Victor Borge, born on 3 January 1909 in Copenhagen, Denmark, was a formidable pianist. His playing was described as “warm, rich, and highly nuanced, achieved through pedal mixtures and the formation of his large, spatula hands with cushions on each fingertip.” For many decades, Borge was known the world over as “the comedian of the keyboard,” and the “funniest man in classical music.” An irrepressible musical humourist, his blend of comedy and virtuosic pianism combined musical satire and verbal spoofs to make classical music fun and accessible.
Victor Borge
Borge had taken piano lessons with Frederic Lamond, as a student of Franz Liszt. However, he decided against a career as a concert pianist and began entertaining audiences in the 1940s. He continued to tour well past the age of 80 and was affectionately known as “The Clown Prince of Denmark.” To celebrate his birthday on 3 January, let’s showcase 5 of his funniest routines.
Victor Borge: Hungarian Rhapsody # 2
Those who worked with him described Victor Borge as approachable, personable, and genuinely interested in others. He certainly had a very likeable, down-to-earth quality that made him accessible to people from all walks of life. Borge had the ability to transform high culture into something universally funny, making classical music both approachable and hilarious.
Victor Borge, 1968
He frequently used self-deprecating humour, which made him seem approachable and lovable. He certainly wasn’t above poking fun at himself, whether it was about his own playing technique or his accent. Borge was a master of physical comedy, which became an integral part of his performances. His physical humour was often used to enhance his musical routines, particularly when he was entertaining guests, as in the Hungarian Rhapsody for piano 4 hands.
Victor Borge: A Mini Opera
Borge’s comedy was characterised by a blend of sharp intellect and childlike playfulness. His humour was often built around conventions of classical music, like, in this case, some stereotypes about opera. Borge had the ability to convey humour through facial expressions, body language, and various inflections of his voice.
Whether he was performing a piano piece, conducting an orchestra, or singing all parts of an opera, his exaggerated expressions, wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and over-the-top gestures, helped amplify the comedic effect. This created a visual contrast to the often-sophisticated nature of classical music.
Victor Borge: Phonetic Punctuation
Without doubt, Borge’s phonetic punctuation sketch was one of the funniest skids in his repertoire. It was a hilarious and musical way of mimicking the sounds of punctuation marks with his voice. Borge did not simply read a text but gave life to punctuation by pronouncing it as if every mark had a unique phonetic pronunciation.
Borge, with hand gestures included, “explored a literary style that plays with the boundaries of language and sound.” Punctuation just isn’t a functional element but a sonic entity that contributes to the deeper meaning of the text. And it’s hilariously and infectiously funny!
Victor Borge/Marilyn Mulvey: Caro nome
Comedic Timing
Victor Borge teaming up in a duet with Marilyn Mulvey is truly one of the funniest routines involving classical music. Borge combines his brilliant comedic timing and musical expertise with his signature comic twist. The comedy comes from Borge’s interaction with the music and his guest, and from his humorous approach to playing the piano.
Borge’s comedic genius lies in his ability to manipulate the music itself. He might interrupt the beautiful flow of the aria by playing unexpected, absurdly comedic notes or changing the tempo in an exaggerated way. The contrast between the operatic beauty of the aria and Borge’s playful, almost childish piano accompaniments creates much of the humour.
Victor Borge, 1999
Borge’s humour was never mean-spirited as he had a gentle and warm demeanour and was known for being kind and respectful to his audience. He was also known for his generosity, and he was a strong advocate for charity, often raising money through his performances for various causes. His gentle yet universal humour transcended cultural boundaries, and his blend of musicality and comedy resonated with people from all walks of life.
Victor Borge was a timeless virtuoso who effortlessly blended classical music with sharp, witty humour, creating a unique fusion of artistry and comedy that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
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Wonderful ! Brought back happy memories.