The Boston Symphony Orchestra played a Dropkick Murphys classic in honor of the Red Sox

"Here is a present from the Boston Symphony Orchestra for Red Sox fans everywhere."

Andris Nelsons, the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, throws out the first pitch before a game in June, 2013. AP Photo/Winslow Townson

By Hayden Bird

October 25, 2018

1 minute to read

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is no stranger to taking part in the special occasions for sports events. After all, they took part in the national anthem before Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

And prior to the Red Sox taking a 2-0 lead in the series over the Dodgers, the BSO released a challenge of its own to its Los Angeles counterpart.

“We challenge Gustavo [Dudamel] and the LA Philharmonic to top our theme song,” said BSO musical director Andris Nelsons. Naturally, Nelsons meant “Shipping up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys.

Here’s the orchestral version of the classic Boston song:

https://www.facebook.com/boston/videos/276110199680388

The BSO’s rendition was met with approval from the song’s originators. Dudamel and LA have yet to formally respond, though the LA Philharmonic’s Twitter account launched a poll asking for a vote on whether listeners prefer “Sweet Caroline” or “I love LA.”

This isn’t the first time the BSO has gotten into a friendly World Series competition with the opposing city’s orchestra. In 2013, they engaged in a musical back-and-forth with St. Louis, playing Irving Berlin’s “Anything You Can Do.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_k8oICRBH4