The supreme master of Beethoven variations

The supreme master of Beethoven variations

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norman lebrecht

April 29, 2020

Was Dudley Moore.

Taking the theme of ‘Hitler’s only got one…’

 

Comments

  • Jacqui Shaw says:

    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.

  • fflambeau says:

    Not nearly as good as “Springtime for Hitler.” Mel Brooks

  • bratschegirl says:

    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).

  • Thomas Dawkins says:

    His send-up of a Britten folk song arrangement sung by Peter Pears from the same show is legendary, too.

    • Nik says:

      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.

  • Jon says:

    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

  • Jan Kaznowski says:

    And a very sophisticated audience to appreciate it.
    Great – thanks !

    • Nik says:

      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.

  • Bart says:

    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.

  • fflambeau says:

    Victor Borge was the master of this sort of thing: he was much, much better.

    • Una says:

      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.

  • Una Barry says:

    Wonderful!

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