Special Orchestration for Tony Performance

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/1/16 at 1:17pm

When I posted the FALSETTOS Tony clip the other day I realized that the orchestrations used are totally different from any other version of the score. There's a lot of brasswork going on and even some strings (I think). The show as licensed and done originally is only scored for synth percussion and woodwinds and even though the off-broadway versions had some brass it was not used that much.

I assume that this orchestration was put together for the much larger Tony Awards orchestra, so I was wondering if there have been any other instances of this happening, and if anyone knows who might have put the orchestration together.

 

Updated On: 11/1/16 at 01:17 PM

[musicals1989]

Posted: 11/1/16 at 1:57pm

I can't name specific performances, but I'm sure it has been done before. 

This is back when everything was performed LIVE at the Tonys. There was a "house" orchestra that played for all the shows. An orchestration was created that used that instrumentation. I'm willing to bet that Michael Starobin (the Falsettos orchestrator) did the charts for this performance as well. 

Nowadays, the orchestra and background vocals are all pre-recorded by each production themselves. 

[Jallenc32]

Posted: 11/1/16 at 2:01pm

The 2007 revival of Company used what I believe were the original orchestrations for Being Alive so they'd not have to pay the actors who were also the musicians.

 

https://youtu.be/j8kYfPoHyos

[trpguyy]

Posted: 11/1/16 at 3:03pm

musicals1989 said: "
Nowadays, the orchestra and background vocals are all pre-recorded by each production themselves. "

The orchestra is still live, they're just not in the pit. Ensemble vocals are prerecorded. 

Updated On: 11/1/16 at 03:03 PM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 3:39am

I bet you Michael Starobin did do the expansion.

He also expanded his beautiful charts for SUNDAY IN THE PARK at the Chatelet several years ago. I wonder what a fully orchestrated FALSETTOS would sound like.