Someone sent me this after Sondheim’s death. My name is Richard Morris and I’m the bloke in this clip. Sondheim was very kind to we students. I’ll miss him and it’s sad to know that no more wonderful work will be coming from him.
I’m sure you’re quite very tired of hearing this, but you’re to very “superior” I’am, very clearly, so very talented and such a skilled singer, John. I know from personal experience how (extremely) difficult this piece is to attempt, and you really sang it so very beautifully and seemingly effortlessly that it has become a reference in my collection of songs to sing for many years when attempting to reach such heights in artistry, your performance. We will all miss Sondheim so fucking much. To me he was indisputably someone who saved me life.
You did a lovely job on this so very difficult song. I grew up singing Sondheim it seems and was at one of the birthday celebrations for his 80th birthday at the City center. It was a thrill just to see him get on the stage as the entire audience sang happy birthday to him, something I will remember for the rest of my life. His death is in incalculable loss to Broadway, and to wonderful music, and to the world. Lucky you to have worked with him! ❤
People like you are lucky to have meet this heavenly sent man and his talents to the world. I was a high school drama student for 4 years, which I will never forget. being able to do. Im glad we have these videos to enjoy.
I've always thought of Later as being one of Stephen's personal favorites, because he felt the very same frustration that Henrik felt at age 18. Therefore, he became extremely animated, to show you, and other viewers, the awkwardness, and hopeless despair, that he hopes for in this song. You delivered exactly what he wanted, in your last attempt. Good show, Richard.
Farewell, Mr. Sondheim. You will be missed. You were truly a great teacher, in addition to being a wonderful composer. I must have watched this particular video a dozen times when preparing for my turn as Henrik in A Little Night Music back in high school.
there is so much freaking character development that i had never noticed. love this. need more videos like these with sondheim deconstructing his songs!!!!
In my opinion, this is one of his hardest songs. Not just with the lyrics but also with the music. It goes all over the place. Wonderful song and in fact people should do it more at auditions
"That's terrific!" To have the stamina to keep moving ahead with such a challanging, musically/emotionally, piece is worth a bow. I have total respect for the effort of this student.
It's funny that Sondheim himself thought the idea of assigning specific instruments to different characters was pretentious, and yet now we see directors who are reviving his musicals and using just that dramatic device (namely Sweeney Todd and Company.)
the way Sondheim looks at him and tilts his head shows just how much of a brilliant man he is. This is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and I think this guy was incredible, he took direction well and it was amazing.
It is important for any aspiring artist, if possible, to hear what the creators were thinking, as it only can bring more ideas as to what you can, should, could do with materials. Love this show!
This guy was great...i don't understand why people are calling him cocky towards Sondheim. He took direction extremely well and asked questions because he wanted to understand the character more fully. I would rather ask Sondheim questions about a character that he created rather than doing something that I do not understand.
From my experience w/ this play & Henrik, you're supposed to be a little weirded out by the character; I think this guy really captues how insane Henrik is.....
I much enjoyed the rendition--it sounds almost note-for-note like the British recording from the mid-70s--and I don't think the singer's arguing w/ Sondheim but feeling his way (and Sondheim's reactions affirm this).
When the deeper meaning is explained about the lyric, it makes sense. Reading out loud is a totally different experience than reading silently. Dont tell anyone, but i know someone special who could enhance your reading out loud skills - especially if you want to be a understanding broadcaster!
These rehearsals are great to watch. I'm not an actor or singer but have a lot of respect for those who do either well--on Broadway, it seems you have to do both well. I'm not worthy! So as a novice I what I get from these lessons is that Mr. Sondheim didn't write songs per se but melodic dialogue that it seems has to be sung (of course) but yet enunciated as if it were spoken dialogue...if that makes any sense. RIP, your works will live on
This accompanist is playing the song too fast. There's no breath in between the phrases, and he is leading the vocalist, as opposed to the vocalist leading him.
@@ghpiano100 Yes, rest assured that Stuart Pedlar, who had been the musical director of ALNM for the original London production, plays exactly how Sondheim wants it to be.
sondheim's critique is right on the mark. the singer has a good voice & he's very handsome, but is in service to himself rather than to the character. he doesn't get what sondheim tells him about a scandinavian breakdown. if henrik had the energy which the singer demonstrates, he wouldn't be as stuck as the character is supposed to be. the singer has the look of someone who could go places, but i don't think he will artistically, at leas, tbecause of his unwillingness to let go of himself.
