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Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

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#1

Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 5:49pm

It's my first posting, so if this has already been asked, I apologize. But let's have it? What do you think? Just to get things started I'll throw out... Ed Kleban.
When dame fortune tosses me a curve, I never give away to despair, I hang on with every little nerve, trying to keep my balance as I dangle in air.
#7

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:03pm

charles strouse. he had mucho flops. lots.
"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed
#8

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:04pm

Contemporary-Frank Wildhorn.

He does have SOME good stuff. Not all of it is GOOD but some of it is. Critics just hate him.
David walked into the valley With a stone clutched in his hand He was only a boy But he knew someone must take a stand There will always be a valley Always mountains one must scale There will always be perilous waters Which someone must sail -Into the Fire Scarlet Pimpernel
#13

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:34pm

sanda, There could never be enough recognition to the Secret Garden. Its beautiful!!!
And you think of all of the things you've seen, and you wish that you could live in between ,and you're back again only different than before... After the Sky. -Into the Woods (Jack)
#15

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:47pm

Lippa?

Four people mention Lippa, and no one mentions Jason Robert Brown, Adam Guettel, Ricky Ian Gordon, Larry O'Keefe or William Finn?

I find that perplexing.

Where's Lippa's body of work? His inferior WILD PARTY? His two song contributions to the revival of CHARLIE BROWN? JOHN AND JEN? Do any of those shows compare to SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, or FALSETTOS, or BAT BOY, or FIRST LADY SUITE, or FLOYD COLLINS?
#17

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:55pm

Heh. I signed up today just to submit William Finn as terribly underrated, under-appreciated, and fantastically brilliant.

And when I mention him to people who I had perceived were rather impressive musical theatre lovers and they shrug and say, "Don't know 'im"... well, a little bit of my soul dies.
#20

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 6:57pm

Dickon, did you listen to Lucy Simon's song for a movie " the simple wish"?
She wrote two songs for the new musicals " A tale of two cities" opened in Minskoff in that movie. One is " the best time" which is the opening song and the other is " far far better" at the end. The music is powerful, exciting.

I miss her so much.
#21

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:04pm

Though he is a recipient of a Tony, Pulitzer and an Oscar, I would consider Frank Loesser an under-appreciated talent...at least on this board.

His crackerjack score for GUYS AND DOLLS defines the Broadway sound.

HOW TO SUCCEED is probably the best musical satire there is, thanks in large part to Loesser's wit and style.

And then there is THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. It's overflowing with melody and emotion and is truly a stellar achievement.

I implore the younger folks out there to buy the ORIGINAL cast albums for each of these shows. They are treasures you will be so glad you own.
"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."
#22

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:07pm

I dont think William Finn nor Jason Robert Brown is underrated,

Lippa is underrated for the fact that people think that Michael LaChuisa's verison of Wild party is better and it got raved about. I think when Lippa's film arrives next year (which i am sooooo excited about...kristin chenoweth and lippa!!!) i think he will become much more popular.....oooo movie news has got me all excited lol!
#23

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:09pm

G&D and H2$ are constantly blaring from my car.


Although, I don't know how you'd feel about this robbie, I tend to play the '92 and '95 Revival Cast Recordings more than the Original.

"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."

The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
#24

re: Who is the most under rated/under appreciated composer of all time?

Posted: 12/15/04 at 7:13pm

I think you're a horrible child and need to be beaten.

Actually, the '92 G&D is has it's glorious virtues (Faith Prince's star-making Adelaide being the big one), so I don't hold that one against you (not a fan of Josie de Guzman, though).

But you simply MUST start listening to the original H2$! I feel the revival sounds a bit wan!

"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."

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