Surprise Symphony

If you go to a Classical music concert these days, everyone sits quietly and patiently while listening to music. The Boston Symphony Orchestra requests the listeners “do not talk, whisper, sing, hum, [and] move personal belongings.” 

But this wasn’t always the case. 

In Classical concerts hundreds of years ago, the audience would have fun talking to each other and playing cards while listening to music. 

The great composer Haydn wanted to grab people’s attention. He did this by creating a simple child-like tune that gets softer and softer ….. Until …...BAM! The whole orchestra crashes on a  powerful chord!

This would jolt the audience. Supposedly people would faint. 

Then, the child-like tune would continue, until the next surprise.  In between surprises, Haydn started weaving the tune into extraordinary soundscapes and colors.

Haydn’s piece is called the “Surprise Symphony.” 

You likely aren’t performing in concert halls, but in today’s hectic world, how are you grabbing and holding people’s attention during your talk and meetings?

Are you surprising people with something unexpected like a bold statement or starting fact? Asking a provocative question? Telling stories that go straight to the heart?

How would having your own “Surprise Symphony” change the game?

You can listen to Haydn’s Surprise Symphony here.

Thanks for listening!

With gratitude, 

Anwell Tsai