Perhaps. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, in that, I'm sure that he'd practiced this performance ad nauseam. I'd imagine it'd be hard for him to tonally adjust in the few moments he was given, and in an already nerve-wrenching situation.
krealle: haha sorry I had to look through all of this because I couldn't figure out what I was replying to. But with regards to the falsetto, in that the musical is actually closer to an operetta, I feel like Sondheim wrote the song intending the part to be sung full voice. However, I guess it's kosher if the acting can make up for it, but in this case I feel as though he falls short.
@Levraphael no he's not. he's very good and plus Sondheim is right there teach it to him, so if he was so bad would have told him. I know, Sondheim is veru honest.
I was referring to bobbystormont's first comment. To me it seems a bit simple to label a note as "horrible", dissonance is usullay needed to make the music move forward. You don't want to listen to 3 hours of consonant chords (unless you are a fan of Morton Feldman).
This young singer is talented, but notice how he keeps jumping into the character's anger. That's such a typical impulse in film/stage artists today. And Sondheim is calling him on it, as he should. Anger, attitude, sexiness, that seems to be the dramatic repertoire for most today. Real drama contains more subtlety though.
This is a classic example of an actor who believes he knows best and has the performance set before the rehearsal and clearly ignores direction. Especially in this case when you have the creative genius directing you. Annoying
michael tannous Hi michael. I didnt say he being arrogant or rude I just think he may have missed a great opportunity. My point was that a rehearsal period allows for exploration (for example Sondheim's comment that he explored everyone in the original production being "assigned" an instrument - an idea that was ditched) There is nothing "wrong" in exploring a different approach but I would be interested in what his feedback after the session would have been i.e did he learn from it? Anyhow - wonderful that we get the chance to see and listen to all of this
I think he took direction pretty well considering how nervous he must've been with Sondheim himself staring at him. Everytime Sondheim gave him direction he tried to incorporate it into his performance and you could see him letting go of his notions of Heinrich as he absorbed what Sondheim was saying. Overall, he did a very good job both in his initial performance and in taking the direction and using it to improve his actions.
He takes the directions really well the second time around. Sondheim seems genuinely pleased with him at the end, and keep in mind the guy's only a student and this is an incredibly difficult song both musically and acting-wise. The pianist is also annoyingly rushing the song and not following the actor. Taking direction on the spot like that is bloody hard, plus there is an audience and cameras and Stephen freaking Sondheim, so all things considered he did rather well.
This was a poor choice for the student to sing. Way out of his range and technical capabilities which the conservatoire should've considered beforehand
The problem is pretty simply that he's constantly grunting in agreement. It's obnoxious, and he's so focused on himself that he's not actually listening to what Sondheim is saying.
@brth77 sorry but even after three attempts to take the anger out of the "all you ever hear is later Henrik" he cannot do it, he has programmed himself to perform it one way and there is no flexibility, If anything he is too dumb to take any changes on board, A performer who has a sharper character would pick up on what is being said and deliver on the second run not still getting angry on the third. Not surprised we have not really heard of this performer since.
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Someone sent me this after Sondheim’s death. My name is Richard Morris and I’m the bloke in this clip. Sondheim was very kind to we students. I’ll miss him and it’s sad to know that no more wonderful work will be coming from him.
I’m sure you’re quite very tired of hearing this, but you’re to very “superior” I’am, very clearly, so very talented and such a skilled singer, John. I know from personal experience how (extremely) difficult this piece is to attempt, and you really sang it so very beautifully and seemingly effortlessly that it has become a reference in my collection of songs to sing for many years when attempting to reach such heights in artistry, your performance. We will all miss Sondheim so fucking much. To me he was indisputably someone who saved me life.
You are a fantastic talent! This is my favorite of the masterclass videos.
