To build intrigue, the accompanist may be billed as an android, caveman, confirmed serial killer who is shortening his prison sentence through a musical community-service program, or all of the above. Therefore, it is necessary for the accompanist to play from music sheets of binary code, create music by striking the keys with an oversized faux-wooden club, and play with ankles and wrists cuffed.
Some of my singing engagements take place late at night, in the homes of strangers, without audiences or music, and may appear to be elaborate art or jewel heists.
Victor Borge and Şahan Arzruni perform Liszt’s Second Hungarian Rhapsody:
Victor has just finished conducting at one of his 80th birthday concerts and the crowd reaction was so good that the violinist, Anton Kontra, suggests an encore. No encore was planned but Monti’s Czardas, which Victor had heard before BUT HAD NEVER PLAYED, is suggested. Nevertheless, the two go at it and put on quite a show.
It’s worth spending half an hour on Youtube looking at his stuff – it’s all brilliant.