The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra played one of Beethoven's best-known works to unsuspecting spectators at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on Wednesday night.

Visitors looked on as members of the orchestra performed Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in the museum's Garden of Contemplation.

WSO conductor Alexander Mickelthwate says he has always wanted to perform in the museum.

He added that Ode to Joy was selected for the "flash mob concert" because it embodies tolerance and respect for one another — a theme that Mickelthwate said fits what the museum represents.

"Through brotherly love, coming together, recognizing each other, tolerating, respecting and Beethoven was the only one who really put this into music," he said.

"I mean, Ode to Joy is … almost a prayer, but non-religious, and a meditation about the necessity, in a way, of us humans to work together."

The WSO will play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Centennial Concert Hall on March 27 and 28.