Andrew Lloyd Webber Vs. Sondheim - Page 9

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 12/16/14 at 9:53pm

Sally, I know Sondheim's story on Wilder and SUNSET and I wish he would stop telling such stories or at least admit he is merely outlining the conventions he himself uses to unify his own shows. (Other such conventions are that only educated people rhyme and only certain characters can sing.)

All of these are fine decisions for him to make, but they are not universal and natural "laws". The wittiest character in TARTUFFE is the maid, Dorinne. The characters in LI'L ABNER are illiterate, but rhyme up a storm. Every character in FORUM sings, however emotionally stunted he or she may be. Etc. and so forth.

Sondheim decrees that Leona in WALTZ "doesn't sing", yet how is she more emotionally arrested than Joanne in COMPANY? How is Norma more regal than Phyllis in FOLLIES?

I find ALW's SUNSET BOULEVARD thin, but not because it HAS to be an opera. Wilder proved as much when he made the film.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/16/14 at 10:20pm

I agree Gaveston, Billy Wilder's SUNSET BOULEVARD is one of those pieces of cinematic history that is truly perfect that it can't be done again. It was a perfect storm of people involved in it including Cecil B. DeMille himself.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 12/17/14 at 6:25pm

If this is a thread to post your frustrations and let off steam, on why Stephen Sondheim hasn't had the same success as Andrew Lloyd Webber, then that's fine.

[Bell0708]

Posted: 12/17/14 at 6:33pm

Man, this is a tough one! I'd have to say ALW for his score (JCS and Phantom are my 2 favorite soundtracks in the world!). But I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Sondheim.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 12/17/14 at 6:44pm

I really like Andrew's score to JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, that music for it's time (1970's) was really an interesting mix of classical and rock combined into one. "The Crucifix" scene has a cool discord sound to it.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/17/14 at 6:49pm

I think that Sunset Boulevard doesn't work as a musical, and probably wouldn't work as an opera or even a musical by Sondheim or whomever, simply because it's cinematic and about cinema. Some things are uniquely suited for the medium for which they were originally intended, and I think Sunset Boulevard is one of those works.