From the Victor Borge: Then and Now III special. The source material had a low volume, so for best results, turn up the sound on your device and consider using headphones.
My former father-in-law was a 1st violinist with the Cincinnati Symphony. He said the entire orchestra used to love when Victor came to town. Victor would do a rehearsal with them. Nobody ever missed those days if the could possibly help it because he was just as funny with them in rehearsal as he was later during the performance. He also said Victor did not rehearse the entirety of his act so that the musicians reactions would all be genuine when he did or said something that was ad-lobbed or at least not part of the rehearsal. He wanted the musicians to enjoy the show as much or more than the audience. The last thing he said about Victor is that he was the only guest that everyone in the orchestra gave a true ovation to. Others were applauded out of politeness, while Victor received sustained applause from the musicians that was unmatched.
@@aSipOfHemlocktea Current thought is that thumbs up actually meant to kill the defeated gladiator. It was meant as "Okay, give the crowd what they want".
My sympathy is with the wind players....at least while they are laughing, the strings get more vibrato but it’s impossible to play a wind instrument when you’ve got the giggles. He was such a funny talented man and it was a privilege to see him live in concert...well I think it was a concert!!! Haha!!
@Susan Willy "He was such a funny talented man and it was a privilege to see him live in concert...well I think it was a concert!!! Haha!!" By Jove you made me chuckle with that, Susan:)
As a trumpet player whom had the same concert teacher for all my time through highschool who was the biggest comedian, I can really attest that there is no more deafening sound in symphony practice than when a wind player laughs while their lips are still on the mouthpiece.
I was stage manager when he visited our college campus. Every portion of his evening was tightly scripted, and it was quickly apparent he'd done this act thousands of times before. But I found him to be charming, delightful, and full of a simple fun of performing. His rehearsal with the symphony was playful. And when he broke script--and yes he broke script that night!--he did so to make fun of me and my crew and the contortions we had to do to run our ancient light board. A fun night!
Yes. I recall first seeing him on our black and white tv. Mum, a Londoner, already had seen him life. But the act palled a little eventually tho still very clever. Tv was the death of many music hall acts. As Dad said if you only saw an act once a year it didnt pall but unchanging acts couldnt cope with being on tv more often.
Being a true professional as a musician is being able to play a complicated piece of music while Victor Borge is clowning around on the podium--and keeping a straight face at the same time!
One of his funniest bits. Of course, they were all funny. And personally, I always hated using that type of music stand and the first time I saw him use it that way I almost fell out of my chair.
We had one for my daughter for practicing her violin. She no longer plays and I had it in the donation bag, but my sister said that her son wanted one because the bigger, heavier music stand was too big for his dorm.
I mean, the suicide “joke” in this one would now be considered bad taste. It was then, too, but because of the “humor” of the whole situation, it was overlooked quickly.
@@dahmainahgaimah2913 I think it’s not suicide now that I look again, but more like a “you suck, get off my stage” and then he is “shot” because of his bad performance. I think that’s why he brings him back out at the end to be like “see? Everything’s ok”
I have to work in 3 hours yet instead of sleeping I have spent the last 3 hours giggling at Victor Borge clips. I may need to reevaluate my decision, but not until this video ends at least!
My late father loved this man, and I could never understand why. Now as a man myself, looking back at this performance, I weep. Not just because he is so funny, but because I can see my fathers sense of humour writ large on screen. I miss you, Dad, I love you and I’m sorry for all the years we wasted…
I feel you. My father (who also sadly passed away) had also shown me Victor Borge’s brilliant work too since he really liked his work and sense of humor too. Now, I find him to be one of the best musicians and comedians of all time. I love Borge’s work on a creative standpoint, a hilarious standpoint and a personal standpoint because of the impact he had on my dad. I still miss my father everyday and I would like to spend more time with him again. Gracias, Papi. Yo te amo. ;_;
Borge also reminds me of my.father, sadly he was not a good man. I am glad that his anger and abuse didn't leave me cold too this amazing and talented comedian
I grew up hearing Victor Borge - my parents were huge fans! I remember watching my father with tears rolling down his cheeks from laughing so much; great memories 😀
Don't feel too sorry for what was lost. Any life is too big for just one lifetime. There's just no way we can always be a part of even one person's life. It's just too much...let alone always being a part of everyone's lives. Regretting the moments we miss out on is just going to hurt you more in the end. Simply be glad for the moments you get with anyone, and remember that someone else missed a lot with you, too. We get what we get, and we should cherish that, rather than regret what we didn't get.
