Victor Borge - Performance at the White House

Victor Borge performs his musical comedy routine at the White House. At the show he notices all the pianos in the White House play the same tune, and has trouble playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1.

[@ameyelias8181]

Met him at an airport and said “I love your humor” ! He smiled and said “thank you” and we went on our way.

[@senzanome7801]

A real gentleman.

[@kerryburns6041]

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." Victor Borge.

[@ranyiballois8925]

2021 and he's still a legend .

[@robertczebotar7753]

...and he will be!!!

[@BulentBasaran]

He makes Tchaikovsky's 1st (and yes there are the much less famous 2nd and 3rd) look so easy, which is not the case!

[@fedd2000]

Absolutely

[@infernalshaman4068]

I can confirm, 2022 and still a legend

[@novi4ok483]

We are people, and are gonna "die", but there are people that created something that will live forever, he is one of them!

[@JacGBoots1]

"...one number is clair de lune and the other one.......isn't ! .." Haha

[@davidrotter3862]

This man is so utterly brilliant, it is sick... To have that skill and then to make fun of all the stuffy traditions of classical in order to bring laughter to people is one of the greatest gifts that a person can give. A one of a kind genius period!

[@TheAngelOfDeath01]

Yeps. You nailed it, sir.

[@This_RuthIsOnFire]

That’s his absolute beauty ❤️

[@janfogel7127]

He never thought he was goid enough to be a classical pianist and that is why he became a comedian as well.

[@henningandersen9027]

...I think he said he would always be too nervous to make errors as a mere classical pianist..

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

True words !!

[@OperaJH]

One of the greatest pianists ever who pretended he wasn’t. Just a comedic and musical genius! The one and only Victor Borge!

[@DualThunder]

He hides his incredible skill and technique behind his amazing humour. I often forget or overlook the prodigal skill that this man had at the keyboard

[@EtopEtim]

‘Prodigious’, you meant? He was an adult, though.

[@TheOne-pq4ph]

@@EtopEtim he was a child prodigy

[@jaimemuir3384]

Was he? 😊

[@Jantsenpr777]

He was a consummate comedian, but notice that he was actually playing the beast that is Tchaikovsky's first concerto! He could play incredibly!

[@kraftpr]

As much as I always loved Mr. Borge's hilarious comedic performances, I've always wished I could have heard him play in concert during his "serious" days as a virtuoso pianist in Denmark. His comedic playing only gives us rare glimpses at what his playing must have been like in those days.

[@giovannisanseviero5726]

+kraftpr There must be some pieces around. I'd love to hear them!

[@hieple2587]

+hiep le Here u go

[@JLFAN2009]

+kraftpr Aren't there already enough *serious* pianists out there, who have given and give much to the world with what they do? By contrast, there never has been or ever will be another Victor Borge. Let's all be grateful that he was eventually able to find the niche he did.

[@sfield86]

+kraftpr /watch?v=_evCoEVaTQE

[@RADIOACTIVEBUNY]

I've only just discovered him and I immediately felt the same way. You can just tell he's an absolute master at playing, but sadly you never get to see it. Funny as all hell, but I hope there's something out there of him doing a full song.

[@maggiealena]

Victor Borge is sorely missed😢. Brilliant.

[@marigoldruff]

He ALMOST convinces you that he can't actually play the piano but then he goes and does a thing like that at 5:40 . What an absolute genius.

[@marigoldruff]

@@demooisteNAAM sorry, that is absolutely not true

[@gregorhellmundt9559]

@@demooisteNAAM yeah you are incredibly wrong. Borge toured the world as a concert pianist before becoming a comic.

[@rebekahhesketh1220]

His physical humor of falling off his bench or chair never gets old! 😂

[@peterberkowsky3613]

My Mom took me to see him on Broadway around 1955. He was quite entertaining, but it was always a little frustrating for her, because she wanted to hear him play a serious piece to completion, which he never did.

[@rened1232]

2:38 Absolutely HILARIOUS....licking his right hand fingers but turning the page with his left hand. Little bits of genius!!

