Victor Borge - Happy Birthdays

Victor Borge plays happy birthday in the style of different classical composers. From 1951.

[@renaissongsman]

Borge was a Danish immigrant escaping when the Nazis occupied the country & ending up in the US. He taught himself English by listening to the radio, etc. & used language as a platform for humor for the rest of his life. "It's your language, I'm just trying to use it", he often said. These little jokes were a constant feature of his comedic work; he could get away with it because the audience understood this, & also because he could turn right around & play the living heck outta Tchaikovsky.

[@ruthsalgado6775]

Interesting!

[@circlenostar]

Pure genius. The world needs to always remember this unique brilliant talent.

[@rafaelbarron504]

Where candonwload the sheets of these funny songs???

[@misstary13]

Yeah, and bring it back somehow

[@mathewfranco3211]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Totally agree ✅

[@roynewman3512]

​@@rafaelbarron504⁸8ⁿ p😊

[@PBMusiko]

That Shostakovich one was pure comedy gold. XD

[@thisiszaphod]

I've never heard Shostakovich, but I think I trod in some once.

[@Checkmate1138]

Its actually pretty spot on for Shostakovich haha

[@petrus7977]

It sounded JUST as Shostakovich also

[@blonda.bacoviana]

I'd watch it 100 times and still laugh!

[@blackmage1276]

Very Shostakovich lmao

[@historiclift27]

I saw Victor Borge live in Galveston on his 90th birthday tour. He did a variation of this routine only the story he told was different. He dreamed he went to heaven and each composer gave him their masterpiece. I remember it took me a while to realize that Happy Birthday was so cleverly hidden in each piece. I laughed so hard at that performance it hurt. Never before or since have I encountered anything or anyone that funny.

[@johndenicola6173]

historiclift27 yes, Victor Borge was a genuous, and his comedy is timeless. And let us not forget he was the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize !

[@jrexx2841]

What year?

[@annek1226]

He received the award in 1942.

[@dorindraghici348]

@@annek1226 That's not correct, 1940 to 1942 Nobel Prizes were cancelled due to World War II

[@dorindraghici348]

@@johndenicola6173 Found no refernce about it anywhere.

[@normanbyng3515]

Was ready to go out for the evening,when this act appeared on the tv....1962/3.... with no video or modern gizmos I realised if I didn’t see this,I would never get another chance! Stayed in and enjoyed his music and humour,been a fan ever since! Still watching, lol

[@BravoSusan]

I remember seeing this as a child. Sooooooooooooooo funny!! What a genius he was. In his later life, he toured and came to my city. The auditorium was only about half full. He looked around and said, 'if I had known there would be so few of you, we could have done this in my hotel room' and brought the house down with laughter. I still miss him.

[@misstary13]

If victor lived in our day, he'd be one popular KZbinr and musical comic

[@annek1226]

Despite the fact that he has passed, he still is a UTube star!

[@geraldhood5367]

He was the funniest comedian ever and he could PLAY the piano

[@TomBarrister]

This is from Borge's short-lived TV show. Unfortunately, much of the audience in the studio wasn't musically savvy and didn't understand most of the jokes. Borge had much better success (over 75 years worth) in concert, where most of the audience was familiar with the composers and music and thus better understood and appreciated the parodies.

[@peace-now]

People thought it was funny, even though they didn't understand the subtleties. I saw Victor on the telly as a child, and really enjoyed it.

[@victorosunbunmi1179]

You need to be musically inclined to appreciate his jokes.. More reason sometimes they should laugh or jeer, there will be silence.. Ignorance

[@alysmarcus7747]

@@peace-now i did know about music - a thirst for all i could learn from as early as possible - my Grandmother took me to see him in concert in Ottawa when i was young - we met - very very nice man - talked to me for a while and signed my album

[@peace-now]

@@alysmarcus7747 Great story. It is a lesson to all young children that these meetings are important. It connects us through the ages. As an exampled, my dad was taught by a nun who actually knew and spoke to Bernadette!

