Steve Martin - The American String Quartet

[@meheuck]

At 1:27, Steve and the Quartet make a reference to ad copy from a then-popular mail order album called 120 MUSIC MASTERPIECES, which opened with "Strangers in Paradise" playing while British actor John Williams said, "I'm sure you recognize this lovely melody...but did you know that the original theme is from the Polovtsian Dance #2 by Borodin?" Basically, it was the equivalent of 80s kids and "Is that FREEDOM ROCK? Crank it up, dude!" or 90s kids and "Let me borrow your HEY LOVE classics?" "No my brother, you have to get your own."

[@johnatwell2753]

Oh do I remember this! I saw it when it was first broadcast. I scribbled "Bartók String Quartet" on a piece of paper, and resolved to find a recording of it later. However, Bartók wrote 6 quartets, and there was no way I could figure out which one they played. There was NO internet back then. Now I can do it! This is the Bartók String Quartet No. 4. The American String Quartet is Mitchell Stern and Laurie Carney, violins ; Daniel Avshalomov, viola (the guy talking); David Geber, violoncello. BTW Steve Martin actually enjoys this kind of music!

[@Legato914]

Correct

[@mikepulcinella]

This sketch turned me on to the music of Bartok. I was laughing but at the same time I was like, "What IS this music?? I have to hear more!"

[@johnatwell2753]

Exactly the same here! At the time I couldn't find a recording of ANY of Bartók's string quartets anywhere. It was much later that I heard and began to love Béla Bartók. To be sure, I had heard Concerto for Orchestra and Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, in passing... but it was after this that I took a deeper dive, so to speak.

[@MikePulcinellaVideo]

Good to know I wasn't the only one!

[@lilyangarside4706]

3:21 haha :) loved it!!!! Steve Martin is soooooo funny!

[@ENB1968]

Classic Steve Martin physical comedy...HILARIOUS!!! Thanks for posting!

[@Smileyface440]

LOVE steve martin :)

[@rmoseson]

fantastic!

[@couch63]

LOL when he comes out with the banjo

[@lorrainelager852]

I guess they rehearsed the skit with Steve Martin, but they seemed genuinely caught off guard and angry

[@lukvaes7120]

Too bad that this is reality.

[@Legato914]

so true