[@Madscheva97531]

also an old newfie joke! LOL

[@THE-HammerMan]

@@Madscheva97531 Newfie is a joke unto itself. Like the Newfie hat. The hat with four flaps with arrows & N S E and W...so Newfies won't get lost.

[@roncantrell2836]

I caught that and roared! Such subtle humor

[@TheMadNatter]

KZbin is where we go to remember the legends

[@jeffbaer5851]

Just imagine being SO good, that simply being the best of the best of the best of classical pianists is TOO EASY.... and you think, "I'll combine it with stand-up comedy."

[@rackets001]

This was in 1953, 70 years ago! One of the best to do it. To think he was 44 by this time. I remember watching him as a kid and loving his act. Most of the same jokes for decades, but never got old!

[@brittanyneiswinger3561]

If you notice when he plays Strauss you can see the smirk before he plays the repeat tune lol. This guy was comedy gold. Never will be anyone like him again. Also this was back when even non musicians got the musical jokes. Love it lol

[@TheOne-pq4ph]

What is the repeat tune called?

[@edwardbutler6735]

Victor should be compulsive viewing for all who suffer from misery, instant cure. What a genius.

[@TinyFord1]

Here’s something I like about this comment. It has 118 likes in 4 years and not a single person pointing out that you clearly meant “compulsory” and not “compulsive”. They like the comment because they knew what you intended to say. The reason I like this is because it just goes to show that there is a certain portion of the internet that are still sensible and we are the lucky few to have found that part of the internet.

[@BOORAGG]

He took a real chance ruining those hands with that fall. Better stand-up comedy than most today and a genius on the keyboard. What talent.

[@annespry7588]

How I wish we had entertainment like this. What great performances he gave

[@gregnormal55.]

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day.. Stay Safe!

[@canvan8818]

I love Victor Borge. Always, he makes me smile and laugh. Silly yes, great, that too.

[@cliveosemanpoet568]

I've just discovered this absolute genius of a man thanks to two friends totally independently sharing clips of him because they thought I would like him. Absolutely wonderful

[@cameltanker1286]

Through his timeless humor he brought classical music to the masses.

[@torbj487]

I treasure the fact that I got to see him live. Checking up some dates, I guess it must have been in 1999, in Sweden (Linköping, to be precise). Totally amazing. On stage there's this 90-year-old man, still playing the piano really well, which just shouldn't happen. This 90-year-old man with total command of the most brilliant physical comedy, which ... I don't even know... And he did all these old jokes that must have been like over 60 years old because... well... um... he invented them more than 60 years previously. And he told them like I had never heard them before, ever! And how I laughed! Wow. Just wow.

[@edwarddeitch8886]

A comedic GENIUS! Timing, delivery, material beyond belief. And a great pianist besides.

[@pauljordan4452]

My grandpa's neighbour was Gene Deitch. Are you related?

[@jomcgrath9966]

He made the music look so easy to play. A true craftsman and musican

[@davidmann8254]

My god that was good. I’ve never realised how nuanced his performances are. Thanks for posting

[@gootube3526]

He is so funny! His work is as fresh and entertaining today as it was 55 years ago when this performance took place. Victor Borge will live on forever thanks to video clips like these. I've been laughing so hard I scared the dog. Thanks for posting, DocCaeruleus!

[@TimCizej137]

Is the dog okay?

[@EzraBufford]

He was silly and awesome all at the same time!

[@gerardvaughan1847]

He's beyond brilliant. A hard thing to live with, so he "mixed a little water with the wine". This is the first time I have ever seen him perform. Before that just a name. Seems that brilliant pianists turn to comedy, since I had such a friend/lodger in the late 70's.

[@giovannisanseviero5726]

Masterful talent!! 5:18 blows me away. Should make a great GIF

[@danielmads9160]

Then make it :)

[@howardsway782]

He was a grand master of comedy - what a lovely genius

[@pjf2675]

A comic Genius and a darn great pianist.

[@andrejkovacs8280]

Millions of people don't know what's that thing, unfortunately, I have to be one of them - Victor Borge 1950

[@LouisEmery]

That's a great formula for a joke.

