The supreme master of Beethoven variations
mainWas Dudley Moore.
Taking the theme of ‘Hitler’s only got one…’
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I remember Martin Lovett saying that when it was suggested that Dudley Moore play with the Amadeus Quartet, he refused the idea and later regretted it. RIP.
Not nearly as good as “Springtime for Hitler.” Mel Brooks
Horses for courses, ff. They are both comic geniuses.
It’s totally different to Springtime for Hitler, so what is the point of making the comparison?
Oh, yes, I was introduced to this [mumble mumble] decades ago and it’s still one of the most brilliant things ever. I even have a colleague who used it as a classroom illustration of sonata form (yeah, yeah, it’s missing the recap and goes straight to the coda, bfd).
His send-up of a Britten folk song arrangement sung by Peter Pears from the same show is legendary, too.
Yes, and it’s a pity that Britten took such offence. He should have been honoured.
Every time I watch Moore perform it, I think that a parody of such quality can only spring from a deep love and understanding of the original.
If you can also post the video of him doing “little Miss Muffett….” in th style of Britten and Pears that will also light up a dull day
Nothing to stop stop you doing it yourself, but as you didn’t, I will!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdmoxlqQQ4c
There’s a Brecht/Weill there, too!
And a very sophisticated audience to appreciate it.
Great – thanks !
Indeed, Moore was a man of extraordinary talent who would have been woefully underappreciated among the banality of today’s comedy circuit.
You cannot present a mass audience with a parody of Beethoven or Britten when most of them are unfamiliar with the originals.
Just about right!
The tune is Colonel Bogey, a military march.
The fact that somebody composed some cheeky words to it about Hitler and his mates is irrelevant to the clip.
Thank you for setting the record straight.
Here’s the original of Colonel Bogey, the tune that Dudley Moore used.
(starting with a minute or so of rather tedious drumming)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbvyBWHX-eQ&t=181s
Not when you’ve been brought up in England. Those words is all you can hear 60 years later, but doesn’t take away from the talent of Dudley Moore. Just that he would know the words too – very British humour.
Victor Borge was the master of this sort of thing: he was much, much better.
Not about being better! Dudley Moore is only known by so many in Britain as a comedian with Peter Cook. His pianistic skills were never seen. Victor Borge is someone else.
Wonderful!