num_pages: 416
description: Sondheim on Music compiles a series of interviews the author conducted with Stephen Sondheim as they pored over Sondheim's manuscripts and sketches and discussed the creative process. Focusing primarily on six shows, Passion , Assassins , Into the Woods , Sunday in the Park with George , Sweeney Todd , and Pacific Overtures , Sondheim talks about his approaches to musicalizing characters and dramatic moments; how motifs and thematic material are created and used; how musical components like harmony, melody, and rhythm reflect character; the structuring of a score; the use of pastiche; and the practical aspects of collaboration.In addition, the book includes Sondheim's list of "Songs I wish I'd Written," his reasons behind some of those choices, and the messages he received from composers and lyricists whose songs were included on the list. An exhaustive Songlisting and a Discography follow, cataloging commercial recordings of Sondheim songs, vocal ranges, and publishing information for his songs and scores.
language: English
title: Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions
titlecomplete: Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions
genres: Drama, Musicals, Music, Poetry, Biography, Nonfiction, Theatre
ratings_count: 166
publisher: Scarecrow Press