Humor in classical music

American musician (1940–1993)

A scherzo (, , ; plural scherzos or scherzi), in western classical music, is a short composition – sometimes a movement from a larger work such as a symphony or a sonata. The precise definition has varied over the years, but scherzo often refers to a movement that replaces the minuet as the third movement in a four-movement work, such as a symphony, sonata, or string quartet. The term can also refer to a fast-moving humorous composition that may or may not be part of a larger work.

Danish comedian and pianist (1909–2000)

British duo, Victorian-era theatrical partnership

American soprano, renowned for her lack of musical skill and singing ability (1868–1944)

musical suite by Camille Saint-Saëns.

secular cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach

symphony by Joseph Haydn

symphony by Joseph Haydn

opéra-bouffe in three acts

opera genre

American composer, musical educator, and parodist (1935-2024)

American composer (born 1938)

A quodlibet (; Latin for "whatever you wish" from quod, "what" and libet, "pleases") is a musical composition that combines several different melodies—usually popular tunes—in counterpoint, and often in a light-hearted, humorous manner.

canon by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

American composer (1891–1977)

opera by Dmitri Shostakovich

American composer, voice actor, and arranger (1891–1972)

piano sonata written by Beethoven

tone poem written in 1894–95 by Richard Strauss

one-movement harpsichord sonata composed by Domenico Scarlatti

funny performance piece for two sopranos

Canadian composer (1948–1983)

German close harmony ensemble

Argentine Comedy Musical Group

tone poem by Richard Strauss

composition generally of humorous or satirical intent in which turns of phrase or other features characteristic of another composer or type of composition are employed and made to appear ridiculous

composition by W. A. Mozart

aria from the opera Il barbiere di Siviglia by Gioachino Rossini

1934 film music and orchestral suite

YouTube comedy duo and classical musicians

fictitious composer invented by musical satirist Peter Schickele

symphony by Joseph Haydn

satirical cantata by Dmitri Shostakovich

piano rondo by Beethoven

British singer and comedian (1911-2006)

Slovenian composer

comedy string quartet

German-born British musical humourist (1925-1959)

category of joke directed towards viola and viola players

British composer (1910–1963)

Ladishah (also spelled Ladi Shah or Laddi Shah) is a storytelling musical genre originated in Jammu and Kashmir with its roots in traditional and humorous folk singing originally sung by minstrels while locally wondering from one place to another. It is usually sung in Kashmiri language to express anguish or to entertain people in a rhythmic form primarily revolves around political, social and cultural issues in the form of ballad or melodious satire. It is identified when an entertainer raises their concerns in the form of humorous and melody singing without a voice break at some occurrences.

composition for piano by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

composition by Erik Satie

musical comedy duo