J --
BroadwayGirl's suggestion that you listen to a few of Sondheim's OBCs is an excellent one. Contrary to popular belief, Sondheim has written a great deal of melodic, non-intellectual, fun, funny, non-"serious" catchy music in his career. That one needs to be a music theory major to understand him is a myth. Yes, there's deep and profound stuff in his scores and the deeper one goes into them, the more rewards one finds -- his gift is unique and the more one listens, the more one appreciates him. But, the scores from "Company" or "Follies" for example are "song-scores" --lots of interesting, fun, melodic music, in the form of simple, accessible character songs that will allow you to appreciate his talent without forcing you to have to connect a lot of dots.
If you can (depending on your local video store) rent the DVD documentaries of the filming of the original cast album of "Company" and the all-star concert of "Follies." You'll get excerpts of the music and the story of the shows, along with some fun, behind the scenes drama. If you can't find those DVDs, get your hands on the OBCs of both -- perhaps you'll understand why he is so revered. If you like them, perhaps they'll provide a window into some of his later, more complex work.
I know for me, many years ago, listening, I think, to the OBC of "Sunday In the Park" it was as if a lightbulb came on (and it's never turned off). All the dots connected and Sondheim no longer seemed complex or intellectual, just a great and brilliant storyteller through music. I hope you get that revelation someday.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
Updated On: 7/7/04 at 02:13 AM
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