[@quattro610]

It is rare that a person comes along and displays such a talent and takes what he knows and loves and makes something unique. I cannot think of another performer that used something and turned it in such a craft , such and art to entertain. there are so many wonderful artists, singers , bands etc but what Victor Borge did was truly magical and unique. a delight and joy to watch him perform. He had true talent.

[@user-tp8gv3or1j]

Here is another performer - Dudley Moore kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp2WmaRqfJacftU

[@samhawkins4952]

He reminds me a little of Austrian composer and comedian Georg Kreisler who could also play the piano beautifully. He made amazing but morbid dark humorous songs and was way ahead of his time.

[@royandjacqueline1294]

@@user-tp8gv3or1j We love Dudley Moore. He is a master at the piano and so very CUTE. You will also love this Absolutely fantastic! Nicole Pesce, 2011. Comedienne pianist. How to play Happy Birthday like Beethoven Chopin Mozart Bach Liszt... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZK9p5h-l910j9U Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Erin go Bragh 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 🥰🇯🇲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🕊️🔥✝️

[@bonitobonita9263]

I think you might love Tom Lehrer too

[@realityhitsmehardbro]

The last 16 seconds of this is priceless.

[@rebekahhesketh1220]

I sadly never got to see this musical genius live, but I have the DVD collection! Love him!

[@erikingmundson]

I bet Mozart would have loved it. He probably could have written several of his own versions on the spot.

[@imdeaded]

So glad we can enjoy this performer for generations to come.

[@lisakirk605]

Havent seen Mr. Borge since I was a little girl !!! SOHHHHHHHHH hilarious & brilliant & versatile & unique ! 😂😂😂❤

[@ceceliahayslip56]

I grew up listening to Victor Borge, pure genius. Such talent, sublime performer.

[@asinicw9906]

why doesn't this have.. like, 5 million views?

[@mckavitt13]

Take out the "like"... unnecessary & irritating as all get out.

[@wesleybuckwalter2558]

Brilliant. He offers entertainment to those who know the artists and to those who don't with the worlswide familiar tune of, "Happy Birthday." It's not often you see such incredible classically trained talent reach a general audience

[@BartBassist]

In order- Tchaikovsky Piano Conc No 1; Chopin Polonaise 'Military' (Op.40); Brahms Lullaby; generic Wagner (possibly Ring Cycle); Beethoven Moonlight Sonata; Strauss- Blue Danube; generic fiddly Mozart Sonata (compare Sonata in C, K.330, 1st movt); Irving Berlin- Alexander's Ragtime Band; generic Shostakovitch

[@robertstorlind2302]

James Bartholomew I'd say the Wagner parody is based on Tannhäuser

[@benji6628]

James Bartholomew what about the Bach one, I can't find it's name.

[@nathanfrancisco6974]

There isn't a Bach one, just a joke about Johann Strauss. Because of the old recording quality and the fact that he says Sebastian in between Johann and Strauss as a joke, it sounds like he might mean Bach.

[@TomBarrister]

@@robertstorlind2302 Yes, it's from Tannhäuser.

[@redrose37128]

I listen to this every year on my birthday! I miss him so much!

[@Alu10000]

Borge = GENIUS

[@1stapproach]

70 years after the recording, this still makes me laugh!!

[@shanekearns5911]

If anyone needs a good "belly laugh", Victor Borge. Absolute brilliance!!

[@georgeisaak5321]

even when he is acting with "funny ways" his fingers make miracles . You can only admire such a talent !

[@mckavitt13]

Agreed, but isn't it rather his mind which makes those miracles?

[@CahillandDelene]

I've always LOVED Victor Borge! I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert in about 1972! He is STILL brilliant to all of us!

[@chrispbaconburger]

CahillandDelene that must have been quite impressive and special :)

[@HuangShang010]

You are so lucky,that year i didn't even exist...

[@csutak40]

I can not believe, but there are people who have never heard of him! I once shared a video of his on FB and a friend asked "he is quite good! Relative of yours?"

[@mariaruskova6054]

Genious! I love gargles like this with the pianoл

[@roxroe6731]

His ingenuity sure is a treasure. Have not seen a comedian that can actually play the piano and on top of it, can improvise from different known composers style. Love the mozart variation.

