Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

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Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:52pm

Among the dozens (countless?) stylings Sondheim's music can be recognized for is his tendency have actors sing a series of questions or retorts back-and-forth.

Some examples:

COMPANY - "POOR BABY"
David?
Yes?
Robert.
What?
I worry.
Why?
It's such a waste. There's no one.
Where?
In his life.
Oh.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC - "A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY"
Well?
I've an intriguing little social item
What?
Out of the Armfeldt family manse.
Well, what?

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE - "NO LIFE"
Ah.
Mm.
Oh my.
Oh dear.
Oh my dear.

CAN YOU THINK OF ANY OTHERS?

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:54pm

Barcelona

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:54pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 04:54 PM

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:55pm

Hi Buddy ^^^
Clearly, "Barcelona." I left that one out because I didn't want to type the entire song :)

RE: "Send in the Clowns" is largely a solo until the duet comes in... I'm talking about a clear back-and-forth between two or more actors.

Updated On: 4/7/08 at 04:55 PM

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:59pm

There's some of that going on in "A Little Priest." Also "A Very Nice Prince."

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 4:59pm

A Very Nice Prince; First Midnight from ITW.

He's a very nice prince.
And?
It's a very nice ball
And?
When I entered they trumpeted
And the prince?
Oh the prince.
Yes the prince
Well he's tall

I don't want to type the rest out but you get the idea.

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 5:06pm

Are you talking about recitative?

Updated On: 4/7/08 at 05:06 PM

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:32pm

No, he's talking about interjections (usually questions) in Sondheim's lyrics

Like this one, my favorite (it goes by so quickly in "Your Fault") from four different characters:

"Yes?"
"How?"
"Hrm."
"Well?"

re: Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

Posted: 4/7/08 at 8:33pm

There are moments of that in "Your Fault" from Into the Woods.

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