Best book about Sondheim musicals?

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 12:52pm

Hi, I'm looking for a more in-depth study so I can better appreciate the works of my favorite composer/lyricist. I read a little bit of "Art Isn't Easy" but did not have the chance to finish it before I returned it to the library, and I've also enjoyed some Scott Miller stuff. Any recommendations? I'm probably looking for more of show analysis than biography, but any recommendations from someone who has read a few works about him (and his works) would be appreciated. Thanks!

[metsfan]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 1:06pm

Sondheim & Co. It's a little out of date, but up to the original SUNDAY, it's the definitive source. Written by the producer Craig Zadan.

[sondhead]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 5:58pm

Sondheim on Music by Horowitz is one of the most interesting books I've seen on Sondheim in a long time. The entire thing is essentially an extended interview about any number of things with his shows: why he made artistic decisions, previous versions of his work, anecdotes, etc etc etc. Fabulous book.

[Gavin Rehfeldt]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 7:01pm

I too love the Zadan book, and have it up through Into the Woods. Who needs Passion anyways? I'm going to check out Sondheim on Music at my library!

This also reminded me to look into this list I read eons ago:
Songs Sondheim wishes he wrote.

[metsfan]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 7:41pm

You're right, Gavin, I checked my copy and it is up through Into the Woods. Does anyone know if there's an even later addition?

Still, agree with you on PASSION and a trip to the library!

[NakedMaid]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:50pm

Sondheim on Music: Minor Details; Major Decisions
As sondhead says- this is a very interesting book/interview.
Tho It sounds like Horowitz put more thought into most of his questions than Sondheim did in an entire show! LOL

Posted: 12/17/09 at 12:33am

Sondheim and Co is the best "survey" level book as they'd say in university--covers everything up to ITWoods or wherever. I first read it when I was getting into Sondheim in the mid 90s and wasn't online--now thanks to online lots of the info may seem basic or redundant but it's still a great book.

Gottfried's Sondheim has a ton of his idiic ovbservations and criticisms but it does have great, often colour pictures.

Eveyrthing Was Possible, the book about the making of Follies is Follies exclusive, but is *brilliant* perhaps my fave book on a musical ever.

Otherwise the various books all have diff things to recommend them but each are more specific--Sondheim on Music and Banfield's Sondheim are great paritcularly on how he composses his music, but not much about the actual original productions, etc

[Gavin Rehfeldt]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 1:30pm

Of course the first musical discussed in Sondheim on Music is Passion. I also checked out How Sondheim Found His Sound and that is already proving to be an interesting read. Jumped right to the Harold Arlen section.

"A trip to the library...has made a new girl of me..."

[Pgenre]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 1:35pm

Am I the only one that likes Secrest's book?

Guess so.

P

P.S. I know it has it's faults, but still...

[jv92]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 5:33pm

I liked Secrest's book. I find her to be a swell biographer (Also liked her book on Richard Rodgers).

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 6:45pm

I concur with Everything Was Possible. Great book which brought back memories of seeing the original. Imagine if there was a recording of this.

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 7:41pm

When is Sondheim's book about his lyrics expected to be published? After reading this thread, I've ordered the books I didn't already have, but that's the one I'm really looking forward to.

[Gavin Rehfeldt]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 8:22pm

I remember enjoying the Secrest book as well, but not so much for song analysis. I'm enjoying How Sondheim Found His Sound very much. Lots of technical jargon, but I kinda skim through bits and pieces 'til I see a title of a show, Harold Prince, or Arlen.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/18/09 at 9:43pm

"When is Sondheim's book about his lyrics expected to be published? After reading this thread, I've ordered the books I didn't already have, but that's the one I'm really looking forward to."

Late 2010. I can't wait to read it myself.

Posted: 12/19/09 at 2:53pm

I really like Secrest's book and most fans seem to (liked her Bernstein book too)--Pgenre I think the reason few have brought it up here is it's a book on Sondheim, not his shows...

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 11:31pm

Bumping out of curiosity, plus I'm looking for something that analyzes each of the shows aside from the Hat books. Has anyone read Sondhiem and the Reinvention of the American Musical? That's a newer one I'm not too sure about.

 

[PatrickDennis92]

Posted: 12/23/17 at 9:39am

I have read it; it was fine but not anything I would say someone needs to rush out and get. I suppose my issue is that I’m not sure Sondheim reinvented anything— he stands rather starkly in contrast in my view, having invented his own style that while inspiring to so many artists hasn’t really caught on in a successful way. I do think, though, that he can be given credit for reinventing the musical theatre song, as I do think his influence at that level is far reaching. But the book, in my opinion, didn’t get it.