[@csmihaly]

I'm late from work, watching this... Unbelievable genius.

[@iartistdotme]

I'm 76 and enjoyed watching him on TV as a child. I most remember when a dog came on stage while he was playing and peed on the piano leg. Still seems funny to me. He was a musical genius!

[@kyawkyawwin1]

The word genius is overused, but this gentleman truly was one.

[@CziffraTheThird]

Its almost frightening how high of a virtuoso caliber this man was actually on. Incredible. If you are one also seriously pursuing the instrument you would really understand.

[@LPtxgranna]

His brilliance is incomparable!

[@blackmage1276]

These were spot on

[@luisgomez7173]

This to me is where KZbin is great! When I was growing up I would see him on PBS specials for the most part but he was always with gray hair. Now I get to see mr. Borga at his prime.

[@refich]

Always a favorite of my mother and me. She could play the piano, too, and once made a living by demonstrating sheet music in a department store back when that was a thing.

[@jeviljuice1633]

The charisma on this man is astronomical

[@CraigSutMusic]

This is just wonderful, incredible and so funny. It’s something I imagine Mozart would have done to other composers in his day. Victor Borge is a genuine funny guy and so very talented.

[@G6JPG]

It _was_ done - sort of, and I'm not sure of the era. Some chap wrote a little theme, and sent it to various composers around in his day, asking them to arrange it at send it back. Several did (including one who sent back lots!). I think he might have been called Goldberg - certainly the Goldberg variations are a known thing in one composers oeuvre. Of course, without the Borge humour. (Do look out the Pesce version, too - she has a twist in the tail - the _very_ drunk Mozart version - that Borge does not!)

[@the3filmers393]

I guess, Miles Forman, who directed Amadeus the movie in 1984, got the inspiration for the main character by this Victor Borge.

[@mckavitt13]

He probably did!

[@Alu10000]

The Shostakovich version made me fall from the chair

[@MozartianObsessor]

I really like the Beethoven version! It's quite beautiful

[@ninohideki]

That variation on the theme of Mozart RULESSSS!!!! LOL! Made my dae!

[@diogovicente2770]

Mozart, perfect, just perfect!!

[@JossRoss]

What a master. Not only a great pianist tecnically but also a great composer. A complete musician, and a brilliant humorist

[@SELMER1947]

Phenomenal pianist, humorist, artist !!!!!!

[@hsab5927]

2019 watching and enjoying... nothing can compare to him!

[@FootloosePresents]

thanks for this...am sending to my little sister for her birthday...i was her twinkletoes and she my accompanist and we loved borge. so funny i fell off my chair. ma

[@XlovesR]

What a genius! Extremely musical and knowledgable for a comedian. Wonderful improvisation of the birthday song and the works of Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Brahmas, Wagner, Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart, Irving Berlin, and Shostakovich. I enjoy Beethoven and Shostakovich the best! (Guess he did not really like Wagner)

[@jeddonaghey3713]

Probably didn't like Wagner because he was Hitler's favourite composer

[@HallieB]

+Xue Li He was a child prodigy and concert pianist before he turned to comedy. He said he was too nervous on stage to continue as a strictly serious musician.

[@FlamingCockatiel]

Just put this on a friend's timeline for a birthday. I wish the volume were higher, because this is great stuff. Chopin and Shostakovich both tops.

[@vesteel]

I want the Shostakovich one to be longer

[@Lau8]

I LOVE VICTOR BORGE!!! ♥ Victor is the best artist!!

[@Laudon1228]

A few weeks ago I came upon a YT video of a woman pianist playing in Arizona, doing basically this same thing. I should have know Borge did it first. Though she put a spin on the end of her version that was really quite delightful.

[@Laudon1228]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWiYmIyehKmGZq8

[@karenpeterson2698]

Yes, Nicole Pesce who does her own thing with Happy Birthdays.