You did a lovely job on this so very difficult song. I grew up singing Sondheim it seems and was at one of the birthday celebrations for his 80th birthday at the City center. It was a thrill just to see him get on the stage as the entire audience sang happy birthday to him, something I will remember for the rest of my life. His death is in incalculable loss to Broadway, and to wonderful music, and to the world. Lucky you to have worked with him! ❤
People like you are lucky to have meet this heavenly sent man and his talents to the world. I was a high school drama student for 4 years, which I will never forget. being able to do. Im glad we have these videos to enjoy.
I've always thought of Later as being one of Stephen's personal favorites, because he felt the very same frustration that Henrik felt at age 18. Therefore, he became extremely animated, to show you, and other viewers, the awkwardness, and hopeless despair, that he hopes for in this song. You delivered exactly what he wanted, in your last attempt. Good show, Richard.
I just love the way Sondheim watches the people singing in this videos lol
This song is brutally difficult. The "student" really does a terrific job of it.
Farewell, Mr. Sondheim. You will be missed. You were truly a great teacher, in addition to being a wonderful composer. I must have watched this particular video a dozen times when preparing for my turn as Henrik in A Little Night Music back in high school.
I have a need to have Sondheim reaction Gifs.
Has this happened yet??!!
Anyone??
there is so much freaking character development that i had never noticed. love this. need more videos like these with sondheim deconstructing his songs!!!!
In my opinion, this is one of his hardest songs. Not just with the lyrics but also with the music. It goes all over the place. Wonderful song and in fact people should do it more at auditions
It’s also pretty demanding in terms of range
"That's terrific!" To have the stamina to keep moving ahead with such a challanging, musically/emotionally, piece is worth a bow. I have total respect for the effort of this student.
It's funny that Sondheim himself thought the idea of assigning specific instruments to different characters was pretentious, and yet now we see directors who are reviving his musicals and using just that dramatic device (namely Sweeney Todd and Company.)
the way Sondheim looks at him and tilts his head shows just how much of a brilliant man he is. This is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and I think this guy was incredible, he took direction well and it was amazing.
The ideals of Sondheim are magical, completely magical. I'm learning more from this than I do normal lessons.
"He's on the verge of a Scandinavian breakdown...slow motion." LOL!
It is important for any aspiring artist, if possible, to hear what the creators were thinking, as it only can bring more ideas as to what you can, should, could do with materials. Love this show!
Steven Haff love that idea Steven!
the teaching that these students received was priceless!
This guy was great...i don't understand why people are calling him cocky towards Sondheim. He took direction extremely well and asked questions because he wanted to understand the character more fully. I would rather ask Sondheim questions about a character that he created rather than doing something that I do not understand.
I love the musical madness in Sondheim’s mind. It’s crazy what he hears in his mind
Same here! I really want to meet him. This sounds silly but every morning I wake up and get scared in case I turn in the TV and hear he has died :(
OMG don't say such things! :(
12 years, two weeks later. He did. 91 years old. We are mourning the passing of his humble genius.
i would die to perform in front of Sondheim.
From my experience w/ this play & Henrik, you're supposed to be a little weirded out by the character; I think this guy really captues how insane Henrik is.....
Wonderful! Thanks so much for posting this!
8:10 - "He hasn't heard one word I've said. Not. One. Word."
In less than ten minutes, he really improved!
this is great for sondheim lovers and students/actors alike-thanks for posting
I much enjoyed the rendition--it sounds almost note-for-note like the British recording from the mid-70s--and I don't think the singer's arguing w/ Sondheim but feeling his way (and Sondheim's reactions affirm this).
Love this song!
Fascinating! Thank you! So interesting to hear Sondheim explain details...
damn what i would give to have a masterclass with Sondheim
"That's what prompts him to grab his cello and start pumping at it furiously..."
I really hope Sondheim intended that. :L
It's Sondheim, of course he did
@AND ANDREY ISN'T HERE Yes I remember that one lol
So wonderful & informative to watch! wish I could take a master class from Sondheim! :)
Yay--Sondheim!
Love his expressions--it'd be awesome to read a theatre review by him
I heard he wrote puzzles and I'd be curious about how they'd be.
This is wonderful.
This entire musical is on here. Thank you so much RUclips!!!NOW I will look for Into The Woods!!(not the movie!)
When the deeper meaning is explained about the lyric, it makes sense. Reading out loud is a totally different experience than reading silently. Dont tell anyone, but i know someone special who could enhance your reading out loud skills - especially if you want to be a understanding broadcaster!
