concepts to soon be seen in the 9th.
I fell in love with Beethoven's 8th when I first heard it.
The development section begins with a modern rhythmic idea & goes through an eerie build up, Love it
I was listening to the development section of the first movement of the Pastorale and thought... how does this not make Philip Glass irrelevant 150 years in advance?
Loving these Beethoven video and your channel. Will you be covering Beethoven’s piano concertos also?
I just found your channel and this is a blessing. I’m 22 and I’ve been fascinated with classical music since when I was in secondary school. Peaked at middle school while I play on an electric keyboard during events and now I compose music through garageband. 🙏🏻💕
Next is the 9th, I'm so excited for your analysis on this one!!
I’d really like to hear your take on one of Shostakovich’s works. I personally like his 9th symphony the best, and it’s always interesting to hear someone else’s opinions.
Great video, this series of videos is what made me start composing my first symphony
I was going to go to a performance of Beethoven’s 8th on a Sunday and the quarantine started on that Friday!
Sad
Jacob H I have been able to go to my first live orchestra since the outbreak! No Beethoven Symphonies yet.
You should do all the Haydn symphonies
Oh wait
Might do some some day
@@InsidetheScore Definitely looking forward!
My favourite of the 9. I find it incredibly life-affirming. A great achievement, given its miniature stature and overt triviality.
The trick of using the fragment of the first theme to end the movement was mimicked by Charles Gounod in the beginning movements of both his symphonies - which, I'd say, are enjoyable in their own right.
If all Beethoven’s symphonies were one ginormous one, I would group: 1st to 4th as the “1st movement”, 5th to 7th as the “2nd movement”, 8th as the scherzo and 9th as the finale.
Hyped for 9!
How can we be certain these are "jokes" about being in the "wrong" key and not just incredibly complex albeit lighthearted sounding modulations? I know a tiny bit of music theory from college but like, always admired people would could gleam this much data out of music.
I think when you listen to it all in context - especially when you're familiar with *all* his other symphonies - it becomes apparent that he's making fun. Some conductors milk it more than others
That's a great question! As a conductor and music theory nerd myself, I love this symphony for it's jokes, both inside and overt. One way to "get" the jokes is to know what were the conventions of the time, especially the ones Beethoven himself developed. There is one theory book that will give you the most insight into this. It is Classical Form by William E. Caplan. It's super dry but the understanding of conventions really makes the rule breaking all that more hilarious. Without that understanding on the part of the performers, this piece ends up sounding benign which it's not! As the narrator said, "do not underestimate this symphony"!
@@eugenetzigane The funniest jokes of Beethoven's symphonies, IMO, are the multiple points of the Ode to Joy that violate basic precepts of musical forward motion, as the music has to pick itself up from a dead stop. Even as the music was of an unprecedented scale, it punctured pomposity.
Finally, someone recognises the humour of this symphony.
My friend thought I was crazy for laughing during this symphony in the car. It's so comical. It was the way the first movement ended that sealed 👌 my love for it the first time I heard it. It's such a funny 🔥 ball of a symphony 😁
I am really loving this Series!!!!!
I'm glad!
This symphony and Shostakovich 9th are the best "funny" symphonies.
I love them both so much.
Everyone expected a big monumental serious symphony from them and they both decide to to give quite the opposite.
Dont forget Mahler 4 man. After his first three big symhonies everyone expected his 4th to match the exact same standards but it became such a lighthearted lush symphony with "only" 4 movements, even if its not a "joking symphony" per se
Although I already dived deep into Beethoven's symphonies, I cannot enjoy your short guides enough. Really entertaining and helpful for those who haven’t looked into it yet.
I am looking forward to the guide to the 9th symphony.
Maybe you will make a video about his unfinished 10th symphony by any chance?
Great analysis! I’d love to hear about more composer’s musical humor. It’s a great way to connect with them!
I read long ago that Beethoven and few of his good friends went to a picnic 1 day.
One of his friends had invented the Metronome and had brought it with him to show to Beethoven..
Beethovens was amused and wrote the 2nd movement based on tictac of that metronome.
Beethovens had such a good time that day that he wrote the 8th just to remind him of that pleasant/happy day.
