Schoenberg loves riffing

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:15pm

From the read of this last interview, it seems like he is encouraging a little flourish here and there...that is great to hear from a composer...most composers would die if they knew that their music was being created again in spots.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:18pm

I really think he is one the most underrated composers out there. Everyone has heard of Sondhiem or Lloyd Webber, and you always hear "the composer of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon." I think he has created better music than the other two combined.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:20pm

eponine...to say anyone has created better music than sondheim...wow.

I know you probably just got caught up in the fact that he is not known and overspoke...but...wow.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:27pm

Sondheim's may ahve been more intelligent, but when I want a nice listen I'm nto going to put in Sweeney Todd.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:31pm

Sondheim is way over-rated on these boards. People treat him like he is the messiah of the broadway show.

Updated On: 10/4/05 at 02:31 PM

[Forester]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:36pm

"eponine...to say anyone has created better music than sondheim...wow. "

As much as I appreciate sondheim, there are people out there who do right better music than Sondheim. of course, this is all about your personal taste.

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:37pm

Schoenberg is pretty terrific! I love his melodies! My guilty pleasure is Martin Gueree.

Hi Forrester.

[jasonf]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:40pm

I honestly think that's the first time I've heard someone who honestly claims to love theater call Sondheim overrated. Is Mamma Mia more your style?

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:43pm

Sondheim is way over-rated on these boards. People treat him like he is the messiah of the broadway show.

I agree. Mamma Mia is crappy, we all know that lol jk. But Sondheim's music isn't the type of thing I can play all the time.

[Forester]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:45pm

Hey Adam, long time no chat.

Schoenberg is definately underrated.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:46pm

Yes he is! His two most famous shows have made more than all Sondheim stuff together lol. Wow I'm really asking for it today . .

[Adam Chris]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:47pm

Dont get me wrong. I love Sondheim's music....but it can leave you drained after a while...at least to me.

And I do think he is over rated... on these boards.

Also, I have NO interest in Mama Mia.

:0
Updated On: 10/4/05 at 02:47 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:49pm

touch me, is that a pic of yourself

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:51pm

I adore Sondheim; Sweeney being one of my favorite musicals. However his music seems slightly empty to me occasionally; whereas Schoenberg's work has a wonderful fullness to it. It's hard to explain.
Updated On: 10/4/05 at 02:51 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:51pm

nope...that pic is a pic of the fabulous Rachelle Ferrell. no one matches her voice.

And, clearly this thread is not filled with people who have heard enough Sondheim. if you had, you would know the abomination you speak. Yes, schoenberg is nice...but, he uses the same tricks composers have been using for ages. Perhaps it just takes a more developed palate to enjoy SOndheim. I, for one, would MUCH rather have sondheim in than Les Mis (even though I enjoy les mis).

Updated On: 10/4/05 at 02:51 PM

[Forester]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 2:53pm

I wouldn't say box office receipt should tell us wether something is good or not. Case in point, Vin Diesel's movies make more money then independent movies.

ETA: To me personally, the best songwriter/composer is the team of Roger Water/David Gilmour aka Pink Floyd. Updated On: 10/4/05 at 02:53 PM

[sanda]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 3:53pm

could you point me the interview you are talking about?

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:15pm

It's part of Rob's blog.

[musicaldude57]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:17pm

As far as Sondheim goes, I'd say he's more of a lyrical genius than a musical genius. I mean, name one melody of his that really sticks out. Maybe that little bit of Merrily We Roll Along and that monotonous (in a good way) beginning music of Sweeney Todd and "Send in the Clowns", but other than that, not much. Not to say that he hasn't written many wonderful melodies, but many more people know the tune of Lloyd Webber's Phantom Overture and Jesus Christ Superstar Fanfare and Joseph Fanfare and Don't Cry for Me Argentina. So, I do love Sondheim shows, but I think the composers of British mega-musicals have it all over him. But I do think his lyrics are better than anyone else in the business (besides Tim Rice, of course...) As far as AMERICAN musicals go though, I'd have to say Stephen Schwartz or John Kander have it over Sondheim's music, but no American lyricist is better.

[Phantom05]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:24pm

Eponine - I do have to say that the reason most people say "the guy who wrote Les Mis", is because in a public setting, lol....No one is ever confident with the fact that they can pronounce his name, lol...I'm serious! Everyone knows who he is because of his shows, and I do think that they realize how wonderful his music is; come on, lol, Les Miserables...Miss Saigon...Oh they know!

....In terms of him writing better music than Sondheim and Webber, I don't know how you can even compare the three. They all have different, very unique styles. Sondheim's music is very story driven, whereas Lloyd Webber's is extremely lush and romantic. Schoenberg's music is extremely pop based, and has very much of an epic sound...They are all quite different no matter how you choose to debate. OF COURSE everyone has their own preference, and will debate and defend until Hell freezes over, but whatever!

....Also, to say tht Schoenberg is underrated, is a tad UNTRUE....Hello my dear, Les Miserables...Miss Saigon, please...They are two of the most popular musicals on like the freaking planet, lol!

....NOT UNDERRATED, JUST HARD TO PRONOUNCE!!!

And now I am done, lol.

Later!

Phantom05

Updated On: 10/4/05 at 04:24 PM

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:24pm

touchme, ok because that looks just like someone I met at Wicked on Sunday. n/m

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:27pm

I agree some people treat Sondheim like he is the next Jesus Christ. But there were certainly other composers on his level, and/or even better. Cy Coleman comes to mind, and I would put his music up against Sondheim anyday (I know many agree with me about that.)
Updated On: 10/4/05 at 04:27 PM

[jasonf]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:29pm

Forester -- have you heard Ca Ira?

[Phantom05]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:47pm

Musicaldude57....

....THANK YOU!!! I couldn't agree with you more.

Phantom05

Updated On: 10/4/05 at 04:47 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/4/05 at 4:57pm

Music dude, I totatlly agree. I get offended when people who like Sondheim say that it just takes a "more experienced person" or "some one of my stature" or whatever to enjoy Sondheim. Fact is, if you like him, that's cool. I'm not a huge fan of his. I have 3 Sondheim cast recordings and like about 1 song on each of the cast recordings. I'd much rather listen to RENT Or Miss Saigon than one of his shows, I think sondheim is good, but its just not my "taste." Which doesn't make it bad in anyway. I don't think people should feel the need to force somebody to like something. Just as long as you can appreciate it. If that makes any sense ha.