Benjamin Britten’s better half
mainSince so many of you fell about over Dudley Moore’s Beethoven variations, here’s his take-off on Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears.
Followed by a pre-Cabaret take on Brecht-Weill.
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Absolutely spot on! I didn’t think he could top the Beethoven. I was mistaken.
Hadn’t seen this in a while. I once thought the Britten parody nasty but now see it as clever and spot on. Takes a lot of understanding to hit the mark in this way. Loving parody. My understanding is that Pears thought it flattering and Britten flew into a rage. The Weill parody is far less accomplished.
That little Britten sketch, ever since I first saw it, ruined Britten’s music for me. It tends to sound bit like that.
Says more about your lack of taste than the quality of Britten’s music.
I don’t think so. There is a sour flavor to B’s music combined with something ‘homely’ that’s been profiled by Moore.
Still think his Schubert “Die Flabbergast” is the best of the lot…
Could you imagine a comedian doing that today? Very few people in the audience would have a clue who Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears were and would have no idea what was being sent up.
Then again, perhaps Dudley Moore’s audience were very sophisticated.
So true! Can you imagine Dudley Moore (an adored comedian of the era) having much of a chance on the comedy circuit and TV these days? A well spoken,well educated chap; forgoing the use of bad language to get a laugh. A comedy act reflecting his ability as a pianist steeped in the culture of art music. Not really the sort of thing which appeals to the masses nowadays. How times change!
“forgoing the use of bad language”!
Have you ever heard him on the Derek & Clive tapes? Not for the faint-hearted – you have been warned!
Whatever his genre, he was fantastic.
Ha! A wonderful opportunity for a company trying to cast Captain Vere!
Have a look for Dud and Marion Montgomery.
One of the best Kurt Weill takeoffs was “The Saga of Jenny” re-written by Sondheim as “The Saga of Lenny” and sung by Lauren Bacall at Bernstein’s 70th. God, it’s
good
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0besKFXnOyI
Priceless! Never fails to bring a laugh.