Danny Kaye, Conductor

[Nick Armstrong]

Ms Frank holds a Chair in The Public Understanding of Comedy at The University of Oxford

I could never stand those films of his either

But I love that orchestra clip!

[PJPJ]

I can understand people not thinking DK was funny - or no longer thinking he's funny (ditto V Borge, who we adored in our non-musical family, along with the comedy performances of Harry Secombe): people's sense of humour differs and changes.

As a child I loved them both - adoration and love. And Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy...... I still enjoy listening to and watching them all though not as much by any means, and Danny Kaye the least despite his enormous talent. I did catch an hour on Danny Kaye narrated by Elliot Gould about a month ago on R2 - interviews with many who knew him - and it made fascinating radio.

[french frank]

But to be fair, the one that won did have some knowledge of musical theory.

Indeed. Though the 'judges' were clearly angling for another to win, with their 10/10 scores and fulsome praise. I don't think it would have done the music much of a favour, though I don't object to Goldie getting a commission for the children's Prom out of it. That was doing his musical 'thing', whereas conducting/emoting to a piece of classical music wasn't. And he didn't make people laugh, either - whereas S. Perkins was quite humorous, in addition to having an inkling as to what conducting was all about .

[amateur51]

Indeed. Though the 'judges' were clearly angling for another to win, with their 10/10 scores and fulsome praise. I don't think it would have done the music much of a favour, though I don't object to Goldie getting a commission for the children's Prom out of it. That was doing his musical 'thing', whereas conducting/emoting to a piece of classical music wasn't. And he didn't make people laugh, either - whereas S. Perkins was quite humorous, in addition to having an inkling as to what conducting was all about .

I wonder if the 'angling' was to do with the personalities/skills/abilities of Sue Perkins and Goldie or rather what/who they represent, particularly in the world of conducting classical music

[Franzl01]

I could not get tickets for a concert Danny Kaye did with the LSO at the Albert Hall. Apparently he conducted Cimarosa's Il Maestro di Capella with Geraint Evans singing and had an amazingly funny sword/baton fight. He was a special envoy (Ambassador at Large) for UNICEF and the proceeds of his concerts went to them. That was in the days when the USA witheld payments from UNICEF and UNESCO because they did not approve.

It was the LPO, and I sat behind the orchestra - fascinating, and it was all down in the players' parts! There was a lovely moment at the end when someone called from the audience; 'What about Ballin' the Jack?', and DK started the sing it, with the orchestra gradually busking it with him.

[Beef Oven]

salymap

You mentioned Victor Borge!

All is forgiven!

Ferretfancy see my post #4 if you like Victor Borge, I'm sure you'll know it!!

[Prommer]

What about his stick technique?

[kernelbogey]

Almost as good as his schtick!

[Tony Halstead]

VICTOR BORGE:
hmmm.... I played in 'his orchestra' a few times, about 30+ years ago.
He may well have come across to his audiences as a 'lovely guy' but the reality is that he was absolutely HORRIBLE as a conductor - treating his accompanying musicians as if they were the 'lowest of the low'.

[Nick Armstrong]

VICTOR BORGE:
hmmm.... I played in 'his orchestra' a few times, about 30+ years ago.
He may well have come across to his audiences as a 'lovely guy' but the reality is that he was absolutely HORRIBLE as a conductor - treating his accompanying musicians as if they were the 'lowest of the low'.

I never liked the man, gorn RIGHT orff him now!

What do you think of Danny Kaye's technique, then, waldy?

[amateur51]

VICTOR BORGE:
hmmm.... I played in 'his orchestra' a few times, about 30+ years ago.
He may well have come across to his audiences as a 'lovely guy' but the reality is that he was absolutely HORRIBLE as a conductor - treating his accompanying musicians as if they were the 'lowest of the low'.

I'm not at all surprised - I mean, have you seen that Amadeus fillum

[Ferretfancy]

Ferretfancy see my post #4 if you like Victor Borge, I'm sure you'll know it!!

Beef Oven

Shome Mishtake here, shurely ! I thought Victor Borge was completely unfunny, whereas Danny Kaye did have some high spots in his films
.

[Beef Oven]

Beef Oven

Shome Mishtake here, shurely ! I thought Victor Borge was completely unfunny, whereas Danny Kaye did have some high spots in his films
.

I liked it

[salymap]

I much prefer Flanders & Swann, Danny Kaye, Morecambe & Wise sketch with Mr preview, anything, to Victor Borge. He was so unfunny to watch I felt embarrassed for him. The entire audience fell about with laughter. He must be what is known as an acquired taste.

[kernelbogey]

I used (as a teenager) to find VB's sketches funny - e.g. the Mozart Opera (the tenor 'comes on in single file'; the soprano 'comes on in a single pile' etc) but reflecting on that now the humour seems cruel and crude, as humour often can be. Less sophisticated days, I guess.