What people [3 and hate about Sondheim- Page 3

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 3:51pm

I think most modern broadway pop scores are lackluster at best. A few are tolerable and good, but most are horrendous.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 3:51pm

I'd rather take a pop score anyday.


- If you knew anything. Sondheim has his one and only pop score. MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. It's pop for Sondheim's standards, but is in another league from Schwartz's pop garbage.
Updated On: 5/24/08 at 03:51 PM

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 3:56pm

The score from Merrily We Roll Along is horrible and known as Sondheim's worst show. I don't think I've listened to any of Schwartz's stuff. I have listened to Wildhorn and Webber a lot tho:)

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 3:59pm

Ahh. Wildhorn. Now there is the true master of American Musical Theatre.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:01pm

"The score from Merrily We Roll Along is horrible and known as Sondheim's worst show."

Actually, you're misinformed. It is not known as Sondheim's worst show. It is actually known as one of his best scores and is one of the best cast recordings ever produced. The book of the show, on the other hand, has many problems. That, however, is not Sondheim's fault. The show has never had an extremely successful run, but it can be agreed upon that it is not the score's fault.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:03pm

Amen, SondheimGeek.

And look for a revival in 09/10.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:04pm

I do really adore Sondheim, but I will say that I can't stand PASSION. I've really tried to like that show, but I just don't. It's really the only Sondheim score I've ever heard that I don't like.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:05pm

I am very excited for the revival! I've heard various things about the revised versions of the book/score, and I'm wondering if it would be better to revive the show as it was originally concieved, without the countless revisions?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:07pm

Ehh. I rather have the revised version. He added some great new songs, and made some other nice changes to the score. It's nice to have Beth sing 'Not A Day Goes By' as originally intended. Book wise, I'm not sure.

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:13pm

Passion is actually one of the few of his shows that I think are actually good. Earlier on BroadwayRadio one of his most annoying songs came on, You Could Drive a Person Crazy.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:21pm

Well, it's supposed to be somewhat annoying. He dumped the women, and each have their unusual characteristics, which can be thought of as annoying. I personally think the song is genious.

[jackson992]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:37pm

Ahhh I forgot about Schwartz's remarkable Meadowlark. Noone can deny that that is a great song.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 4:55pm

I am doubtful that when the revival is mounted we will be hearing "Rich and Happy" which upsets me. I don't like "That Frank," but I have heard excellent things about the revisions so we can only hope for the best!

[myshikobit]

Posted: 5/24/08 at 8:52pm

I like Schwartz... about half the time. Good- Wicked, Baker's Wife, Pippin. Bad- Godspell (which my hatred for is enough to even out my love for the other three). Sondheim is never old to me. He's about half of my iPod. P.S.: Don't discriminate against 1992. I like Sondheim and I was born in 92 (although I do agree my generation can be pretty... classless)

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 9/9/08 at 5:05pm

It doesn't take much for more to get sick of a score. However, I've yet to get tired of a Sondheim score. It's just so brilliant and can inspire so much thought that it always keeps me entertained.

Some people say, as has been pointed out, that they don't want to have to think. I agree that some of his scores may not be as entertaining if you don't listen to them a few times or give much thought, but not all. Into the Woods, for example, I enjoyed at a young age without even understanding its depth. I just enjoyed the songs. As I've gotten older I've been able to go back and analyze so I enjoy it even more.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 9/9/08 at 5:21pm

I hate when people run around spouting about how much they love Stephen Sondheim just to seem smart and cultivated. Granted, this is not pointed at anyone on this site-- I'm talking about people who just say, "Yes, I'm a huge Sondheim fan" but can't name any of the shows he wrote (except for "West Side Story," which loads of people seem to think he composed the music for, and "Sweeney Todd," the delight of Depp fangirls everywhere who don't even know that there ever was a Ballad of Sweeney Todd). It seems to me like an AWFUL lot of people think he's the same person as Stephen Schwartz as well. I've actually heard people say, "I love Stephen Sondheim! Wicked was the best thing ever!"

That said, the most-played song on my iPod is the Gun Song/Ballad of Czolgozs from "Assassins," which is one of my very favourite songs from any musical. I have to admit, I don't know a whole lot of Sondheim's work, but I like most of what I've heard-- eventually. It usually goes through a pattern of, "Wow, I don't like this. There's no tune." And then, "What was I talking about, this is *catchy.*" And then "AUUUUGH, I CAN'T GET THIS OUT OF MY HEAD!"

[Patash]

Posted: 9/9/08 at 6:15pm

Does everyone else have the lyrics to "Into the Words" from Forbidden Broadway going wild in their heads right now?

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/9/08 at 6:29pm

I saw Sweeney Todd on Broadway and was blown away. I didn't know Sondheim's music when I went to see it. I only knew who he was from reading about the show. I became semi addicted to his scores and have been a longtime fan. I don't own every Sondheim recording. I don't think I have to to be a big fan. Sweeney and Merrily are my two favorites. I have 4 or 5 Sonheim shows on my ZUNE that I listen to often. I just think he is brilliant and there is always something wonderful to find in his music. I even went back to his earlier stuff and listened to what I could in order just to hear how his style changed and progressed and how you find bits and pieces of one score in another. he is fun and challenging at times (in a good way) to listen to.

[NY_Broadway2]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 9:05am

I love him for his originality and wittiness of his music and lyrics. I just got cast in Sweeney Todd locally and I know it's going to be very difficult to sing but it will be such an honor to sing his work. And any person who can create such dynamic music and also write the lyrics to their music and create a story from it, is a genius in my book.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 9:47am

What I love about Sondheim: his music and lyrics.

What I hate about Sondheim: nothing really.

What I wonder about Sondheim: why so much of his magnificent music and lyrics are stuck in shows with such lackluster books, and often come to the stage in such lackluster productions.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:22am

Usually his scores take forever to grow on me. Sweeney, I think, was the exception. I still can't finish listening to Pacific Overtures; I know that seems like blasphemy, but I find it boring. Yet I love Passion, which people think is Sondheim's most inaccessible score. Go figure.

And I dislike the idea that most people who don't like Sondheim don't understand him. It's just a matter of personal preference.

[jennamajig]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:38am

I, like many here, love Sondheim's lyrics. Smart lyrics are so important in story-telling and the lyrics are why I adore Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd. My true appreciation for Into the Woods grew when I was in the show (first in HS, then in college) and had time for the lyrics to sink in. I also think the lyrics from Company are quite clever.

I like a lot of his music as well (Sweeney is his strongest work for me musically), but whenever I stare at the sheet music for a lot of his songs, the singer is me wants to beat him for making it a b**** to sing!

Of course, musical theater tastes varies for every individual, so I can understand why people don't share the same love for Sondheim I do. I'm not a huge fan of the music from Wicked as I feel for every semi-decent song, there is a huge clunker. To each their own.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 10:55am

Spork, I am with you on Pacific Overtures. I have heard it and never bought it. I think I need to and just sit and listen to it.

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 5:06pm

Pacific Overtures takes time... But it will happen.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 9/10/08 at 5:29pm

I love listening to all of his music.
I love singing most of his music.
I hate singing the harmony part in "A Moment With You" because it's impossible to hear.