Classical Music is generally considered serious music, except for the occasional music joke as with Mozart - "Ein Musikalischer Spaß" K522 - Mov 1/4. But life is too short not to add a certain amount of humor into a classical arena. So here are a few examples of humor in a classical vein.
Itzhak Perlman and Peter Schickele (Part 2)
Itzhak Perlman and Peter Schickele mix it up in a hilarious duet at a Boston Pops Concert with John Williams conducting. Part 1 is mostly the setup, with Peter Schickele expounding on the life of P.D.Q. Bach, "the 21st of Johann Sebastian Bach's 20 children."
Part 2 is the real gem however that shows off Perlman's violin brilliance and perhaps a heretofore unexpected comedic genius.
Victor Borge and Marilyn Mulvey - part one
Victor Borge and Marilyn Mulvey - part two
I never understood how Marilyn Mulvey could complete these sketches without cracking up.
The Danish crown prince of humor as always is in fine form.
Igudesman & Joo - Mozart Bond
Igudesman & Joo are a duo comprising classical musicians, Aleksey Igudesman and Richard Hyung-ki Joo, whose shows combine comedy with classical music and popular culture. They aim to make classical music accessible to a wider and younger audience.
Quartet PaGAGnini - Pachelbel Cannon in D, by Pagagnini
The PaGAGnini quartet are:
Eduardo Ortega - Violin
Fernando Clemente - Violin
Ara Malikian - Violin
Gartxot Ortiz - Cello
Spike Jones & the City Slickers - William Tell Overture
There was no music that Spike and his Slickers were not prepared to butcher, in a great way.
Argument to Beethoven's 5th
No cue cards, no teleprompters, and no second takes--legendary funnyman Sid Caesar pioneered live television sketch comedy with his 1950s sitcoms Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. This classic sketch is "Argument to Beethoven's 5th," Sid Caesar and Nanette Fabray play a married couple in a argument with pantomimed action and the dialogue is classic music.
