RIP Stephen Sondheim

[vince rocker]

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2...icist-musical-west-side-story-follies-company

One of the few people who really deserve the word genius.

Edit: There is an excellent piece by Mark Lawson at https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2...im-a-daring-and-dazzling-musical-theatre-icon

 

[Whaleblue]

West Side Story made me realise that musicals can actually be rather good.

RIP Stephen, a musical genius for sure.

 

[Snufkin]

West Side Story made me realise that musicals can actually be rather good.

RIP Stephen, a musical genius for sure.

Agreed, although I still generally find the music/songs distract from the story. Sondheim was so clever and quirky that he made it work. RIP Mr Sondheim

 

[alanbeeb]

Sondheim only wrote the lyrics for West Side Story - the music was of course by Leonard Bernstein. Sondheim's own music that blossomed later was something else, he was very different from the standard Broadway/West End fare.

I don't think we had enough opportunity to appreciate his work in the UK, his musicals were very rarely performed outside London. The BBC has over the years only very occasionally broadcast performances of his works - I remember being enthralled by a superb production of Into the Woods on TV but it must have been about 30 years ago. The film version that came out about 6 or 7 years ago with Emily Blunt and James Corden wasn't as good as it should have been somehow. Why weren't more of his musicals turned into films? I'd love to see productions of A Little Night Music or Sunday in the Park with George.

Meantime....

 

[Del monaco]

Sondheim only wrote the lyrics for West Side Story - the music was of course by Leonard Bernstein. Sondheim's own music that blossomed later was something else, he was very different from the standard Broadway/West End fare.

I don't think we got enough opportunity to appreciate his work in the UK, his musicals very rarely were performed outside London. The BBC has over the years only very occasionally broadcast performances of his works - I remember being enthralled by a superb production of Into the Woods on TV but it must have been about 30 years ago. The film version that came out about 6 or 7 years ago with Emma Blunt and James Corden wasn't as good as it should have been somehow. Why weren't more of his musicals turned into films? I'd love to see productions of A Little Night Music or Sunday in the Park with George.

Meantime....

He gave her the song.

 

[narabdela]

I was lucky enough to see a lot of Sondheim in London from the 1970s onwards. That performance from Judi Dench posted by alanbeeb was sublime.

I'll add this one from 'Follies', sung by Imelda Staunton.

 

[boneman]

I was lucky enough to see a lot of Sondheim in London from the 1970s onwards. That performance from Judi Dench posted by alanbeeb was sublime.

I'll add this one from 'Follies', sung by Imelda Staunton.

Wow!

 

[boneman]

I learned Send In The Clowns on Piano a very long time ago. My Mum loved Sondheim and would request it anytime we were near a piano. It's a lovely memory for me. Mr. Sondheim was indeed Genius. RIP.

 

[gavreid]

I've always liked Barbara Streisand - this is a bit different

 

[piccadilly]

Judy Collins rendition of Send in the Clowns is one of the handful of recordings to have literally brought a tear to my eye.

 

[Big Tabs]

R.i.P. Stephen Sondheim

He had an affect on me at an early age which has lasted throughout. Thanks for that.