This is what it is so playfu happyl and funny... and a feel-good but short symphony.
I guess all good times were short lived for him. :-(
Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot from your videos. I loved Beethoven since age of 10 or 12 my older brother turned me on to classical music but Beethoven has always had a special place in my heart. He is truly the King.
I was recently working on a research in Univereity about the 8th. Unfortunatly that Canon that was apparently written on a tissue or something while having dinner did not exist. One of the first Beethoven researchers wrote it and made up that story that is so well known that even many Majestros believe it. He hoped to get more recognition and fame with that story. Seems like the story got more of it. Best
What I wanted to say is, that the roumors that the metronome inspired Beethoven is probably untrue since Anton Schindler made that up and also wrote the Canon that has this them. Its WoO 162 Mälzelkanon, and became apparently the second mvmt. But none of this is true
@@666LiveAndLetDie666 if what you say is true then proves what I've always said. You can't trust everything that you read....
Have you heard the one about Beethoven's Symphony... so, he was in this key, but it turned out to be the wrong key, so...
I'm wishing the next series is on Beethoven PCs or Brahms
Thank you for sharing so I can appreciate it in a new way^^
Favourite Beet symphony
Love this symphony to. It's fun to play but that trio is not a picnic for hornplayers. Didn't do it justice myself during a concert.
THANK YOU!! Please do the ninth!🤞
The 8th might be my favourite though he doesn't smash it as much with the themes.
The theme of the first movement is great, though, probably my favorite mov 1 of his symphonies.
I consider it an almost more rhythmic symphony.
It's also the most energizing symphony. Designed to make you transcend.
Thanks! This was really helpful!
Essa Sinfonia sempre esteve presente em minha escuta, o esclarecimento dos comentários e partituras ampliaram aessa escuta e o prazer. Obrigado!
I absolutely loved the analysis of the entire series, waiting for the 9th Symphony especially because I'm writing a dissertation on it, I'll be citing your video as a source on it as well! Keep up the excellent work 👍🏻
Beethoven 8 and Shostakovich 9 might be the funniest symphonies ever composed
The hammering sharpened submediant also recurs in the scherzo of his String Quartet in F, Op. 135, and in more subtle form, operates as a foil to the opening fanfare of the Eroica symphony.
now that's funny
I read that B's 2nd and 8th were Stravinsky's favorites.
This is some very niche comedy
Thank you again for this awesome video! I don't know if you take suggestions, but i would love you to do a video on Carl Orff and his music! Nonetheless, thank you for these in depth videos!
Beethoven's own favourite symphony. I like it 'cos it doesn't bugger about.
And that’s why we are still talking about, listening to and learning from a guy who was born 250 years ago!
In Prof. Greenberg's Great Courses lecture on this symphony, he says that the second movement is about the metronome. That constant ticking in the strings represents the sound of the device and the rest of the orchestra tries to play along with it. At the end of that passage, there is a quick whirring sound representing the metronome getting wound up. Finally, that clash of noise at the end is either the metronome breaking down or getting smashed in frustration. I don't know how valid this theory is, but it really seems to fit what goes on in the movement.
The metronome story is an old one attributed to Anton Schindler, Beethovens amanuensis who was notoriously unreliable. The story is great because it does seem to fit many elements of the music. But it's probably apocryphal.
The good news is that even that story doesn't hold, it's much more likely that Beethoven is poking fun at Rossini and many of his cheap tricks. Rossini was actually the most famous composer in Vienna even while Beethoven was alive and it annoyed him greatly. The similarities of the 8th's Allegretto to Rossini's opera buffa gimmicks are really funny. Take for example, the banality of the main melody or the 1-6-5-7-1 melodic line in cadential passages which are straight from almost every Rossini coda, or the cheap thrills of the ending and the many fast repeated notes. It's all wonderful fun.
Yeah, the 8th is one of the funniest, I love the 1st movement and the 2nd. But the 4th is a great competitor in term of jokes too (and it might be one of my favorite)
I like the Eighth better than the Seventh. The Eighth and the Second symphony have, to me, kind of the same feel (lighthearted and boisterous), and they are possibly two of my favorite Beethoven symphonies. Louis van Beethoven really was a fun guy, sometimes.
