Song cycles

[musicalkid]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 6:01pm

hello all,

what is your definition of a song cycle?
what do you expect from one?
is it merely theatrical songs one after the other? do you expect a solid plot linking?

what would you consider the best song cycle?

the only song cycles that come to my mind now are: (can you list more?)
- myths and hymns
- songs for a new world
- elegies (finn)
- last five years (i know some reffered to it as a song cycle, though i see it as a musical)

[Sondheim Geek]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 6:08pm

The Last 5 Years is a musical.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 6:11pm

I've always considered William Finn's "In Trousers" a song cycle.

Some people consider the original "Tommy" by The Who as a song cycle (before it ever became a movie or Broadway show).

[musicalkid]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 6:17pm

"songs from an unmade bed", comes to mind as well.

but what would you say is the definition of this sub-genre?

and what makes a song cycle a good one?

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 7:17pm

If the song cycle can be debated to actually be a musical, I call it a good one. "Song for a New World" for example. I still have debates with people over whether which catagory it falls into. The cycle needs to have strong character songs that tie into a major theme.

[Born To Reign]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 7:19pm

But I think songs that tie into a theme are what makes it a cycle. You can call Last 5 Years a musical because there's a definite through-line and static characters. Even Company has static characters, if not a through-line. And A Chorus Line, despite being very conceptual, tells a real story. I think that's the difference.

[Jellylorum]

Posted: 7/10/07 at 7:21pm

December Songs is also a song cycle.

A song cycle is a collection of songs that are of a common theme, and a good one is where all the songs are well written. The audience should also be able to make a connection between all the songs and see how they all relate to each other.

[musicalkid]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 8:40pm

bumped for more constructive and insightful reactions.

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 8:42pm

SONG AND DANCE.

[jmponstage]

Posted: 7/11/07 at 9:59pm

I wouldn't so much consider Songs for a New World a song cycle as I would a review. Although there is a linking theme of people looking for new life it has a lot of songs that he wrote for other things originally and really kid of just live on their own. To me it can be a really thin line between the two. Although on that note, an excellent review that is definately worth checking out is It's Only Life by John Bucchino. It has great songs and an amazing cast featuring Brooks Ashmanskas, Gavin Creel, Billy Porter, Jessica Molasky and Andrea burns... a.k.a. the entire original Songs for a New World plus one!

[musicalkid]

Posted: 7/12/07 at 7:43pm

I recenlt attended the london premier of MYTHS AND HYMNS. it was amazing! in the smallest venue imaginable (less than 30 seats, i believe) this small cast has succeeded (with ingenious directing) in making this song cycle a complete and cohesive evening. I really fealt like i was watching a man's mental journey from the inside of his mind. like i was part of his search for a meaning. it was brilliant.
( plus, i didn't know there were quite a few songs cut from the show for the CD)

to anyone who's seen the show (london/NY/elsewhere) did you have as strong an experience as i did? what do you think makes this show so cohesive and powerful?

what could make any cycle of theatrical songs cohesive and meaningful as a whole?

Updated On: 7/12/07 at 07:43 PM