The funniest ever performances of classical music

Think classical music is a bit serious? Take a look at these hilarious performances of some of the great works of the classical repertoire and think again….

Vivaldi: Summer from the Four Seasons, performed by Salut Salon

One of the most exciting moments in the Four Seasons is turned into a hilarious competitive foursome. Look out for the moment when Vivaldi gives way to Mozart’s Piano Sonata No.16 in C.

Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture, performed by the Melodica Men

The Melodica men have made many hilarious classical musical videos, but there is something about the contrast between the bombast of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 and these quirky instruments that makes this irresistible.

In the style of Benjamin Britten: Dudley Moore Performs Little Miss Britten.

One for the connoisseurs. Not a performance of a real piece by Benjamin Britten, but if you know his music, the mimicry is uncanny….

Beethoven: ‘Pathetique’ Sonata No.8 and ‘Moonlight’ Sonata No. 14, ‘performed’ by Rowan Atkinson.

Rowan Atkinson brings the art of mime to a performance of two works by Beethoven, with predictably brilliant results.

Rossini: William Tell Overture (and more), performed by Victor Borge

Very few people could mess around on a piano like Victor Borge. Here’s one hilarious clip, which begins with his backwards interpretation of Rossini’s William Tell Overture…

Mozart ‘Come Scoglio’ from ‘The Marriage of Figaro’, performed by Lore Lixenberg (text by Rainer Hersch)

Lore Lixenberg performs this great aria by Mozart, apparently unaware that the translation of it into English is not quite as accurate as might be expected…

A classical medley, performed by Rainer Hersch and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

What better way to finish than with a medley of classical works, including Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Leroy Anderson’s 'The Typewriter,’ Strauss II’s ‘Pizzicato Polka’ and Blue Danube Waltz, Delibes’ 'Flower Duet’ and Strauss I’s ‘Radetzky March,’ all overlain with the inimical comedy of stand-up and musician Rainer Hersch.