Instruments can be divided into several categories.
Usually, they are limited to string, wind or percussion instruments. We’re all used to mostly seeing a guitar and piano performance. But, how about a typewriter? Yes, that’s right—a mechanical machine used to write text.
Don’t be skeptical—it can make an awesome addition to the orchestra and you have the opportunity to see it for yourself.
Funnily enough, there’s even paper in the typewriter!
Seeing a typewriter in the middle of an orchestra performance is not the most ordinary thing, but you’ll be surprised to know that the piece they play here was composed in 1950 by Leroy Anderson.
He is an American composer, and the short composition called “The Typewriter” features an actual typewriter as a percussion instrument. You got to hand it to the man—it’s very original.
The piece has been performed by many different musicians ever since, and here we see Alfredo Anaya playing solo on the typing machine.
It’s part of the 2011 “Voces para la Paz” concert in Madrid. “Voces para la Paz” is the humanitarian association of Spain-based musicians and the title translates to “Voices for the Peace.”
The audience loved it, that’s for sure—it’s not very often that you hear a concert hall blasting full of long, loud laughter.
Everything about the video is hilarious from the very beginning.
People involved in this concert are pretty big names in Spain, though. Alfredo Anaya is a famous percussionist and the conductor Miguel Roa has had some major appearances with some of the most famous orchestras worldwide—from Chicago to Tokyo and throughout Europe.
As the video begins, Anaya—the typewriter soloist—comes with his “instrument” and chooses to put it in the front of the orchestra.
It’s all a show, and people laugh at his funny facial expressions as he puts paper in the typewriter and waits for it to come out, making the conductor nervous. When he finally sets in, the show can go on!
The orchestra is blowing it—everyone plays really well, but all you can hear is the click-clack of the typewriter.
Every time Anaya finishes with a sentence, he also rings a bell. You wouldn’t believe how unexpectedly good it blends with all the other instruments. In the end, they pull the paper out to read everything and everyone in the room laughs.
“The Typewriter” has had its fair share of appearances in movies and different shows.
After Anderson completed “The Typewriter,” the Boston Pops Orchestra was the first one to record it in New York City for Decca Records.
Then William Zinn and Floyd Werle arranged it for string orchestras and wind bands.
Finally, “The Typewriter” became famous after Jerry Lewis performed it in the 1963 movie Who’s Minding the Store? It’s quite a history.
We’re confident that most people who’ve seen the typewriter solo didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as they did.
Judging by the YouTube comments, most viewers expected a silly act and ended up recommending it to everyone. The same happened to us—we had to share this humorous take on an orchestral performance!
The idea began simply enough, but the results were so innovative!
Since it was posted, it has earned more than five million views—and we can see why! The world of music needs more performances like this.
Watch the full thing in the link below:
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
