Question for the experts!

[fyffe]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:12pm

Ok,
I am a huge, huge fan of musical theatre, but I will admit that some "musical" terms I am unaware of. I would like to know if there is a term for the style of writing during a show where two people or MORE people singing at the same time but signing different lyrics and even on different beats. I a) love that for the way it sounds, and b) love that for the talent it shows the writers of both the music and lyrics.
Some examples I am talking about are
"Confrontation" scene from Les Miz and
"His Work and Nothing More" from Jekyl & Hyde
Can people post some more favs of this type of thing?

Kev

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:17pm

Ah, you mean 'counterpoint!'

I love "Kiss Me" from Sweeney Todd, "Sirens" from Jane Eyre, and "If Only (Quartet)" from "The Little Mermaid," but most of all, "One Day More." Counterpoint in general makes my insides melt.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:20pm

"You're Gonna Love Tomorrow/Love Will See Us Through" from Follies is one of my favorites.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:23pm

I have to agree with Phyllis! I love "You're Gonna Love Tomorow/Love Will See Us Through"!

[Weez]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:25pm

'Sweeney Todd' has some of my most favourite counterpoint ever. The four-parter between Anthony/Johanna/the Judge/the Beadle is my favourite, but 'Pretty Women' and the second-act 'Johanna' are amazing as well. :3

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:28pm

Seriously, how could I forget "Pretty Women." That song is gorgeous, even when Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman are trying to sing it. (Actually, I quite liked Johnny Depp's voice... and I don't normally much like him except in Pirates of the Caribbean.)

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:33pm

Songs like "You're Just in Love" and "An Old Fashioned Wedding" (and the Follies quartet already mentioned) are often referred by the term quodlibet. Some people dispute that it's the correct term but it's often used that way and at least some dictionaries support this.

Other examples:

"One Step" from Starting Here, Starting Now.
"Venice Gavotte" from Candide
"Motherhood" from Hello, Dolly!

But quodlibet is a term that's usually used for songs in which two separate melodies that can stand separately are put together. Counterpoint is a more general term that would cover a much wider range. Updated On: 11/4/08 at 09:33 PM