Victor Borge got his start as a concert pianist in his native Denmark. During World War II, his country was occupied by Nazi Germany. Borge would interrupt his concerts to tell anti-Nazi jokes. Obviously the Nazis did not appreciate his humor, so he had to flee. My memories of Borge go back to his TV appearances in the early 1960's. His humor was not complicated. It just worked. Does anyone else remember his routine where he read a book out loud, verbalizing the punctuation marks?
I don't remember all the details but I can picture him making a period and exclamation points etc. I think he made a sound by biting his lip and blowing air through his teeth. I was very young.
@@bigredc222 We were all very young! 🤣 But I do hope someone with a clip of Borge doing one of his "readings" posts it. It was pretty funny. He also made gestures with his hands, if you remember.
Victor performed at SDSU not long before he passed. He was 80 I think. He did this routine and a page blew off the stage 5 feet below. He looked at it, looked up and everyone cracked up. He then sprly hopped of the stage, picked up the page and hopped 5 feet up back on stage. At 80! Everyone gasped in disbelief followed by a thunderous roar of applause. I still have an early 78 album with his classic Phonetic Punctuation inherited from my dad. Precious!
There has never been anyone like Victor Borge. Every antic he did was clever, unexpected, and caught us off guard. A true genius and funnyman from an unlikely background. I am glad there are films and videos of him because it saddens me that he is no longer with us. However, his uniquely ridiculous and highly intellectual humor will live on to surprise many generations to come.
I could not agree with you more. He was a treasure and provided so many with good, clean comedy. My mom watched him. I watched him and my kids saw him on VHS. Appealing to all ages.
Having seen his performances on the tele, over the years, even if I have seen the program before, my family would laugh ourselves silly. When he would play "The Blue Danube" backwards, turn the sheets over and then play it properly, he was one of a kind. The world is a lesser place without him. He brought joy to all, through music. Thank you Sir.
Victor was to classical music what the Harlem Globetrotters are to basketball. Such a singular talent, and a kind of musical comedy we don't see hardly enough of in the world.
@@opinionday0079 You people are easy to please, hm? It's a stick. Nothing more. You can scratch your back with it. Or pick your nose, or shove it up your backside, whatever.
He is surprised when the orchestra takes on a life of its own .. Playing without his commands .. And it seems like he is always getting little electric shocks😂😂😂😂😂😂❤
This conductor, Mr. Borge, is about the cutest elderly gent I've ever witnessed. Must have truly enjoyed his work and playing into the 'forgetful, senile old man' bit. I imagine working with him was probably a great bit of fun, so long as he was actually fun and not overly controlling. Looks like this was all really well planned and that even the musicians enjoyed it. So that's wonderful. I'd have been in my mid-teens when he was doing this, and I would have enjoyed every bit of this.
Such a bloody shame, no one else like him, he came and was gone, taking with him a helluva sense of humor and amazing awareness. Pity, there aren't at least one or two more like him.
I'll check out Vinheteiro. His "How To Make A Woman Smile" was amusing, though not of Borge's caliber. Though that's the only one I've seen yet. Andre Rieu looks interesting, but strictly for the music as I didn't see anything funny in the couple of vids that I spot checked.
A British alternative "comedian" once said that if you're not offending someone you're not doing your job. Victor Borge was proof that comedy needn't be about offending or trashing someone's reputation, it's simply about making people laugh.
I mean, no matter what you do, *someone* is going to be offended. I'm sure there are some stuck-up classical music types who think this performance was garbage. The trick is to do things because it's funny, and will make people laugh, not to do something just because someone will get offended at it. Some modern comedians get it twisted and think that being a dickbag who makes degrading jokes about others that only shitty people laugh at is the right way to go about comedy just because other people get upset about it. Don't be afraid of offending people, but don't think that if you do, it makes you funny.