[@andrejkovacs8280]

Yes, it is

[@saintleger858]

Extraordinaire pianiste avec tant d'humour et de gentillesse ! Un génie ! Merci !

[@v_it0797]

12 years later is the perfect time? I'm not complaining but next time a bit earlier please dear algorithm

[@ELCADAROSA]

With so many people at home during the pandemic, YT ran out of fresh & new, so had to bring out the greats from the archives! 😄

[@judithhand4987]

Gosh, he's fabulous. I still have a tape of his and am so glad that he's available on the internet as well. Laughter really is the best medicine.

[@kimjessen1825]

Masterful talent coupled with good ol' Danish humour. Classic. Thanks for sharing.

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

is this on dvd? At age 90 he came out on stage, took the microphone, and a puff of smoke came out of his mouth. the audience reacted and he said "Mexican Food".

[@davidevans3227]

Laugh out loud 😄

[@Rotebuehl1]

...and what an excellent musician he was

[@bpritchard6393]

@@davidevans3227ll loo p loo I I I I go

[@alexandrematos1112]

It doesn´t get better than this. Bravo.

[@spectrum7virkeytroni]

Like most people of my generation, I was introduced to him on The Electric Company. But as I grew up seeing his many television appearances (being a very non-accomplished piano player myself), I fell in love with his mix of humor and virtuosity.

[@autismcorner1]

An phenomenally talented, brilliant man. Absolute genius.

[@SimonHammelburg]

What agreat artist he was, Victor Borge. He left us with so many funny and beautiful recordings!

[@bettycogswell9851]

Victor was a comedic genius. He could make the piano sing. Love this guy. Wish he was still here..

[@thompsonsmith7798]

Hello Betty How are you doing today?

[@capitanfuturo594]

VICTOR BORGE WAS A GENIUS IN THE PIANO. ...AND A FUNNY GUY TOO !

[@chrisk8187]

You may already know that Mr. Borge was a serious concert pianist in Europe and performed with major orchestras before he accidentally went down the wrong path into humor (he never forgave himself). He also spoke no English in the beginning of his career. And I believe he had six children one of whom traveled with him and appeared on stage for his page turner routine. He also had a weekly evening nationally broadcast tv show during the '50s.

[@carmiafainstein7823]

Q.f

[@mortalclown3812]

Rest in paradise, Maestro. Beloved for all time. 🎹🎼🙋🌍✨❤️

[@tc228888]

Always makes me laugh out loud ...what a performer !!

[@aspinallsandy4810]

2022 and still a legend, Amazing talent, Love him

[@catherinebreitfeller669]

So true

[@johnferguson3801]

Victor was always brilliant!

[@jjbanzer]

Saw him in Louisville, Kentucky in the 1990s with the Louisville, Orchestra. Yes he was still going strong! What a performer!

[@fritzbickenbach592]

Morgen morgen, sind wir wieder allein

[@ilfarmboy]

never gets old

[@copferthat]

As near to comedy genius as you're going to get. A classical brilliance added to a crazy comic style, absolutely unique.

[@limodrengen]

I dont think there will ever be such a musical Genios again.

[@FDzerzhinsky]

There never was another superb musician who was this funny, or a comedian who played piano so brilliantly.

[@dareisnogod5711]

WRONG. I am a Genios, but I have always longed to be a Genius.

[@markmuldoon805]

He always will be a legend.

[@lafuerzaestaenlagente7822]

One word: GENIUS !!!

[@kattrakee]

He was surely one of a kind; so funny and yet so talented ♥️👍👍👍 Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎶🎵🎵🎵🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵🎶

[@gregnormal55.]

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day.. Stay Safe!

[@mlbrooks4066]

I'd rather watch these old videos of Victoria Borge than any of the "comedy" on TV or streaming today. Borge makes me laugh more than anybody now.

[@davidpiercy2898]

No one as good as Mr. Borge....actually a great pianist as well as fine comedian!!!

