Can music be funny?
Tom Service on the art of classical music comedy. And it's not necessarily all about timing - see also parody, pastiche, absurdities, incongruity, subverting of expectations and sometimes, just good old funny noises...
With musician and comedian Vikki Stone.
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Music Played
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Malcolm Arnold
The Belles of St. Trinians - suite from the film
Performer: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Philharmonic. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.- CHANDOS.
- CHAN-9851.
-
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Die Zauberflote - singspiel in 2 acts K.620
Performer: Florence Foster Jenkins. Performer: CosmΓ© McMoon.- RCA.
- GD-61175.
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Michael Flanders and Donald Swann
Flanders and Swann: Ill Wind
- EMI.
- CDP 797466.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ein Musikalischer Spass K.522 for 2 violins, viola, bass and 2 horns
Performer: The English Concert. Conductor: Andrew Manze.- HARMONIA MUNDI.
- HMU-807280.
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AntonΓn DvoΕΓ‘k
8 Humoresques Op.101 for piano
Performer: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians.- ASV.
- CDAJA 5339.
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Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey: Das Hokey Cokey
Performer: Bill Bailey.- Not on Label.
- GB11001CD.
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Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood: Barry and Freda (live)
Performer: Victoria Wood.- Parlophone UK.
- 5099930614154.
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Flight of the Conchords
Flight of the Conchords: Fou de fafa
- Sub Pop Records.
- 098787071566.
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William Walton
Facade - an entertainment for reciter and chamber ensemble vers. definitive
Performer: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.- Decca.
- 470508-2.
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Joseph Haydn
Quartet in E flat major Op.33 No.2 (Joke) for strings
Performer: Doric String Quartet.- CHANDOS.
- CHAN 20129(2).
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Carl Nielsen
Symphony no. 6 FS.116 (Sinfonia semplice)
Performer: San Francisco Symphony. Conductor: Herbert Blomstedt.- DECCA.
- 460 9882.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony no. 4 in B flat major Op.60
Performer: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.- Warner Classics.
- 0724355744555.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony no. 9 in D minor Op.125 (Choral)
Performer: London Classical Players. Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington.- Warner Classics.
- 0724356249059.
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Joseph Haydn
Symphony no. 94 in G major H.1.94 (Surprise)
Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Georg Solti.- DECCA.
- 475 551-2.
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Joseph Haydn
Andante [Symphony no.94, 'Surprise'], arr. Donald Swann for orchestra [Hoffnung concert]
Performer: Hoffnung Symphony Orchestra.- Warner Classics.
- 0077776330259.
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VICTOR BORGE
Victor Borge: Unstarted Symphony
Performer: Victor Borge.- Pegasus Entertainment.
- 885686912119.
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Tim Minchin
Tim Minchin: F sharp
Performer: Tim Minchin.- Laughing Stock.
- AW5002359.
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AntonΓn DvoΕΓ‘k
Humoresque (Op.101 No. 7) in G flat major, arr. Kreisler for violin and piano [orig. piano]
Performer: AnneβSophie Mutter. Performer: Ayami Ikeba.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- 479 1060.
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Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood: The Ballad of Barry and Freda (Live)
Performer: Victoria Wood.- Parlophone UK.
- 5099930614154.
-
Vikki Stone
Vikki Stone: Zoological Society: Marvin
Performer: Vikki Stone and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra.- Auburn Jam Records.
- (digital release).
-
Pierre Boulez
Structures - book 1 for 2 pianos
Performer: Aloys Kontarsky. Performer: Alfons Kontarsky.- UMG Recordings.
- 00602438165063.
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Giuseppe Verdi
Falstaff - commedia lirica in 3 acts
Performer: Bryn Terfel. Performer: Thomas Hampson. Performer: Adrianne Pieczonka. Performer: Daniil Shtoda. Performer: Dorothea RΓΆschmann. Performer: Larissa Diadkova. Performer: Stella Doufexis. Performer: Enrico Facini. Performer: Berlin Radio Choir. Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- 471-194-2.
Broadcasts
- Sun 22 May 2022 17:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
- Fri 27 May 2022 16:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
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Podcast
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The Listening Service
An odyssey through the musical universe, presented by Tom Service