I remember seeing Ed Grimley on SNL repeats and he was dancing erratically to a rather staccato violin piece that sounded like repeated shrieks. Does anyone happen to know the name of this piece? Many thanks.
I don’t remember that particular sketch, but violins that sound like “repeated shrieks” might be Bernard Herrmann’s score for Psycho.
Well, no, they weren’t shrieks like that…it was rather melodic as it was erratic, and they descended and rose throughtout the piece; it was almost whimsical.
Could it have been the theme to Zorba the Greek?
The theme to Zorba the Greek is always played on a zither.
Could it be Puffin’ Billy, the title theme from the Captain Kangaroo show?
No, I don’t think it was that either – this sounded like it might have been a violin concerto based upon a mad scene from an opera.
It was a rather angry sounding, tension filled and somber piece…and here’s Ed dancing wildly and cheerfully (with that goofy grimace on his face) when he’s interrupted by a knock on the door. I forget the rest of the skit until he invites his guest to dance along, and, after a beat, he puts on the record and they both dance in that herky-jerky manner.
I’d like to thank all participants in this thread for helping; music is a big part of my life, and having these songs identified means quite a bit to me. IIRC, Walloon, I think you’ve helped me before… 
Joe K, I don’t know the name of that piece, but it is a “real” piece of music, that is classical music piece such as a violin concerto. I want to say that the composer is Russian, but I really don’t know. It’s a piece that my Mom would have known. 
And now you’ve got me curious as to what it actually is, so I’m going to keep checking back. I know someone will find the answer.
A-ha, now I remember the SNL sketch. It was originally broadcast on Feb. 2, 1985. Ed Grimley’s apartment neighbor Miss Malone was played by Tina Turner.