@@Palgrave I think I disagree here. Really stuck-up musicians may not like this and find it un-funny, but there's nothing there which is actually offensive to them or insults them.
@@RobinLSL If people didn't get overly aggrieved about things that weren"t actually offensive but were merely perceived as being insulting there wouldn't have been a need for the original comment in the first place ☝️
I was only two years old when this was done, so I'm disappointed that I never got to see this when he was around. To be so funny while looking so incompetent while it's actually a so incredibly choreographed is true genius!! Not to mention the wonderful cast of players who worked with him. They all deserve a round of applause!! A true legend. Rest in peace, Victor. May even the gods laugh with you!!🤣
Victor is the best example that men can become old as a stone but always be a little boy😍his way of humor is so pure and lovely that everyone needs to laugh 😍😂and a big applause for the orchestra, that's what I call professionals. It's so sweet that this man was able to make everyone laugh😍😍a great entertainer😍😍
That last bit when the orchestra have to hold the note until he finds how to end it xD When I was rehearsing (cello) the conductor once did the same with me until the second violins got the tune right xD
Earlier on, the bit was to send the concertmaster off and then he would go get the last chair 2nd violin to replace him. That didn’t always sit well with people, so he toned it down to what’s in this video, with everyone moving up one stand. Still funny.
I got to meet him in Ft Worth as a kid in the 90s. I don't really remember but my mom told me that when we were in line I was sitting in the buggy talking to someone in line behind us. My mom said she turned to see my showing off the candy she got me to Victor Borge. She said he was a wonderfully sweet man❤️
How can i be living without know about Victor Borge all those years of my life... Love for comedy, love for classical music. Thank you for make my life better!!!
I had the privilege of seeing Victor in concert at the Westbury Music Fair back in the mid 1990's with my wife. He was a riot, everyone in the audience having a great time. Oh, does anyone watching this really believe that even needed the sheet music at all? And don't forget what this song is most famous for: "Beep! Beep!" The Road Runner cartoons.
Wow, that was absolutely hilarious! The music stand bit I thought was especially good; anyone who has had experience playing with one of those stands would probably agree that they can be just the worst.
Thank you for sharing this gem. I loved watching Mr. Borge when I was young, and I still love watching him. Only difference, was the show was live on tv when I was young.
I loved him as a child….I was mesmerized by his incredible talent, blended with humor and often the deadpan expression on his face. Finding this video has made my evening. Thank you. 🎶❤️🎶
I did get to see him live in concert. It was truly great. His talent was wonderful as a musician and a comedian. One of the highlights of my life. Thank you for sharing this gem. ❤️
I have always marveled at Mr. Borge's uncanny ability as a pianist, sometimes even playing a piece BACKWARDS....now that I myself am a budding pianist I appreciate his musicianship and versatility all the more....AND he made people laugh at the same time! The world lost a virtuoso, may he rest in peace
Saw him in Salzburg in 80, and he played concertos before the comedy show with perfection. Phylys Diller performed without any jokes, purely as a pianist, and wasn't introduced till she was finished...the ovation was incredible.
I miss him so much. I grew up with his performances from the 60s on and it was always such a highlight of my weekends to watch him on our black and white tv. If I remember correctly, I saw him on The Ed Sullivan Show, amongst other shows of the time. To the host of THIS channel, thank you so much for uploading this gem. You’ve brightened my day. God Bless you for the wonderful memories. 🙏🏽
É importante dar vida a música clássica, não apenas com as notas , mas também com a interpretação dos músicos e maestro ! Parabéns pelo trabalho vigoroso !
My mother was a second violin in the Sioux City (Iowa) Symphony and got to play for him once. He came in on a rope like Tarzan. At one point in the performance, his piano exploded.
❤Это называется - "ВЫСШИЙ ПИЛОТАЖ"❤ ! - столько трюков во время исполнения, и ни один из них не повлиял на качество игры оркестра ! Оркестр настолько великолепно сыгран, что, если бы дирижёру "вздумалось" отлучиться со сцены "по делам", то никто бы и "не заметил" этого !!! БРАВО ! БИС !❤🕊️👍👏💐🇷🇺