There's self interpretation and there is doing it "right". He is GREAT at self interpretation...
Uaus!!!!! Maravilhoso!
dude, im with you on this one
These rehearsals are great to watch. I'm not an actor or singer but have a lot of respect for those who do either well--on Broadway, it seems you have to do both well. I'm not worthy! So as a novice I what I get from these lessons is that Mr. Sondheim didn't write songs per se but melodic dialogue that it seems has to be sung (of course) but yet enunciated as if it were spoken dialogue...if that makes any sense. RIP, your works will live on
Sondheim=Genius. Genius like I can't even conceive. So meticulous. Must have been really hard for the singer, but it'll make him a better singer.
yeah...do you want to be comfy or do you want to be a better singer?
This must have come from a PBS special in the early 80s. Which one was it? My late drama teacher showed segments from this in Drama class.
i like all these "Sondheim teaches" videos, i wish there were more!
This accompanist is playing the song too fast. There's no breath in between the phrases, and he is leading the vocalist, as opposed to the vocalist leading him.
Robert Torres it’s on the singer to set the tempo the accompanist job is to follow
Maybe Sondheim would have pointed that out if he thought so??
@@ghpiano100 Yes, rest assured that Stuart Pedlar, who had been the musical director of ALNM for the original London production, plays exactly how Sondheim wants it to be.
this is my dream... to be able to do this one day.... learn from the master himself
Sondheim is a genius!
8:12 SONDHEIM'S FACE HAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA
RIPStephen Sondheim
Sondheim: We had everyone carrying around their own musical instruments, and it got...pretentious.
John Doyle:💡
Ha, just what I thought. :D Though I actually really loved his production of Company, and (dare I say it), I consider it the best recording.
The guy is a fine singer, but Jesus he just needs to let Sondheim speak!
8:11 - 8:16 Songgasm
sondheim's critique is right on the mark. the singer has a good voice & he's very handsome, but is in service to himself rather than to the character. he doesn't get what sondheim tells him about a scandinavian breakdown. if henrik had the energy which the singer demonstrates, he wouldn't be as stuck as the character is supposed to be. the singer has the look of someone who could go places, but i don't think he will artistically, at leas, tbecause of his unwillingness to let go of himself.
Perhaps. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, in that, I'm sure that he'd practiced this performance ad nauseam. I'd imagine it'd be hard for him to tonally adjust in the few moments he was given, and in an already nerve-wrenching situation.
that is the main thing that holds actors-singers back.
I really liked his performance and i'm just being honest.
Anyone know where i could find the sheet music for this online? I've only found it on amazon in the full score so far and that's $75!!
i had an awfully good laugh too, that expression is great
I LOVE STEPHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though he's 80 years old and i'm a man, i seriously want to marry him. Love. Him.
TommyBoy249r 90 years now!
I'm sure the singer throughly enjoyed the lesson.
-jcr
Does anyone know when these were recorded? I’m thinking early 80s?
1984, I assume.
hey is this a dvd or vhs? Where can i buy the full thing?
i thought the same! it made me laugh.
This guy's good, but I just have a problem with the way he hits those high notes. It sounds too choppy when he jumps from chest voice to head voice
He’s saving his voice so he could enjoy long-lasting career.
@@hoangn1 Bollocks.
that guy's falsetto was *painful* to listen to. but i enjoyed that rest of it.
LLOOLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO so so so funny.
he looks like a brilliant creeper enjoying the demise of someone he loves! LOL!
8:12 oh hey uncle Scar
krealle: haha sorry I had to look through all of this because I couldn't figure out what I was replying to. But with regards to the falsetto, in that the musical is actually closer to an operetta, I feel like Sondheim wrote the song intending the part to be sung full voice. However, I guess it's kosher if the acting can make up for it, but in this case I feel as though he falls short.
I think they just meant the whole "the actors playing the instruments" thing.
*sigh* 8:11 is hilarious. Just hilarious!
@Levraphael
no he's not. he's very good and plus Sondheim is right there teach it to him, so if he was so bad would have told him. I know, Sondheim is veru honest.
3:13... this audience has dirty minds XP
.....ummmm....that's the Point
😎
when I saw this, henrick was holding the bow wrong, haha. I figured that's at least someone from the pit could show him how to hold it.
