Schwartz - Slammed?
Schwartz - Slammed?
#0Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:03pm
Seriously, how funny is THIS quote from the article on BWW right now about the S.T.A.G.E. concert recording of Strouse, Schwartz and Schwartz?
Yes, there are overlapping dates in their shows, but Arthur Schwartz is truly a master of music from the first half of the twentieth century while Stephen Schwartz is, without question, a composer/lyricist working in late twentieth century mode.
S.T.A.G.E. Article
#1re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:25pm
I sounds honest to me, if you can remove the snark in the tone (It's a Jason Graae-esque remark). Stephen Schwartz is not what I would call "A Master" but he is quite a successful, popular composer and a very nice man.
I don't think put-downs of Stephen Schwartz are funny, sorry. I'd rather save my barbs for those people who contribute so much less while taking so much more.
Mind is Mantra.
#2re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:28pmOh, I'm not making fun of Stephen. Heck, one of my favorite audition numbers is a Schwartz song. I just found it really humorous that it seems so unintentional but it was very obvious to me upon first reading.
#3re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:32pmI don't see a slam at all. What am I missing?
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#4re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:49pm
He calls the first Schwartz a master and sets up that he'll describe Stephen in some way, but all he says is he's a composer working in the late 20th century mode. 
It's the reason I say it looks unintentional.
#5re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:52pm
I think he was just trying to avoid being redundant.
I'm not a Schwartz fan, but all I see here is a delineation between styles.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#6re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 1:56pm
I'm sure he was, but it is pretty telling to call one person a master of early 20th century musicals and then just state the obvious.
#7re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 2:32pm
At first I was going to say that nothing the younger Schwartz has written can hold a candle to the older Schwartz's "Dancing in the Dark," arguably the most haunting melody in the American canon NOT written by Gershwin or Berlin or Kern.
But on second thought, I think "Meadowlark" holds that candle.
#8re: Schwartz - Slammed?
Posted: 5/25/06 at 2:35pm
I think Schwartz writes really good anthems for singers. In fact, I even like Defying Gravity, it's just written in a range so as to be far too screechy and, thus, rarely enjoyable.
Videos