I was playing some Pete and Dud comedy for my housemate and it turned out that she worked a Dudley Moore piano concert. She says that all the staff of the venue had been very clearly told not to approach him bother him speak to him ask him to autograph anything -- she's at all of those things anyhow, she says, and he was extremely sweet and generous to her...
Lots of comments on here regarding Dudley Moore's skills as a pianist. This is no surprise, he was a formally trained musician. He held the organ scholarship at Magdalen College Oxford, one of the most prestigious organ scholarships in England. He was a hugely talented and highly qualified musician.
@@charliemaguire2210 This is known. What is less understood is Dudley Moore's prodigious classical training to degree level at Oxford. He was awarded a scholarship at the Guildhall School of Music at age 11, was a professionally paid organist at the age of 14, and won the organ scholarship at the University of Oxford where he was tutored by the composer Bernard Rose. He then graduated with BA Hons (Oxon) later upgraded to MA (Oxon). He could easily have progressed through a successful music career with the top jobs at Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. That is the true essence of Dudley Moore's gifted musical background.
@@ds1868 INDEED, i was merely adding composition to his bow,, all the classical training in the world doesn't automatically make you a good composer ( but it will help if you are ) but you are quite right to highlight his background. especially when you take into account his very humble origins in what was then metropolitan Essex shortly to be absorbed into London, & his childhood medical issues & operations. Both he & Cooky were very extraordinary talented people to say the least.
@@charliemaguire2210 Yes Dagenham. Just goes to show talent is everywhere, and if supported can lead to great results. I'm not sure if there is such support today, compared to the years when Dudley Moore was growing up. I think we've lost quite a few things in our country in recent years, without perhaps realising the true effect and loss.
Bill Bailey, Dudley, Les Dawson (think about it - it's difficult to play wrong correctly) and Victor Borge - all pure joy! Thanks lads - we owe ye much.
When I die, if there’s a heaven, or at least, an afterlife/alternate universe/different dimension, I hope there is a club called The Establishment where, in the music basement, there is a concert grand piano and dear Dudley performing his heart out - if all this holds true, I’ll be found there!! He is sorely missed. What wit, what boundless talent. How I miss him - thankfully we have RU-vid!
I wonder what the 3 Stooges would think! A man of his talent didn't deserve his type of dementia. Nobody does, but I especially Iiked Duddley because he made the best, despite a club foot. He didn't let it stop him from acting or playing the piano.
Dudley Moore was organ scholar at Magdalen College Oxford, one of the most prestigious organ scholarships in England. He was a formally trained and highly accomplished musician.
Playing flying octaves with such accuracy of delivering comedic timing. Incredible talent, incredible entertainment. Well, at least we have Taylor Swift.
OMG! The only thing I knew this guy for was that movie where he played a drunk. Fantastic piano! And with an incredible, (un)- disguised sense of humor.
how this audience laughs, shows their extremely high level of cultural knowledge, almost as impressive as the performance itself. I wouldn't know where to find a whole room full of people with such knowledge about classical music
I have a note-for-note transcription of this piece of Dudley brilliance! I can *follow* it, yeah, but PLAY it? Huh! Fat chance!! 😉 (So, how many of us heard the "Hernando's Hideaway" reference from The Pyjama Game ?)
I was blessed to see him perform with the original cast of "Beyond The Fringe" in London ... he (as were the rest of them) was amazing and very, very funny!!!
@@john1951w I am also a John, and I am sorry to disagree... I find Beethoven's endings to be short and abrupt, and I love it. That is except in his 5th symphony, last movement, which ends of 40 crashing major to minor chords. I have played it many times in the orchestra. Kind regards.
@@john1951w I would not be able to put into words the enrichment of my life that has come about by knowing the music of Beethoven... I am certain you will agree.
Nothing like Les Dawson or Victor Borge. A very erudite parody/pastiche with no wrong notes at all using all Beethoven’s mannerisms. A scholarly performance, and highly amusing and thrilling by turn.
To all those strange people who don't know why the audience are laughing: it's because it was both clever and funny. No cue cards needed. It helps if you're familiar with Beethoven. If you're not you can perhaps just admire his skill without quite getting the joke. And no, I don't think it was a wig. Believe it or not back in the day men sometimes had hair like that!
I'm sorry Mr Gray, I really don't understand your point. There seems to some criticism of the use of pseudonyms on the internet but after that you lost me. My old grandfather always advised me never to comment on RU-vid after a few drinks which I think is quite sound.
That was absolutely not why people were laughing. There was nothing funny whatsoever about the performance... It was musical genius but nothing funny. People were laughing because he is a comedian and they have got into the habit of laughing at him whatever he does. He could just shake his hands above his head and they would laugh. So for those who have never seen him it would look odd to see people laugh at a great musical performance.
I disagree obviously. Many things are funny about the performance and not only his clowning. The tune has slightly obscene connotations in Britain but is here treated seriously and developed as Beethoven might have. This contrast is intended to be funny and is.
@@Ferret1900 what is the tune? It seems to me like he rhapsodised on some famous tune, but what is it? It rings a bell, but I can't identify it and it's bugging me (I'm not british and I grew up listening to classical music only, so please forgive my ignorance)
I saw him in a performance with the local orchestra where he played Gershwin's Concerto in F. And he nailed it. I think many never learned what a truly fine pianist he was. (My point of view is somebody whose mother was a professional concert pianist.)
It’s easier to play a Beethoven piano concerto than it is to play this. I know, because I can play Beethoven, but I can’t play this! Absolute genius, musically and comically.
Couldn't agree more. This is technically very challenging, and although there are a few mistakes, deliberate, or otherwise, there's no doubting his proficiency. I've played most of Beethoven's Sonatas, but don't remember too many passages as challenging as these!
@@neorich59, purposefully making mistakes in classical music as part of the character of the piece, is generally speaking, much more difficult than making actual mistakes - it seems like the "mistakes", are part of the composition of the Beethoven themed arrangement of the River Kwai tune, and part of the mastery in the performance of the piece, by Dudley Moore, in this particular situation.
I like it! It's kind of quirky and I don't know how many times I thought it was about to end and it didn't, quite yet, but then Beethoven was known for his rather dramatic endings. It was a brilliant parody of Beethoven's music. 👍
So many geniuses back then. No one would EVER EVER go through all that training, become that good, and decide to make people laugh and stand out doing that too. 10 was funny as hell
Brilliant...to say the least. I have heard it in his first appearance,. The video is black and white and of course, a much younger version of himselñf but such creativity and dexterity are amazing.
From 3:20 onward Dudley was really giving that right sustain pedal on the piano a brutal stamping - I've seen him before at this point using it, his right foot thumping on it time and time as he played the finale.
What surprises me the most is his body English. I am convinced he has a secret stash of Beethoven videos somewhere and his body English too is in the style of Beethoven or similar.
Ronnie Wood is a close friend. said he watched Dudley on stage once and he was so maganificent. that is, woods said he ws so goodas a pianist he could make people laugh just doing that ! what a compliment
