Evening at the Pops: Victor Borge (1986)

This program, taped at Symphony Hall in Boston, features special guest Victor Borge, known for his unique blend of comedy and piano music. The program begins with John Williams conducting the orchestra in a performance of the following selections from the "Suite from Peer Gynt" by Edvard Grieg: "Morning," "Anitra's Dance," and "In the Hall of the Mountain King." Williams then introduces Borge, whose routine combines piano music, stand-up comedy, sight gags, musical antics, and bantering with orchestra members. Borge performs a well-known piece entitled "Humoresque"; conducts the orchestra in a comic performance of a piece entitled "Dance of the Comedians" by Bedrich Smetana, in which he purposely mixes up sheet music and forces the orchestra to pause and hold notes for inordinate lengths; and enacts his rendition of a one-act comic opera which he claims was composed by Mozart, describing each scene as he performs it. Williams returns to conduct the orchestra and Borge in a serious performance of the finale of Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff. Borge receives a standing ovation, and the announcer makes brief remarks about Borge's recent engagements and his popularity as an entertainer. The program concludes with Williams conducting the orchestra in a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra, arranged by Morton Stevens, featuring the songs "Come Fly With Me," "Call Me Irresponsible," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "My Way," "My Kind of Town, Chicago Is," and "All the Way."

[@walterflucher1992]

For me Victor Borge was and is the best entertainer I have ever seen!

[@Keyboardhugo]

Exactly. As Child, I watched some little Shows . Thanks for KZbin, so there is the chance to watch more from Victor.

[@dorianmclean6755]

I kick myself not seeing him in person...

[@leewilson77]

☺️

[@user-ti3st7nh2m]

Very well said

[@oscarignacioolavarriaaquev8363]

The imitación of the Mozart's Opera Magic Flute passages are very funny!!! Victor was a genius!😂

[@user-hz7cv1wz2c]

Ein hervorragender Künstler, gepaart mit großem Humor

[@kirbyhans5261]

One of the funniest things ever done . We miss you Victor.😂

[@nukecell2299]

Thanks for allowing and old man, a brief remembrance of the days when wholesome TV was still a thing.

[@srenee333]

A priceless performance all around

[@cosmoskingsbury2936]

Today has gone so wrong for me and then I played this program and I smiled....thank you Victor, and you too Media Stash💘💘💘

[@swedishtrekkie]

John Williams and Victor Borge on the same stage?! Dreams can come true.

[@SaccoBelmonte]

Right?! My jaw dropped when he welcomed John Williams on stage.

[@edmart8891]

I watched this in PBS while I did my graduate study in US in 1986, the same year this performance was recorded. Since then I was hooked to VB and was very much disappointed at that time as l was not able to record his antics in my VCR, the recording tool available those days. Thank goodness more than 35 years later there is KZbin... welcome back, memories...

[@sallypitts7659]

Oh, how I wish I could have seen this amazing man in person!!! My mom had great hopes for me as a teenager. I just wish I could've lived up to her expectations. Unfortunately, the 60's came along, my narcissistic, military dad had his own ideas for my future, and I failed both of them. Today, as a senior citizen, I truly enjoy the music this extraordinary, comical genius!!!

[@carolineschwender8045]

Quand je suis triste , je le regarde: un génie comique indéniable et un pianiste remarquable. Et ma tristesse s 'envole.

[@colettejoly8888]

Je découvre ce génial artiste le jour de Noël 2021... Une merveilleuse rencontre, moi qui n'aime rien tant que la musique et le rire... Mais tout le reste est très beau aussi. Quel irrésistible cocktail !!!! 🍸🥂 Un grand merci de France et tous mes vœux "from Europe" pour 2022 !💐💖🙋

[@fo1to]

Just wonderful😊

[@DRBiblicalMD]

this cracks me up every time I watch it

[@FabioBezoari]

Semplicemente eccezionale

[@JoachimAlbrecht-medienflotte]

Thanks for sharing this jewel...

[@irinaoz9081]

😁Hysterically funny and brilliant. And Talented. And intelligently. ❤

[@pgh45rpms]

The musicians seem to enjoy Victor's antics just as much as the audience.

[@edivaldofrancisco9649]

Um homem tao genialmente o melhor

[@torgenxblazterzoid]

He could probably have made a career for himself as a recital pianist, but he decided that there was enough musicians in the world. So he concentrated on making people laugh. And for that we should be very, very grateful.

[@agnesjrgensen8914]

Victor Borge, you were fantastic. Agnes, fellow Dane.

[@carolineschwender8045]

il me met de bonne humeur

[@peterhaslund]

Borge cracks me up every time, even 35 years on, my grandfather showed this to us kids and nearly fell off his piano chair laughing hard as he could

[@loganfruchtman953]

Classical music legend

[@chuckyoder5765]

I cannot imagine what it was like to be in attendance at this event ! It would be like being swept to a magical place and not wanting to return . Our society has lost its ability to live in moments like this !!!

[@dorianmclean6755]

God help us.

[@elisabethpaulos2326]

Amo Victor Borge ❤❤❤

[@hildegardderbal5908]

An absolute jewel indeed

[@davidleadford6511]

The Boston Pops are responsible for me learning how to enjoy classical music. Years later, I had the treat of my life. I free concert put on by the Boston Pops in downtown Hyannis, MA. I will never forget that.

[@vickyburton2434]

Most young people today do not even know what real music is. I just love having fun with this music and what a marvelous musician he was!💗💗💗

[@jackkircher1755]

I've seen thus piece many tines and often wondered where John was while Mt Borge was doing his thing. This time I noticed him in the violin section several times!

[@seitty]

Quanta genialidade e sensibilidade...

[@walden1618]

Quality winns. 😂

[@carolineschwender8045]

❤❤❤

[@frankemanuel3667]

Victor Borge Conductor❤ 11:39 11:58 12:12

[@jackkircher1755]

Many of the compositions the BP did under the direction of Mr Williams whine he was the conductor of the orchestra and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they are still using his work! I hope to goodness the orchestra is still in existence!

[@evenhazertannecy8134]

C était un génie ce gars

[@magdalenesulau8804]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@francopantuso3865]

Peccato non riesco a sapere l,inglese rido perché ridono gli altri ma con lui non c,è bisogno la gestualità e bella elegante sa trattenere gli amanti della musica sono appassionato di tale Passione con vera passione

[@lolov5369]

I have seen the Boston Pops 3 times. (Keith Lockhart) Twice in Boston on the 4th of July!!!!! and once in Park City Utah where we were actually able to meet Keith!!! Memories I will never forget!!!

[@jackkircher1755]

I was heavy hearted to find out Mr Williams left the POPS to follow after his first love, composing. When I saw Keith I was intreagged to see how great he was for such a young man. My one regret was that I never saw Arthur Fiedler conduct the orchestra. I did hear a recording on LP of "The sleigh Ride" that's when I grew to love the song!

[@Organintetnational]

I was 1 year old then. 😛

[@colonialradio1]

Does anyone know who the the first violin is? I remember seeing him in concerts and on the tv show.

[@dariopetesic8962]

Could someone please tell me what are the names of the first three songs?

[@MH3GL]

These are from Peer Gynt. 1) Morning 2) Anitra's Dance 3) In the Hall of the Mountain King

[@buyungrachminto6247]

What tittle in the first music with flute?

[@pianohope547]

Morning from Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg

[@nikbull1258]

This is an orchestra performing highlights from Peer Gynt suite. I hope you have found a recording of this beautiful music from Grieg and love it as much as I do.😂