Sondheim on music
Subtitle: minor details and major decisions
By: Mark Eden Horowitz.
Contributors: Horowitz, Mark Eden.
Publisher: Scarecrow Press; Library of Congress; Scarecrow Press in association with Library of Congress
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Lanham, Md; [Washington]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 401
Subjects: Sondheim, Stephen -- Interviews; Sondheim, Stephen -- Criticism and interpretation; Sondheim, Stephen -- Discography; Composers -- United States -- Interviews; Musicals -- United States -- Analysis, appreciation
Genres: Interviews.; Discography.
Description: "Over a three-day period in 1997, Mark Eden Horowitz sat down with Stephen Sondheim in his Turtle Bay home and explored Sondheim's creative process. Beginning with a discussion of his latest work, Passion, and working back in time to Pacific Overtures, this collection of interviews details Sondheim's meticulous work as a composer. Among the topics discussed are Sondheim's approaches to dramatizing with music and lyrics; the creation and use of motifs and thematic material; the use of harmony, melody, and rhythm to reflect character; the structuring of a score; the use of pastiche; and the practical aspects of collaboration. The conversations also include amusing anecdotes about his shows, Sondheim's musings on art and musical theater, reflections on the evolution of theater music, and thoughts on the influences of those who came before him." "In addition, the book includes Sondheim's list of "Songs I Wish I'd Written (At Least in Part)," his reasons behind some of those choices, and messages he received from composers and lyricists whose songs were included on the list. The work is complemented by a comprehensive listing of all of Sondheim's musical works - the most complete discography of Sondheim recordings to date - and publishing information for all his songs and scores, including vocal ranges."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes discography (p. 187-388) and index.
Table of contents: title: The interviews. Passion ; Assassins ; Into the woods ; Sunday in the park with George ; Interlude ; Sweeney Todd ; Pacific overtures ; Finale; title: Songs I wish I'd written (at least in part); title: Songlisting, discography, and publishing information.