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#26

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/8/10 at 12:08pm

Despite a pedestrian translation that does the show's lyrics no favors, I'd have to count "Kristina" among them. The lion's share of what praise there was for the Carnegie Hall concerts went to Benny Andersson's music, which is often quite beautiful.
#27

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/8/10 at 7:09pm

Thank you so much for all your responses. Some I have heard of. Many I have not. I will check them all out. I recently ordered "Spring Awakening" and have been listening to it now for two days -- beautiful!!! I also know and love "RENT," and discovered "The Story of My Life." But -- along with "Next to Normal" -- that's all I know so far in terms of contemporary Broadway musicals. So I have many wonderful discoveries to make. Your feedback is much-appreciated!

Updated On: 10/8/10 at 07:09 PM

#28

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/8/10 at 7:22pm

The Woman in White
Wildhorn's The Count of Monte Cristo (not on Broadway yet)
Jekyll & HYDE
The Scarlet Pimpernel
SUNSET BLVD.
Menken's A Christmas Carol
Ragtime
A Tale of Two Cities
#30

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/8/10 at 8:02pm

Beautifful (to me) means rich, melodic, layered themes. I know everyone has their own definitions but for me I tend to think more along classical music lines as beautiful.

RAGTIME for sure. A great deal of the score for GREY GARDENS. Much of LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (when it isn't getting too self-conciously angular), The choral segments of TITANIC and most of PASSION. I would rank all of tehse not only as great theatre writing but musically great concert music. I would love to hear the Boston Pops play a suite from any of these. (There is a suite from RAGTIME as a bonus track on the OBCR.)

Secondary to this, not the entire score but there are beautiful melodies to be found in GRAND HOTEL, ASPECTS OF LOVE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, STEEL PIER, and SCARLET PIMPERNEL (Storybook!)

Sad that of the shows playing now on Broadway with new/original scores I can't name one that I feel contains a wealth of beautiful music.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#31

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/8/10 at 8:47pm

Really, reNt, Billy Elliott.
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist. Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino. This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more. Tazber's: Reply to Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#32

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/8/10 at 8:51pm

Although I suppose it's all subject to taste, it seems like some are listing their favorite scores, not the most beautiful scores. I agree with you, frontrowcentre2. Piazza and Ragtime instantly came to mind and Titanic is up there as well. Unfortunately, I have not yet listened to Grey Gardens, but plan to very soon. I'll have to add Passion to my list as well, though I know a gorgeous song or two from Sondheim on Sondheim.
#33

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/9/10 at 2:49am

TITANIC
LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
GREY GARDENS
RAGTIME
THE LAST 5 YEARS
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#34

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/9/10 at 3:13am

The Light in the Piazza
Caroline or Change
RENT
Spring Awakening
Wicked
Whisper House
Grey Gardens
I wouldn't call it beautiful, but I like the score for "Adding Machine"
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#35

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/9/10 at 3:42am

When someone says "beautiful music" what does everyone here think that means?


What is your choice for a most beautiful song..one you feel has a gorgeous melody, enhanced by well chosen words.

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#36

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/9/10 at 8:20am

I'll count the revival to allow Sunday in the Park with George, which, for me, is the most beautiful Broadway score of all time.

Amour is pretty- as are parts of Triumph of Love.

Sunday though is beautiful
#40

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/9/10 at 12:41pm

For sheer prettiness, I'd have to go with THE SECRET GARDEN and PASSION.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali
#42

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/9/10 at 7:10pm

I'm joining in on the Ragtime/Titanic/Light in the Piazza love.

One forgotten gem of a score is STEEL PIER. Yes, the show basically sucked because of a lousy book, some cheesy lyrics, and weak direction, from a purely musical standpoint, it's gorgeous.
#48

Most beautiful musical scores composed within past 20 years

Posted: 10/10/10 at 10:54am

In addition to many of the scores suggested here, I would like to also suggest Floyd Collins and My Life With Albertine.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!

Updated On: 10/10/10 at 10:54 AM

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