Why did the drummer get the applause?

Recently the Barbican in London held a series of wonderful concerts, in which the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig (Germany) played all nine Beethoven symphonies. The performances were impeccable, all the musicians were excellent. They got a big ovation each time. The flautist (flutist) got a big applause, the woodwind had a similar response, the strings were clapped, as well as all the other deserving musicians.
But then the conductor pointed to the kettle drum player, who stood up, and then the house was brought down with a thunderous applause, whistles, howling. And this happened in every single concert (I was there). So, why did the drummer get the biggest applause, when he didn't do anything extraordinary?


The VATES solves the riddle: --- there were too many dumb asses, who had come to hear Beethoven so they could go home and brag about it, but couldn't appreciate the actual music (maybe, they didn't even like it), they just understood that the drummer had bravely bashed those big shiny kettle drums, and ain't that cool, baby? Must get some kettle drums for the brats this Christmas! F**k Beethoven!