ALW vs. Sondheim — Page 5

Has it been poined out that ALW's music is mostly derivative from major classical composers? He rechannels and recycles most of the great Italian composers(Puccini is a particular favorite), for example. There is nothing original in his work. Sondheim, however, is only Sondheim; and the fact that we KNOW it is his music is a compliment, not a criticism. The fact that some of his songs are inseperable from their context is a plus, not a minus! This is the organic nature of his work. (Although many, including "Being Alive" and several numbers from "Follies" work just fine on their own.) Great singers--Barbara Cook--do not devote programs to ALW.

Updated On: 6/15/05 at 07:14 PM

But he does not copy the music, as ALW does; he reinvents it in a unique way, and that's a real difference. All artists are influenced by other artists, but major artists create their own work from the works of the past, while minor artists merely copy (Salieri vs Mozart, for example).

Updated On: 6/15/05 at 07:17 PM

I just love it when people say that Sondheim music always sounds the same. They obviously haven't ever listened to much of his work. They are so extremely different.

I am a slight fan of ALW, and particularly like his work with Tim Rice. Beyond that, it just goes into over-sensationalised banal rubbish. Cat and Phantom may be the longest running shows in history, but I personally think that Cats should have closed out of town and Phantom should have a had a run of about 400 performances, if that.

Sondheim, however, is exceptional. I have to agree with Governor (and Hal Prince). He is a brilliant lyricist, but a phenomenal composer. Unlike ALW he can pay homage to another composer without stealing their work. Assassins and Follies have the best examples of these.

Sondheim by far, but I agree with Plum that ALW can have more artistic merit than he is given credit for. Howver, POTO and Cats don't fall into that category...

Sondheim...without a doubt.