Hamilton Orchestrations

[mattporter17]

Posted: 10/22/15 at 7:50pm

So, the orchestrations sound freakin' incredible, and I was wondering if anyone had any insight of the orchestrations for Hamilton. Like how many instruments, and how do they make those rap-ish sounding beats in the theatre? I might be missing something here, but I'm just curious on what goes on down there to make it sound that incredible. No other show sounds (orchestrations wise) quite like Hamilton. God Bless LMM and God Bless Alex Lacaimore tbh...

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/22/15 at 7:52pm

Conducted by  Alex Lacamoire; Associate Conductor:  Kurt Crowley; Keyboards:  Alex Lacamoire and  Kurt Crowley; Drums:  Andres Forero; Percussion:  Benny Reiner; Bass:  Richard Hammond; Guitar:  Robin Macatangay; Concertmaster:  Jonathan Dinklage; Violin: Erin Benim Mayland; Viola/Violin:  Mario Gotoh; Cello:  Anja Wood;

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 10/22/15 at 9:32pm

Hey Matt,

At a talkback Alex mentioned that there is a lot of pre-record in the pit and he was excited to say how great his percussionist is making those scratch sounds. When you are watching the show it is all so perfectly in tune and balanced you pretty much guess you are listing to pre-record.  Regardless, his orchestrations, enthusiasm and talent are remarkable.

Updated On: 10/22/15 at 09:32 PM

[stargazer2]

Posted: 10/23/15 at 2:51am

I haven't seen the show yet, and have only listened to the OBCR.  Will be in NYC in January to finally see it live.  The orchestrations are so lush and beautiful on the recording.  How do they compare live, or is it just the magic of the studio?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 10/23/15 at 9:32am

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/hamilton-allegiance-orchestrators-special-report_74549.html


You Can't Stop the Beat! How Orchestras of Hamilton, Allegiance, and More Got Their Sound

Meet the orchestrators behind some of the newest musicals on Broadway and uncover the facts about this mysterious profession.


Updated On: 10/23/15 at 09:32 AM

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/23/15 at 9:40am

I also love Lacamoire’s orchestrations. They are gorgeous, full, and driving.

 

I know Lin has mentioned that a lot of the beats still used in the show are ones he created on his computer. I’m really intrigued about the pre-recorded beats for this show and how theatres and schools that license the show in the future will reproduce those. I, admittedly, don’t know much about the intricacies of orchestrations and, especially, how program-creating beats work – is it possible for these beats to somehow be translated to sheet music for instruments or would that lose too much of the feel of the score? Is it possible to somehow provide the instructions for creating these beats on a program? Is it possible that, when a theatre or school licenses the show, the actual audio of the beats would be provided to be used?

 

Also, has there been a similar occurrence like this in the past?

 

Anyone with more knowledge than I on these things have any insight?

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 10/23/15 at 9:42am

stargazer2 said: "I haven't seen the show yet, and have only listened to the OBCR.  Will be in NYC in January to finally see it live.  The orchestrations are so lush and beautiful on the recording.  How do they compare live, or is it just the magic of the studio?

 

"

I have never listened to a cast recording that I felt so authentically represented the sound as I remembered it in the theater. They are just as wonderful, and when you see them combined with the performances you'll be blown away if you love the album. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/23/15 at 10:13am

GilmoreGirlO2 said: "I also love Lacamoire’s orchestrations. They are gorgeous, full, and driving.

 

 

 

I know Lin has mentioned that a lot of the beats still used in the show are ones he created on his computer. I’m really intrigued about the pre-recorded beats for this show and how theatres and schools that license the show in the future will reproduce those. I, admittedly, don’t know much about the intricacies of orchestrations and, especially, how program-creating beats work – is it possible for these beats to somehow be translated to sheet music for instruments or would that lose too much of the feel of the score? Is it possible to somehow provide the instructions for creating these beats on a program? Is it possible that, when a theatre or school licenses the show, the actual audio of the beats would be provided to be used?

 

 

 

Also, has there been a similar occurrence like this in the past?

 

 

 

Anyone with more knowledge than I on these things have any insight?

 

"

I could easily see them producing a sound cd to compliment your own orchestra, or something you could play on a keyboard...many have inputs for that sort of thing.

[playritetheatre]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 8:03am

I haven't seen the show but have a lot of experience musically directing others and it is quite common now to click track some of the orchestra and vocals.

For example, I have just produced Evita and the professional licence comes with the professional click track. This includes brass, strings and the other woodwind parts.

When I saw a UK tour they used the same tracks.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 8:57am

Okay. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 1:50pm

stargazer2 said: "I haven't seen the show yet, and have only listened to the OBCR.  Will be in NYC in January to finally see it live.  The orchestrations are so lush and beautiful on the recording.  How do they compare live, or is it just the magic of the studio?"

 

Most of the time it is magical but there have been a few times when there were minor issues with the sound or microphone system (i.e. Burr sounding a lot louder than Hamilton; Angelica not as loud as Eliza/Peggy, etc.) It's rare but it was noticeable when it did happen. I didn't mind it since, after all, one of the tradeoffs of seeing a show live is that there's a tiny chance for minor issues. In a recording, they can do it again and again until perfect. I hope you enjoy it!

 

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 1:56pm

Spring Awakening, another show which uses hip-hop elements in the production of its songs (though there is no real hip-hop element to the show's music in terms of song structure), comes with a click track that includes the beats, sequences and synth washes from the original production. Like Lin's beats used in Lacamoire's orchestration, these electronic elements date back to Duncan Sheik's demo recording.

Posted: 7/18/16 at 2:02pm

I feel like with most shows, the orchestrations sound so much better when watching the show live than listening to the recording. However, as great as Hamilton was, I didn't feel this way about it. When heard live, it sounded about the same as it does on the recording, no more lush or full. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 2:11pm

That's a compliment to both the cast recording and the sound design.

[macnyc]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 2:32pm

I feel the recording is too heavy on the drums, or maybe they're beats. I guess people who like hip-hop more than I do will enjoy that part. But other than that I love the recording.

 

Lacamoire also did a great job with Dear Evan Hansen, and I really look forward to that OBC.

Updated On: 7/18/16 at 02:32 PM

[eponine2]

Posted: 7/18/16 at 4:48pm

Interview - Alex Lacamoire on Hamilton

5/31/2016

http://build.aol.com/video/574dff23e4b06f8239017ba7/