[@spiritualatheist1]

Repeating a posting from 9 years ago: Nominal Egg wrote: This is actually from an episode of The Abbott and Costello Show (the Colgate Comedy Hour). It wasn't actually taped at the White House...that's a ruse that's part of the skit. The show was celebrating Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration [Jan. 1953 -Mr. Goodman is Benny Goodman cracking up]. These shows are available on DVD, and contain classic material by comic geniuses! Repeating another posting: GracelynMusic wrote: 6 years ago Terrific. Some of you will be old enough to get the political humor of the piano which could only play "Mary Margaret Truman Was The Daughter of the Prez" at the beginning of the Eisenhower administration. What a whippersnapper!! C: The tune was "The Missouri Waltz" and the doggerel words were: Mary Margaret Truman is the daughter of the Pres She lives in the White House with her ugly mother Bess Her social rating is not worth debating For she is a member of Phi Beta Phi When her father Harry gets the gate in forty-eight Mary Margaret Truman will be left without a date She'll move to Missouri and work in a brewery So let's all drink beer! Ole'. Actually Mary Margaret Truman was a well-known performer and author. Check her out on YT.

[@jankerle58]

What a genious! This is the right atitude to the music, to life, to everything! Whish I couls be such positiv person!

[@tomwilliams8295]

Absolutey AMAZING Victor Borge !!!

[@darthflash6994]

He did more with the piano than I did with my entire existence.

[@joeschneider67]

no one ever like Mrs Victor. very well miss him. RIP in heaven

[@MTaufikZoelkifli]

He is amazing and genius!

[@TheSuperCommentGuy]

4:32 This piece is the theme from The Third Man by Anton Karas; he's doing a parody of the zither instrument.

[@ruthwishart8645]

As a young teenager in the 1960s l remember seeing Victor Borge play a duet with Leonid Hambro (l think) and swatting an imaginary fly with a fly swatter at the same time.... it was so funny l never forgot it! But could never find out who it was.....I’ve only recently discovered that it was this amazing man.... l would love to see that clip once again! I hope someone can post it !

[@thompsonsmith7798]

Hello Ruth How are you doing today?

[@skvakagud]

The one thing i'm truly proud of as a Dane (been from Denmark.).. We might have invented alot of great things, we might be leading in the production of X amount of things.. But he is the definition of Danish humor.. Ofcourse aclimated to international humour, but still.. And a comedian join people together, if we laugh together we forget about been mad at eachother. That's probably the most important thing we can do together, and one can do for others. Make people smile and laugh. :)

[@revfred2620]

skvakagud Agreed . . . laughter is the best medicine . . . except maybe not for diarrhea

[@hellshade2]

Adolph of Gant LOL!!

[@WoodyAllen123]

skvakagud Isn't he was jewish?

[@DDKRoblox]

Albert Khavinson And? Hebrews are all over the world my friend, including, but not limited to Denmark.

[@revfred2620]

Of course he's Jewish . . . why do you think he played so well . . . and his quick wit . . OY VEY!

[@Mike383HK]

I think he played with comedy out of a sense of boredom and wanting more out of the audience. he was a genius and he wanted to be self efacing. Kick the seriousness off the stage and make fun of himself. Maybe it helped him forget WW2. Who knows? Everyone is gone who could tell us. I just think he was very special. I will always remember that as a musician. I miss him on TV. Very special Saturday nights. I could never miss it.

[@SchlurmsOfficially]

I've heard he had serious stage fright but could get past it through comedy

[@Mike383HK]

@@SchlurmsOfficially I never knew that. Sounds logical.

[@erock8678]

2023 and he’s still a legend.

[@petergregory6069]

Ineptitude through the eyes of genius. Rare archive. Nice references from prchristman - thank you. Just off for more...

[@davidevans3227]

oh my word he is so funny so talented.. to do the things he says and does and get it all on point.. what a man.. thankyou so much 🙂

[@crassenti]

I will always love this man 🥰

[@judyhunt8360]

If he didn't have the amazing skill and gift of playing the piano the way he does, he wouldn't be able to fool around and make up peices as he goes along. He's a real scream !! What talent !!!

[@thompsonsmith7798]

Hello Judy How are you doing today?

