Main content

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.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 May 2022 16:30
BBC Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

The Musical Recycling Plant

Next

Royal Music

See all episodes from The Listening Service

Music Played

  • Malcolm Arnold

    The Belles of St. Trinians - suite from the film

    Performer: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Rumon Gamba.
    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN-9851.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Die Zauberflote - singspiel in 2 acts K.620

    Performer: Florence Foster Jenkins. Performer: Cosmé McMoon.
    • RCA.
    • GD-61175.

  • Michael Flanders and Donald Swann

    Flanders and Swann: Ill Wind

    • EMI.
    • CDP 797466.

  • 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.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    8 Humoresques Op.101 for piano

    Performer: Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians.
    • ASV.
    • CDAJA 5339.

  • Bill Bailey

    Bill Bailey: Das Hokey Cokey

    Performer: Bill Bailey.
    • Not on Label.
    • GB11001CD.

  • Victoria Wood

    Victoria Wood: Barry and Freda (live)

    Performer: Victoria Wood.
    • Parlophone UK.
    • 5099930614154.

  • Flight of the Conchords

    Flight of the Conchords: Fou de fafa

    • Sub Pop Records.
    • 098787071566.

  • William Walton

    Facade - an entertainment for reciter and chamber ensemble vers. definitive

    Performer: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.
    • Decca.
    • 470508-2.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Quartet in E flat major Op.33 No.2 (Joke) for strings

    Performer: Doric String Quartet.
    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN 20129(2).

  • Carl Nielsen

    Symphony no. 6 FS.116 (Sinfonia semplice)

    Performer: San Francisco Symphony. Conductor: Herbert Blomstedt.
    • DECCA.
    • 460 9882.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 4 in B flat major Op.60

    Performer: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 0724355744555.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 9 in D minor Op.125 (Choral)

    Performer: London Classical Players. Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 0724356249059.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony no. 94 in G major H.1.94 (Surprise)

    Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Georg Solti.
    • DECCA.
    • 475 551-2.

  • Joseph Haydn

    Andante [Symphony no.94, 'Surprise'], arr. Donald Swann for orchestra [Hoffnung concert]

    Performer: Hoffnung Symphony Orchestra.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 0077776330259.

  • VICTOR BORGE

    Victor Borge: Unstarted Symphony

    Performer: Victor Borge.
    • Pegasus Entertainment.
    • 885686912119.

  • Tim Minchin

    Tim Minchin: F sharp

    Performer: Tim Minchin.
    • Laughing Stock.
    • AW5002359.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Humoresque (Op.101 No. 7) in G flat major, arr. Kreisler for violin and piano [orig. piano]

    Performer: Anne‐Sophie Mutter. Performer: Ayami Ikeba.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 479 1060.

  • 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.

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Falstaff - commedia lirica in 3 acts

    Performer: Bryn Terfel. Performer: Thomas Hampson. Performer: Adrianne Pieczonka. Performer: Daniil Shtoda. Performer: Dorothea Röschmann. 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 17:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Fri 27 May 2022 16:30
    BBC Radio 3

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Tom Service poses a very simple question (with a not-so-simple answer).

Six of the world's most extreme voices

Six of the world's most extreme voices

From babies to Mongolian throat singers: whose voice is the most extreme of all?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How Schoenberg opened a new cosmos for composers and listeners to explore.

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Bass is everywhere, but why do we enjoy it? Join Tom Service on a journey of discovery.

Watch the animations

Watch the animations

Join Tom Service on a musical journey through beginnings, repetition and bass lines.

When does noise become music?

When does noise become music?

We like to think we can separate “noise” from “music”, but is it that simple?

Podcast