Webber's Best Score?

[JuanValjean72]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 1:48am

I was just wondering what some of you that are more familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber's scores, think is his finest score. I know every show has their flaws, but I was just curious. I personally can't pick one, at least right off the bat because each of his scores have their shining moments. Any opinions?

[PositivelyEmerald]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:00am

I LOVE listening to the music in Evita. Requiem gets me every time, especially on the revival recording. Other than that a close favorite of mine is Sunset Boulevard. (One of my favorite finales in a musical ever)

Updated On: 6/24/13 at 02:00 AM

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:03am

Evita is definitely his best score. These are his top 3 IMO:

1. Evita
2. Cats
3. Phantom

I would actually say SUNSET is one of his worst scores. Besides "With one look" and "As if we never said goodbye" and a few others the rest of the score is just flat and mundane.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:03am

Love his early work with Tim Rice, but especially J.C. Superstar. His use of contrafactum is simply fantastic.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:05am

According to ALW, it's always his latest score that is his best.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:09am

[Gmerchant123]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:11am

My favorite score of his would be Jesus Christ Superstar! I mean the overture is so beautiful to hear...and I say that very rarely!

I actually HATE phantom! Not because it's been running way too long but because is just not a good score in my own opinion. I know there are others who think otherwise...

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:18am

I'd say Evita.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 2:25am

Evita or Sunset, maybe Phantom.

[chewy5000]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 4:07am

Although general consensus seems to say that it's his worst, I am a big fan of Starlight Express.

But the correct answer is probably Evita. Once he gained the power and name recognition to write a show without Tim Rice he really lost the ability to edit and improve the theatricality of his shows.

It is nice that he does his own orchestrations though, he usually knows exactly how he wants his scores to sound.

[After Eight]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 4:11am

By Jeeves.

I also like Whistle Down the Wind.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 4:25am

Evita. No question.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 4:49am

Best (in order of preference):

Sunset
Evita
Whistle Down the Wind
JCS

Worst (and I know I'm in the minority): Phantom.

[broadwaybabywannabe2]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 4:57am

SONG AND DANCE...the song half!...

"Unexpected Song" and "Tell me on a Sunday"...two of Webber all time best...and BERNEDETTE PETERS at her best, and her youngest voice too...perfect combination

[gchris11]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 5:15am

JCS!!!

[beagle]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 7:09am

Sunset Blvd. and Evita

[ArtMan]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 7:32am

Evita

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 8:16am

1. Jesus Christ Superstar
2. Phantom of the Opera
3. Cats
4. Evita
5. Joseph

[all that jazz]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 8:36am

I don't think I can choose just one, because I love them all, so here are my top three:

1. Phantom- I know there's a lot of Phantom hate, but the score is just soaringly beautiful and incredibly iconic. As much as I love ITW, I still can't believe it won best score that year.

2. JCS- Beyond powerful and masterfully written. Has some of the most spectacular male solos in the MT canon. I can't think of a single bad song in it.

3. Evita- The score is a perfectly balanced roller coaster, with excitingly thrilling moments as well as heartbreaking and emotional ones. With the right star this score can elevate you.

Honorable mention:
Tell me on a Sunday.


CATS would have the perfect score if it weren't for Shimbleshanks and Bustopher Jones, but Memory still remains my favorite ALW song.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 8:42am

I think his three best are Sunset, Starlight Express and Aspects of Love. They are the ones I listen to most often at least.

[sally1112]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 8:53am

I'll hop on the JCS train here. So powerful and beautiful. A close second for me is Evita.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 9:16am

My top five...

1. The Phantom of the Opera
2. EVITA
3. Jesus Christ Superstar
4. Sunset Boulevard
5. Love Never Dies

[Plannietink08]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 9:45am

Jesus Christ Superstar is the best for me, especially the music from the Arena Tour. The great thing about JCS is it can be modernized and reworked - the Temple scene in the tour was a dubstep mix and it worked SOOOO well. Can't see Evita rocking any Dubset.
In saying that Evita is wonderful to listen to and SPECIAL MENTION needs to be given to Love Never Dies, the rest can suck it.
JCS though, purely for it's timeless beauty and ability to be reworked for modern audiences.

Updated On: 6/24/13 at 09:45 AM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 10:01am

The best production of JCS, unfortunately, never made it to Broadway.

[ClapYo'Hands]

Posted: 6/24/13 at 10:01am

"the Temple scene in the tour was a dubset mix and it worked SOOOO well. Can't see Evita rocking any Dubset"

I'm sure you mean Dubstep, and the Temple Scene in the arena tour wasn't strictly dubstep I'm afraid (though it did suck).
Updated On: 6/24/13 at 10:01 AM