Victor Borge could turn a classical performance into a comedy routine without sacrificing the music—and his rendition of Vittorio Monti’s “Czardas” with violinist Anton Kontra is a delightful example. Reportedly an unplanned encore, the performance finds Borge accompanying a piece he had heard but had never played before. With Kontra leading the way, Borge improvises at the piano, turning musical surprises into comic gold through wonderfully expressive reactions and playful exchanges. As the violin’s pace accelerates, the fun builds alongside the virtuosity. Beneath the laughter is remarkable musicianship: two gifted performers listening, responding and making the moment their own. It’s a reminder that Borge’s greatest trick was making extraordinary talent look like wonderfully good fun.
