ALW vs. Sondheim — Page 4

oh this is hard for me. The first broadway show I saw was Sunset Blvd. I had seen the movie Evita a few months before Sunset so I loved Evita and that hooked me but after Sunset, the floodgates opened! I will always have a special place in my heart for ALW but after discovering the book Sondheim and Co in a antiques store, I became interested in Sondheim. After watching the documentary of Company, I had to go get more Sondheim.
SO, I love both but Sondheim wins by a nose

You're right, Plum, and it's similar with Weekend in the Country -- the melody is repeated well over 15 times, and so most of the audience is humming it all through intermission.

Updated On: 6/13/05 at 04:56 PM

I don't think this is as easy a question as the posts thus far have reflected. I'm really wanting to say that SS scores more originality points that ALW, but I find that with almost all of Sondheim's music, you can just tell after hearing a few bars that it's his. Not exactly a hallmark of originality. And while ALW's writing does sound to be much more formulaic, and his melodies may pound the same notes throughout any given show of his, his body of work is more varied that SS. Also Sondheim has much more of a cult following due to his lack of commercial success. But when judging composers I'm not going to deduct cool points from ALW simply because his shows have had the funding to be larger productions, or because of their $$ making penchant. My personal favorites of either composer are Into the Woods and Aspects of Love. And Phantom will still be running when Into the Woods has its second (and possibly third) revival.

Obviously ALW hasn't chosen lyricists (aside from Rice) that deliver the quality that SS pens for his own work. If I could throw out lyrics I'd give it to ALW, but I can't so after all this rambling I'll give them a tie.

(give Jason Robert Brown another 10 years to build up more of a body of work and he'll put them both to shame...but don't get me started on JRB just yet, my fingers are tiring)

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If you had asked me this question six months ago, I would've said ALW, but now I'd definitely have to go with Sondheim. I'm going to sound like a complete idiot now, but I used to be a diehard Wicked fan. I thought Wicked was like, the ONLY musical to ever exist. Basically, one of the really obnoxious fangirls that people on this board seem to despise. After reading this board every day, I kept seeing the name "Sondheim". I wondered who this is and why does he keep getting so much recognition. So I did some research and listened to some of his stuff and... WOW. I was completely blown away. He has such a wide range of style, yet he also has a kind of trademark that you can always tell it’s a Sondheim piece. The lyrics are brilliant, as is the music. After doing a project on theatre for school, I began to realize what an impact Sondheim’s had on theatre. His work totally redefined the musical theatre genre. While I can’t exactly call myself a Sondheim expert, I completely respect him and what he’s done for the musical theater community, so much more than ALW has done.

Just my 2 cents.

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I'm only comparing music here because of the fact that ALW doesn't write his own lyrics (which I think is fine). While listening to Sondheim, I just realize that I don't like it. The music just doesn't set off the light bulb and make me think. I love ALW's music, especially POTO because it just floats from peice to piece. I am an ALW fan coming out of the closet. Man, this feels good. Almost liberating.

Sir Andrew all the way!

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I didn't say I didn't like all of Sondheim. I just don't like most of it. Anywho, I didn't even realize that when I decided to use it.

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No contest - Sondheim.

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Sondheim.... Into the Woods made me like him, Sweeny made me love him...

I have to go with Sondheim. He just seems to have more pure talent and and unique style. He's done numerous kinds of musical styles without ever seeming out of his league. ALW will probably always be more recognizable by casual theater fans, but Sondheim will always be a god to this community. Literally.

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I agree with post by James2. Stephen and Andrew need to be compared by their music only.
Musically speaking...Sondheim's shows sound similar to other shows he's created. In my opinon, Sunday, Woods, and Todd all sound like they came from the same show. Follies, Night Music and some of Company sound they could all be reembalmed in a different show. The same with Forum, Company (again), Frogs and Bounce.

Dont get me wrong I love Sondheim! Maybe it has has to do with the orchestrations? I dunno. Just my opinon. ( I know the same argument could also be made with ALW...it just annoys more with a Sondheim score. I dont know why.)

Updated On: 6/15/05 at 05:58 PM

Not a huge fan of Sondheim - and (as I stated O/T - Oh no...the worst has happened)....I used to hate ALW but now I'm liking him more.

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