[@royandjacqueline1294]

@@karenpeterson2698 We've been enjoying her today. She is top class. 2011. Comedienne pianist. How to play Happy Birthday like Beethoven Chopin Mozart Bach Liszt... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZK9p5h-l910j9U Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Erin go Bragh 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 🥰🇯🇲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🕊️🔥✝️

[@beatrizcosta191]

magnifico!!!

[@AaronHahnStudios]

Of all the Hearts to have beaten in Earths history, THIS Gentleman's heart beat well.

[@d0minicting]

when he did mozart. am i the only one who got chills cause he imitates perfectly the one in Amadeus filmed several years later

[@Be.fair.to.all.people_]

d0minicting it is the other way round. Amadeus copied Borge

[@MooPotPie]

33 years later

[@user-wb7ez9ud4p]

Perfect skill + perfect stage performance, bravo.

[@ElisabettaVS]

Looooved the Schostakovich one!

[@rikidik5352]

Love this, Thanks for sharing 👍!

[@KKumokun]

He's an adorably, funny genius at any age!

[@dodik1705]

מושלם, ואפשר להקשיב לזה כל היום

[@chrisvoiceactingvoiceover1431]

Magnificent pianist....

[@kenzeier2943]

He’d have been the hit of any house party

[@pikarissima]

he's soooooo f***** awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@treblec4me710]

Stellar ! ☆ Thx for the EPIC u.l. ( :

[@katherinewang8995]

That's the best way to play the piano!!!

[@David-R.]

I HATE that he passed!!! He was a genius, a great comedian and musician!!

[@GothicKin]

I can't thank you enough, I fell in love with this piece. Pollini, nice choice ;)

[@ClipontheEar]

If only he had included his J.S. Bach ‘Happy Birthday’ parody in this wonderful performance. I once spent some hours transcribing the recording see how he did it.

[@ricarleite]

I want the Philip Glass version. Ha. Ha. Happy. Happy. Bir. Bir. Birthday. One. Two. One. Two.

[@zzausel]

8.18 made my day.

[@ElisabettaVS]

That's absolutely great!!! Haha! He's a genius!

[@gcp467]

beautiful!! what talent!! AND FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@PeCisMGF]

I was finding this answer for years, thank you so much ^^

[@rawpotatofella9654]

Pure genius. Perfect

[@ninijaparidze]

unforgettable man!!!

[@dianadomingues9285]

Simply Brilliant

[@PeCisMGF]

Thank you so much ^^

[@oliverr.5167]

amazing,bravo.... wooow

[@JoseAntonio-ww3qi]

Simplemente genial, maravilloso. Gracias Dios por esta maravillosa persona que mandaste a este mundo.

[@brookebodden6248]

Brilliant!

[@joshuapianist]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTOR BORGE!

[@MrRobertZ]

Brilliant. Borge is a legend.

[@velimirakaraspasova6376]

Respect ❤

[@ggatakki]

Вдохновенно!!!

[@tiborbakti9155]

This man was brilliant!

[@290wayne]

Amazing

[@frigoh]

BRILLIANT!!

[@usaneebeilles9510]

❤ 7 Sep,2023

[@andreacroci8405]

Pure genius!

[@taniaiorio]

Grande!!!!

[@GREGKEYES777]

Amazing talent. Think I have watched everything that has been recorded of him ever posted.

[@Lorfo]

Jesus, so hilarious! Always gets me. Every freakin' time.

[@MsBoldur]

Incredible.

[@houseaccount4746]

Why would anybody dislike this? hahahahaaaaa so great!

[@MozartianObsessor]

Mozart version is fun too! Love it!

[@swaroov9236]

The first meme creator

[@Kinor7]

GENIOUS!

[@mozartsmusicblog]

This is great. Victor Borge was such a genius. My favorites are Mozart and Shostakovich...add scales and trills and it's Mozart...and his Shostakovich is simply perfect! :-D

[@Achilles-xw8xh]

Ahah too much funny and awesome!!!

[@cowzilla8]

As funny as this may seem, this is also GENIUS!!!

[@RockyFretz]

You should turn on cc. The closed captions are so funny! Love this !

[@ashbridgeindustries380]

Absolutely nailed the Shostakovich version!