Jacob Collier walks onstage to conduct an orchestra … but none of the musicians know what song they’re about to play. In a joyful experiment in live music-making, Collier pieces together an iconic song with the VSO School of Music Orchestra (and a little help from the audience in the TED Theater). Turns out, all you need is some improvisational magic. (Recorded at TED2026 on April 16, 2026)
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#TED #TEDTalks #JacobCollier #TheBeatles
@CecilCeceRobert
June 24, 2026 at 1:51 pm
🙄
@ProdByNuvano
June 25, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Yo can he pls start making this a weekly thing, its always so beautiful
@lisa1689LBC
June 25, 2026 at 6:59 pm
I’d love to know what Paul Anka, Paul Williams and Richard Carpenter think of this brilliant guy.
@RichMulholland
June 25, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Thank you wonderful humans ❤️🔥
@strangecws123
June 25, 2026 at 7:15 pm
Absolute premeditated genius. Jacob has invented a new performance art form.
@sandragiuria8725
June 25, 2026 at 7:24 pm
Genius you and a great group of musicians.AwesomeAmazing !!!!
@sandragiuria8725
June 25, 2026 at 7:25 pm
Thank you Jacob and everyone!!!❤
@JayWisco
June 25, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Low tier content. What happened to TED?
@brickviking667
June 25, 2026 at 7:38 pm
I finally identified the piece – around about 10:00. Props to Jacob Collier for leaving the mystery that long.
@jesusestanislao1253
June 25, 2026 at 7:53 pm
Goosebumps…
@S3VENROY
June 25, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Killer band!
@geordie4339
June 25, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Am I the only one that doesn’t get it?
@BrianHurry
June 25, 2026 at 8:08 pm
2:41 I know it
Edit: nope I was wrong
@BrianHurry
June 25, 2026 at 8:19 pm
I can’t afford tickets but next time can you tell me when you’re in Vancouver I’ll sneak in and see you
@mati.romero81
June 25, 2026 at 8:21 pm
Might be the longest running scam ever. kuddos to him
@reneem.fountain7250
June 25, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Absolutely amazing! Astounding! ❤❤❤❤
@dbadagna
June 25, 2026 at 8:29 pm
VSO = Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
@ThangNGQ
June 25, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Absolutely incredible!
@rdking58
June 25, 2026 at 8:34 pm
Greatness
@mjears
June 25, 2026 at 8:35 pm
Brilliant and beautiful as usual! But this was not mostly “improvisational magic” (from the description). Except for the very end with the audience, this was all brilliant _arranging_ by Jacob. With his absolute pitch, he appears to pick notes out of the air, but it’s all in service of the arrangement in his head. Notice, too, how he simplified Lennon’s 7-beat verse into 4+4 to avoid throwing people off. Marvelous skills, delightful spirit, joyful music. ❤
@martinzeddy
June 25, 2026 at 8:38 pm
Probably because I’m old, but I knew it by 5:00. Jacob and the orchestra are all amazing!
@kurosawa1120
June 25, 2026 at 8:49 pm
pure genius without a doubt
@samenger1508
June 25, 2026 at 8:51 pm
5:57 Yeah ngl i would be scared too if i had this genius in front of my face
@guitars4ever176
June 25, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Jacobian brilliance. Truly a blessing to humanity!
@SeanDring
June 25, 2026 at 9:07 pm
The buildup reminds me of penguin café orchestra. Check out broadcasting from home album.
@leonardodalongisland
June 25, 2026 at 9:27 pm
He’s musically brilliant and wish he was my teacher. I’d repay him with fashion lessons.