Posted on 11/26/2021 2:44:13 PM PST by lowbridge
Stephen Sondheim, the dominant voice in American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century and the composer with the most Tony Awards, has died. He was 91.
His shows, from the comedic “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” to the ground-breaking “Company” to the operatic “Sweeney Todd” to the experimental “Pacific Overtures,” transformed the Broadway musical stage, influencing and advancing the medium. Sondheim, a protege of Oscar Hammerstein II, slowly moved away from that melodic tradition to incorporate complex and dissonant themes and structures of 20th century classical music into his works.
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Brilliant man, so sorry he’s dead.
Everything I know about Steven Sondheim is from watching “Smokey and the Bandit”. Otherwise, I never would have heard of him.
But it was originally written for Glynis Johns who created the role of Desiree on Broadway in the musical A Little Night Music.
While perfect for the role, Glynis had difficulty with sustaining notes, so Sondheim tailored the song to her capabilities.
Which didn’t stop Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, and others from immediately recording cover versions of the song. That Sondheim wrote a song restricted by the capabilities of his singer, that was so beautiful and powerful many and more talented singers were compelled to record it, is a testament to his genius.
Yep, that is everything I know about him right there.
Interesting. I didn’t know about a Glynis Johns and her role in this song till now.
Re: Hallelijah, I’ve never understood why it’s so popular, except that it is often used as a piece to express ‘Spirtuality’ by singers known to be either atheists or agnostics. “See? I have a Soul. I’m not just a Hedonist.
I have tearful compassion too, not for Men but for ‘Maya’”
This reason has also made John Lennon’s “Imagine” very popular as a default ‘Spirituality’ anthem, a non-denominational ode often embraced by those same atheists and agnostics in moments of national upheaval i.e. after terrorist attacks.
He wrote for the stage.
Rest in Peace, Music Man.
Never heard of West Side Story?
Except that understanding Leonard Cohen as a flawed Messianic Jew (his description, not mine), the derivation and meaning of the word Hallelujah, and Cohen’s own rationale for the song that in the middle of the chaos and the light, evil and good of this life, Hallelujah was the only response possible, I find that the song soars above those who recorded it.
You could be correct. I have never studied the lyrics all that closely.
SHREK sings it too? Lol!
Never heard who wrote it.
I know that.
But everything went downhill at that point.
Nothing but sickening and depressing topics and songs, as well as PC renderings of everything. And the melodies aren’t that inspiring, either.
Which partly in my view is why at a certain age it’s really a waste of time. Never mind is it deadly?
Because back then, gays didn't have children. Less wear and tear on the heart.
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