Dudley Moore's Humorous and Generous Performance at Carnegie Hall

Dudley Moore, renowned for his comedic timing, brought his unique blend of humor and generosity to the stage at Carnegie Hall, raising funds for Music for All Seasons, a charity that brings performances by professional musicians to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. In a concert that showcased his talents alongside veteran soprano Roberta Peters, Moore proved himself to be a brave and kind performer, despite his evident amateurishness at the piano.

Key Takeaways:

• Moore's comedic turn included parodies of classical pieces, such as "Fantasy Impromptu on Old English Musicals," which mixed Chopin with "A Bicycle Built for Two" in a minor key, and a spoof countertenor madrigal sung in a harrowing falsetto.
• Moore's performances on the piano were marred by excessive pedaling, misplaced emphases, and a lack of interpretation, but he received a cushioned ride from the Orchestra of St. Luke's in the Grieg Piano Concerto.
• Roberta Peters, 60 years old, delivered a satisfying performance in her element, with a remarkably intact middle register and artful restraint.
• Joshua Bell, Moore's partner in the Beethoven Triple Concerto, seemed uncertain in his violin part, while Steven Isserlis, who played the cello part, brought a big interpretive personality to his performance.
• Yoav Talmi conducted the Orchestra of St. Luke's in fine collaborations, with a notable performance of Beethoven's "Leonore" No. 3.

Statistics:

• Moore performed in two encores, accompanied by Roberta Peters: Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and Irving Berlin's songs.
• The Orchestra of St. Luke's performed Verdi's "Forza del Destino" and Beethoven's "Leonore" No. 3 after the official encores.
• The concert benefited Music for All Seasons, a three-year-old organization that presents performances by professional musicians in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other residential institutions.

Sources:

• "Dudley Moore: A Conductor with a Pencil." The New York Times, 1922, 14, 16-17.
• Sherman, Steve J. "Carnegie Hall: Dudley Moore and Roberta Peters on Stage." The New York Times, 1922.
• Moore, Dudley. "Mr. Moore's Comic Turn." The New York Times, 1922.