Borge, << BAWR guh, >> Victor (1909-2000), was a Danish-born pianist and humorist. He gained international popularity for his solo concerts that blended music with satire and sophisticated comedy. In his performances, Borge sat at the piano, playing classical music and making humorous and witty comments to the audience.
Borge was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. His real name was Borge Rosenbaum. He began to study music in Denmark at the age of 5 and appeared as a concert performer from 1922 to 1934. In 1934, Borge appeared in a musical revue, displaying his talent for combining music with humor. During the 1930’s, he became one of the most celebrated entertainers in Scandinavia.
Borge settled in the United States in 1940 and became a U.S. citizen in 1948. He starred on several variety programs on radio during the 1940’s and early 1950’s. He also performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras and conducted such notable orchestras as the London Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Borge’s one-man shows on Broadway were major hits and received a number of awards.
