Question about orchestrators- Page 2

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/31/06 at 4:19pm

Elmore3003, I went to the index of the Library of Congress holdings for Richard Rodgers and it notes that for "Slaughter on 10th Ave" they have a "six page holographic pencil sketch" which is referred to elsewhere as a lead sheet. We all know that Slaughter runs at least 30 pages in the score, so someone expanded his work. The full scores mentioned in the listings turn out to be holographic arranger's scores (listed after the main show-by-show listings).

BTW, this is not to suggest that I do not love either you or Rodgers!

Updated On: 8/31/06 at 04:19 PM

[elmore3003]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:11pm

Where did you read a holograph is a lead sheet? This is not LoC terminology: the term holograph means it's in the composer's hand as opposed to an autograph score, which is in another hand. I haven't seen the "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" score, although I have seen the complete "Big Brother" ballet hlograph, which is a full piano score, and the sketch for "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" may not be complete. On the other side of the coin, the big theme is used twice and may be notated in shorthand for its second appearance. Rodgers' sketch may not be laid out neatly as a printed or engraved copy. Isn't the story in Rodgers' bio about his playing the sketch for Balanchine and offering to adjust it; Balanchine said it was fine as it was.

I can only testify beyond that that every Rodgers holograph is a piano score and that in some cases, things that I thought were fills by the orchestrator were actually written by Rodgers in his original score.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 4:52pm

I read directly from the catalogue of The LOC.

It lists the entry for Slaughter as a six-page holographic (handwritten) lead sheet.

I have to tell you that On Your Toes is my utter passion and I have been planning to take a few weeks off to do some in-depth research on the show and the LOC is my first stop (followed by the R&H Organization library.)

Maybe then I could speak less off the cuff and more knowledgably.

[leefowler]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 5:02pm

Here's the truth, as unpleasant as it may be for those who want everything tidy and explained: There's NEVER any way to be sure who wrote what on a Broadway show, especially as regards the score. That favorite section of yours could be by the composer...or by the the dance arranger, rehearsal pianist, orchestrator, or perhaps the performer hummed it to the director, who sang it to the copyist. And frankly, even the composers themselves aren't always reliable sources for who wrote what.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 5:08pm

Personally, I am a huge fan of the work of Hans Spialek. His orchestrations have been the highlight of many shows for me. I'd love to believe that Rodgers gave him a six page lead sheet and he turned it into "Slaughter" but that's just a personal preference. Whoever did the heavy lifting, there are moments in that score this just lift me off the earth ()especially the second major theme which just takes me back to the mid 1930's so evocatively).

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 5:22pm

I've been meaning for years to visit the Library of Congress and peruse theater and film scores, particularly the work of Alex North. Can one view such material and how does one go about arranging it?





Bree Daniels
New York City

[elmore3003]

Posted: 9/1/06 at 7:51pm

Bree, the Library of Congress Music Division is amazing. I've been working for and with them since a "Babes in Arms" concert around 1988. The staff is great, and Mark Horowitz, their resident Sondheim savant, is a big musical theatre fan. If you have dates picked out for a visit, I would contact him in advance on when you plan to arrive and what things you would be interested in seeing. He can advise you on their status. You can reach him through the number for the Music Division.

Occasionally, permissions need to be given for copying, but seeing such things as the full orchestra score to MY FAIR LADY or BABES IN TOYLAND, or "Appalachian Spring" or PORGY & BESS can be quite a thrill.

[sydney23]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 6:54pm

Alex North rocked.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 9/2/06 at 6:55pm

I would love for Jeremy Roberts to comment on this subject.