Research Catalog

Interview with Stephen Sondheim

Title
Interview with Stephen Sondheim, 1971-11-12.
Author
Sondheim, Stephen
Publication
1971.

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AudioUse in library *LDC 53174Performing Arts Research Collections - Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
Wilk, Max
Found In
Interviews for the book "They're playing our song".
Description
1 streaming audio file (approximately 1 hr.) : digital, mono.
Summary
Stephen Sondheim, a composer and lyricist, speaks about Oscar Hammerstein's, Burt Shevelove's and Arthur Laurents' influence on his lyric writing and points out the principles he considers the most important: clarity of expression; the importance of thought before expression (that is, more stress on the idea than the rhyme); the notion and significance of the subtext in a play; having staging in mind while composing a song for a musical; and writing songs from a playwriting perspective. He demonstrates these ideas by analyzing his musicals "Gypsy" and "Westside story," and discusses other topics such as why he doesn't want to collaborate with composers anymore and instead writes his own music; his talented associates (J. Robbins, L. Bernstein, J. Styne, A. Laurents); what he doesn't like about Larry Hart's lyrics and how Rodgers and Hart worked when they were a team; writing hit songs versus musicals; and more.
Alternative Title
  • They're playing our song.
  • Interviews for the book "They're playing our song".
Subject
  • Sondheim, Stephen > Interviews
  • Lyricists > United States > Interviews
  • Composers > United States > Biography
Genre/Form
  • Interviews.
  • Sound recordings.
Note
  • Title supplied by cataloger from information on the original container.
  • Original interview conducted by Max Wilk, playwright, screenwriter and author of fiction and nonfiction books, for the book "They're playing our song" published in 1973.
Access (note)
  • Access to original item restricted.
Additional Formats (note)
  • Also available on CD (1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.) copied from archival original in *LDC 53174.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Call Number
*LDC 53174
OCLC
879645072
Author
Sondheim, Stephen, interviewee.
Title
Interview with Stephen Sondheim, 1971-11-12.
Production
1971.
Playing Time
005942
Type of Content
spoken word
Type of Medium
audio
computer
Type of Carrier
audio disc
online resource
Performer
Stephen Sondheim, interviewee ; Max Wilk, interviewer.
Event
Recorded in New York City 1971 November 12.
Access
Access to original item restricted.
Additional Formats
Also available on CD (1 audio disc : digital, mono ; 4 3/4 in.) copied from archival original in *LDC 53174.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Interviews for the book "They're playing our song."
Local Note
Archival original: (1 audiotape reel : analog, 7 1/2 ips., 1/2 track mono ; 10 in.) in *LT-10 2180.
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Added Author
Wilk, Max, interviewer.
Added Title
They're playing our song.
Interviews for the book "They're playing our song".
Found In:
Interviews for the book "They're playing our song".
Research Call Number
*LDC 53174
*LT-10 2180
View in Legacy Catalog