It's a matter of personal taste. For me his 3rd symphony was his most monumental.
I like Louis van Beethoven too, but I prefer Ludwig.
It was the first Beethoven symphony I had on a DECCA LP,
and I only bought it because Mendelssohn's Italian was on the other side!
Thank you for this! Great analysis!
i love what you do! could you analyze Chopin too ?
Great series...would love it if you could do one on the Mahler symphonies..I love your Spotify podcast on the second symphony..they are such profound yet massive works..it would be fantastic to your have analysis of them to help appreciate them better!!
Make a quick guide for piano concerto 5 and 4 of Beethoven.
Man, sounds like Louie should have paid more attention in music class! Getting all those wrong keys, his report card must have been like mine.
It subverts expectations, yet never feels pretentious or disjointed. It's just pure fun.
While the 7th is my favourite, I think all the Beethoven symphonies are good! All of them!
hi! these quick guides are fantastic and helpful! :) but could you write down the recommended recordings also into the info box, please? it would make it easier to look for them ;)
Please don’t forget to analyze Haydn’s symphonies, algo with Beethoven, he’s one of the best symphonist music’s history
You skipped the joke of the clarinet solo in the trio of the 3rd movement! It keeps winding up to be exalted and shies away from it to the end on what was probably the highest written note for the instrument at the time, but pianissimo, like a kid blushing and hiding timidly
It’s in my top 3 of his easily
Do you think an 'Opera spirit' characterizes this symphony..? Either in an ironical attitude or in a genuine, light-hearted disposition..
Great analysis. Would you by any chance analyse Bruckner's symphonies? They are quite underappreciated
I've watched a performance of this piece on my city, the conductor said Beethoven was actually making fun of the metronome.
Brilliant ^^
Would you suggest a few of the most humorous recordings?
One criticism of the time was "the finale was a wounded snake unwilling to die, and in the finale bleeding to death.:
This was a criticism of the 2nd symphony, not the 8th.
Could you do something like this with Mozart requiem or symphonies
Might do the later Mozart Symphonies some day --- and Mozart Requiem probably a long way off. It's an interesting one because Mozart didn't write half of the final product we know today
You should cover video game music
8 minute video explaining the 8th symphony. Funny.
I had an absolute asshole for a conductor the only time I played this so I get ptsd everytime I hear this symphony. I want to love this symphony but I hate it.
I have heard it said that Beethoven was not a good orchestrator...
Excuse me, what planet are they on?
That is something that developed. As Orchestras got bigger and the tonal quality of the instruments changed the balance was thrown off. That is probably why people thought that Beethoven was not the best orchestrator.
If you play Beethoven with modern instruments and the same big string group that you use for Bruckner or Mahler then you will absolutely have to double the winds and start to change dynamics. This is what was done in the first half of the 20th Century. Then came HIP with the idea of using period instruments and reducing the string section down to the small sizes that were common in Beethoven's time, and suddenly the balance was restored.
Beware of the fake down beat
Only classical musicians can laugh and feel offended
The narration is 3x louder than the music itself, consider reversing this.
How do I buy you a coffee? :P
👏
SUBTLE
There is no contrast between the 7th and the 8th. Putting in the slow movement of the 7th where the second movement of the 8th is, makes no sense musically.
Bruh
I'm early :D
I've never taken anything Beethoven wrote very seriously. To me he seemed to be constantly trolling. That's not to say he wasn't a genius.
I always thought them artistic and expressive not funny :(
You can imagine whatever you want with the 8th, and pretend all you want that it’s “funny”, whatever that means. The 8th is a letdown, no matter how weirdly you try to incorporate sentence structure, mind-read Beethoven from over 200 years ago, or continuously say “comedic” or “comedy” “jokes”. 😂😂😂
Along with symphonies No. 1 & 4, this one is my least favorite 😕
You're not alone. But in my opinion, this symphony is always the bottom of the heap in large part because it's done so poorly. Conductors rarely have great comedic timing and more often than not, they don't understand the jokes.