Favorite orchestral harmonies in shows — Page 4

I'm a brass girl, so I'm surprised no one has mentioned Gypsy. The showstopping numbers in Gypsy are brass-heavy, and I LOVE them. Especially the last statement of the main theme in the trumpet in the overture, the F-B flat-F-Cccccccc. It gets me. If I had more sleep, I would think of more brass joy. Ah yes, Wonderful Town- another show that loved the brass. But Bernstein always knew.

I, like many others, love the orchestrations for The Light in the Piazza.

I'll be back.

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Great thread


West Side Story, specifically "Cool" the base line is insane. I was in a variety show once and we did "Cool" and I sat in the pit and turned the pages for the bass player, who for sure had her hands full. Following that bass line was so much fun to watch and listen to at the same time


Evita that ethereal string/flutey part found in a few places that at one point is sung by Che "Forgive my intrusion but fine as those sentiments sound...."

Songs from West Side Story...concept album..."America" sung by Patti LaBelle, Natalie Cole and percussion by Sheila E. Towards the end there is a brass counter melody of the beginning of the National Anthem that is brilliant!

As far as I know it is on the original recording as well as the revival. Yes, I have noticed it since the beginning.

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And of course, focusing more on the bands with more brass for the buck, who could forget MAN OF LA MANCHA or MARY POPPINS?

They're awesome if you want a lot of brass in the shows, as well as CITY OF ANGELS, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, THE LIFE, DREAMGIRLS, THE FULL MONTY, and others. I like big brass bands as well as lush strings, but there are also times when you really don't need strings, like ALL SHOOK UP. Those were Michael Gibson's last orchestrations on Broadway, and those should be remembered.

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I'm absolutely crazy about the original Les Misérables orchestrations by John Cameron, particularly the harmonies in the string ensembles.

The beautifully expressive melodies played by the strings during "What Have I Done?" and "Bring Him Home" never fail to move me.

"A Heart Full Of Love" is gorgeous, especially the part toward the end when the oboe comes in while Eponine, Marius, and Cosette sing in counterpoint. It stabs you right in the heart.

I adore the chaotic overlapping of woodwinds during the line "is over. He is gone, the river's just a river," in "On My Own." Not to mention the layered brass at the end of the song.

"A Little Fall Of Rain's" guitar and elevating strings make it so beautifully bittersweet.

"Fantine's Arrest," "Who Am I," and the "Finale" also have breathtaking orchestrations. Hell, the whole show does.

The new orchestrations they've foolishly written for the revival suck major ass.

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Updated On: 6/30/07 at 09:42 AM