Sondheim Suggestions

[timote316]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 3:50pm

I was looking at my collection of cast recordings, and noticed something: its lacking in the Sondheim department. All I have is Into the Woods and Assassins (original and revival recordings of both), along with WSS (OBC) and Gypsy (Bernie). Any suggestions on what Sondheim cast recordings I should get?

[bjivie2]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 3:51pm

I think Sweeney is the most important, imo. I'd get the big ones first: Sweeney, Little Night Music,Sunday in the Park, Forum, Follies, Company, then go onto the lesser-known titles like Anyone Can Whistle, Merilly, Saturday Night, etc.

Updated On: 9/6/05 at 03:51 PM

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 3:53pm

Sunday in the Park With George is amazing. Same with Sweeney Todd.

[CastAlbumFan]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 3:53pm

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC! Original cast! Order it RIGHT NOW!!!!!

After that, COMPANY original cast.

Hold off on getting SWEENEY TODD and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE until the remasters comes out at the end of October.

Updated On: 9/6/05 at 03:53 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 3:53pm

Start with Company: Original Broadway Cast. Make sure you get the remaster.

Then I'd get:
Follies-OBC
Sunday in the Park with George
Sweeney Todd
and
A Little Night Music-OBC

I'd get those, and if you love them, I'd move on to the great obscure scores like Anyone Can Whistle, Passion, and Pacific Overtures.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 3:54pm

Or you could start in the order he wrote the scores, which could be great fun.

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:01pm

Company would be a good place to start -- the OBC, of course -- because it was his first landmark work, one of his greatest scores, and pretty catchy to boot. A Little Night Music is another that isn't too challenging and really gorgeous, so that could be next. Merrily We Roll Along is full of great pop tunes, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum's score is delightful. You might want to hold off on getting some of his more challenging work, Sweeney Todd, Passion, Pacific Overtures, etc. until you listen to those first few. I personally can say I love all of his scores, even Bounce. It's always nice to have people eager about Sondheim's music. :)

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:10pm

PASSION 1997 London cast recording. mmmmmm......

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:12pm

My vote goes to Company as well--Follies should be next...

Might I also recommend the Sondheim books by Craig Zadan and Ken Mendelbaum (sp?)...they'll give you an idea of where you want to go

[timote316]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:22pm

Thank you all!

But, you know what? I have more than I thought I did!
I have Sunday in the Park with George, but I haven't listened to it. I also have the revival of Company, but I'll have to add the OBCR to my list. Keep them coming!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:24pm

Please listen to the OBC of Company before you listen to the mostly horrible revival.

[timote316]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:25pm

I liked the revival, from what I've heard. Now I need to find the original!

[lildogs]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 4:26pm

The revival isn't so great--plus you miss Beth Howland's Getting Married Today (still my fave with apologies to the late great Madeline Kahn) and Elaine's Ladies Who Lunch...actually everything Elaine says:

the extra-loud "TELEPHONE" calls
"She's tall enough to be your mother"..."Goliath"
or her holding out that last note on "Poor Baby"

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 5:56pm

A Little Night Music was my first Sondheim and I'm so glad. It was the perfect way to begin my love affair with him. I also have to second (third? fourth?) the Company OCR. ALNM and Company are two completely different sides of Sondheim, but they give you a really good look at his amazing spectrum. Have fun listening!

[jasonf]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 7:36pm

I know I might get burned alive for this, but forget the OBC of Follies -- get the Papermill Playhouse recording. The OBC is SO incomplete to the point of annoyance. The Papermill recording is fantastic...

[toodramatic]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 7:44pm

Another vote for COMPANY, the best place to start if you already have ITW...and get Sweeny, of course...then jump in for some Sunday and the much neglected Merrily We Roll Along...oh they're (EDIT, thanks jasonf) all so great....
Updated On: 9/6/05 at 07:44 PM

[jasonf]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 7:47pm

Yes, THEY'RE all so great!

(Sorry, English teacher on the board, and with school starting up this week....)

[toodramatic]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 7:50pm

haha sorry about that...can you believe I got a 32 on the English part of the ACT?

Anyway, back to topic...

[lamentingenvelope]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 7:52pm

Company, Follies, Sunday..., and the very underloved Merrily We Roll Along (all OBC) are my favorites... I don't have Sweeney yet (shame on me, I am a bad Sondheim fan) but what I have heard of it is sensational. Mmm, I cannot wait for the revival. But that's a different topic.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 8:08pm

I love the Papermill recording. But while it is incomplete, the OBC of Follies is necessary for a lot of the performances that still can't be topped.

[buffyactsing]

Posted: 9/6/05 at 8:25pm

There's a Ken Mandelbaum Sondheim book????