[@MsSusanmary]

i saw him Melb Australia about XXXX years ago --- I never laughed so hard in my life at anything at all

[@anthony-om3iq]

40 years ago ?

[@djmocha7]

Good thing it wasn’t 30 years ago. I’d question whether it was him you were watching, or a guy who can use the 3rd pedal. “Who do they think I am?” -Victor B.

[@Liz-lz2dv]

Vielen Dank für Victor Borge , das ich das hier sehen kann.Victor Borge ist für mich ein perfektes Genie,ein wunderbarer Meister und ein vollkommener Magier seines Faches,der alles auf brillante Weise verzaubert . Lieben Dank und viele Grüße...

[@YbborUberAlles]

literal genius

[@TNT-km2eg]

Virtuoso who found most original and entertaining way to compensate for all those endless hours of practicing

[@gayathrigatamaneni2750]

when he almost fell, i laughed so hard i rolled on the ground!

[@georgeisaak5321]

That legend was the real deal , one of the kind entertainer and music genius !

[@robertcaffrey6097]

He was a very funny man and an absolute meastro on the piano.

[@chriswaldrop5641]

I love how he bows after he delivers a joke.

[@JenniferOxnard]

9:10 what an incredible, melodious talent presented by a very gifted man.

[@patriciajanemcgrath627]

He used me as a prop in London when I had a sneezing fit whilst sitting in the Royal Box. Hs stared up smiling and asked me to take take me time! SO embarrassing (I was only 12!) Lovely man. Such talent ❤😊

[@mizsparrow]

@MrHypnofan The long wooden strut that holds up the piano lid has a chunk that folds out (the gadget). You can raise the entire strut and have the lid up very high, or you can lay the main strut down, and just fold up that "gadget", and it is a smaller strut that holds the lid up just a little bit.

[@bjalilian]

Cant remember when was the last time i laughed and enjoyed sth this much, he is/was amazing!

[@christiangibbs1482]

Comedy, music, slapstick.... Pay close attention, kids: This is what genius looks like.

[@user-lz1pn8ih8k]

He was one of the best one of my favorites. God bless you Victor Borge.

[@PinkPanther4958]

The fall-board slam gets me every time

[@gregnormal55.]

Hello!!! How are you doing today, please pardon me for intruding into your privacy but I just wanted to know if you’re a fan ? Have a great day.. Stay Safe!

[@PinkPanther4958]

@@gregnormal55. I am a pianist myself and i discovered Victor Borge a few years ago. Found him absolutely hilarious and relatable. So i would say i am a fan yes.

[@gregnormal55.]

@@PinkPanther4958 Hey! That’s very good to know, I just can’t stop myself from listening to this song anytime am alone! If I may ask which of all his songs is your favorite? Have a great day… Stay Safe

[@vidya014]

Victor borge gave the comedian inspiration to Mr. Bean. Mr. Borge is the first Bean.

[@DP-zd8fr]

Absolute GENIUS...you gotta be so fucking good at your instrument that you can be funny at it.

[@gueronva]

Absolutely Loved This Genius

[@gman7774]

I can forgive that they skip 98% of one of my all time favorite and one of the most underrated pieces in music (Tchaikovsky‘s first concerto) because he is hilarious and I love him.

[@kimboss8721]

It's amazingwhat you can find onKZbin! Love it!

[@astralplays1359]

2023 and he is still a legend

[@mozxz]

I think I've seen 20 performances today with dear old Mr. Borge, and even as an old man, 40+ years after this was recorded , he stil does the exact same jokes and routines, people know and love him for it, and still find it funny, That little bit you pull out of the stick holding up the lid to the grand piano, and how millions of people don't know what it is, including himself, is quite the funny joke every time, as I have no clue what indeed it is for....

[@AG-oy4gh]

I’m 34 and just now discovering this incredible man.

[@paulwee7853]

Brilliant, skilful, humorous and so sleek...a great talent in music wizardry. Thank you sir for teaching us to distress and laugh.

[@kevinnolan1617]

Always a class act.

[@bsvenss2]

Pure genius!