Sondheim's Style: Questions & Retorts

[EugLoven]

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?

[Calvin]

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

Barcelona

[LePetiteFromage]

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

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

[EugLoven]

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

[StickToPriest]

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

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

[rosekwbp]

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.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

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

Are you talking about recitative? Updated On: 4/7/08 at 05:06 PM

[BkCollector]

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?"

[The_Jackal]

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

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