@yippedoodah It's only falsetto. Pretty much anyone could do that if they trained their voices in the right way. And he does look a bit terrifying!
Of course it's fast.....the guy is sexually frustrated.....he's about to explode ---Literally 😎
...absofreakinglutely
all of you who are saying he's awful are the ones questioning Sondheim, not him!
I was referring to bobbystormont's first comment. To me it seems a bit simple to label a note as "horrible", dissonance is usullay needed to make the music move forward. You don't want to listen to 3 hours of consonant chords (unless you are a fan of Morton Feldman).
this guy sounds like the original Jekyl/Hyde. does anyone agree or am i just weird?
This young singer is talented, but notice how he keeps jumping into the character's anger. That's such a typical impulse in film/stage artists today. And Sondheim is calling him on it, as he should. Anger, attitude, sexiness, that seems to be the dramatic repertoire for most today. Real drama contains more subtlety though.
yes, and they're so easy to play. They're cheap and boring. The work is in digging for what's underneath.
Ya forgot Oscar Wilde!:D
Ehm, do you mean that the note is off pitch, or simply that it is dissonant?
Omg I lOVE Sondheim!!! he is a GOD!!
now...look at the face he makes at 8:10 it is HILARIOUS!!! Like soooooooo funny....i cried i swear!
I really love this. I always knew cellists were hot...
*when you try to argue with the creator of a character about what the character should be like*
'the devil's companion...'
Sondheim is a genious no doubt anymore to me! I would sell my niece to any obscure shaik for his harem to get the chance of one lesson!!!
@elh666 - Neither I suspect. Can't take direction
@Angelus22 Yes and the singers were horrible. I wish they would bring back the original.
This is a classic example of an actor who believes he knows best and has the performance set before the rehearsal and clearly ignores direction. Especially in this case when you have the creative genius directing you. Annoying
He's got the writer/composer right there so he's nervous. He's trying to take direction but he's probably just trying not to sweat bullets.
i don't think he is being arrogant or rude...he is just a very focused actor and really listening to what Sondheim is telling him
michael tannous Hi michael. I didnt say he being arrogant or rude I just think he may have missed a great opportunity. My point was that a rehearsal period allows for exploration (for example Sondheim's comment that he explored everyone in the original production being "assigned" an instrument - an idea that was ditched) There is nothing "wrong" in exploring a different approach but I would be interested in what his feedback after the session would have been i.e did he learn from it? Anyhow - wonderful that we get the chance to see and listen to all of this
I think he took direction pretty well considering how nervous he must've been with Sondheim himself staring at him. Everytime Sondheim gave him direction he tried to incorporate it into his performance and you could see him letting go of his notions of Heinrich as he absorbed what Sondheim was saying. Overall, he did a very good job both in his initial performance and in taking the direction and using it to improve his actions.
He takes the directions really well the second time around. Sondheim seems genuinely pleased with him at the end, and keep in mind the guy's only a student and this is an incredibly difficult song both musically and acting-wise. The pianist is also annoyingly rushing the song and not following the actor. Taking direction on the spot like that is bloody hard, plus there is an audience and cameras and Stephen freaking Sondheim, so all things considered he did rather well.
Jeez it's really creepyy
really though?
It's a bit scary to be honest!
towards the end he starts looking at the piano player... that is a huge sign of a bad attitude.
is it just me or does this guy sound a lot like the original Jekyl/Hyde?
that chair looks terrible
This was a poor choice for the student to sing. Way out of his range and technical capabilities which the conservatoire should've considered beforehand
Sondheim is a genius, but it's hard to work with an off-pitch and accented singer...
The problem is pretty simply that he's constantly grunting in agreement. It's obnoxious, and he's so focused on himself that he's not actually listening to what Sondheim is saying.
@brth77 sorry but even after three attempts to take the anger out of the "all you ever hear is later Henrik" he cannot do it, he has programmed himself to perform it one way and there is no flexibility, If anything he is too dumb to take any changes on board, A performer who has a sharper character would pick up on what is being said and deliver on the second run not still getting angry on the third.
Not surprised we have not really heard of this performer since.
He gets so bossy. He acts as if he wrote the song
this guy is bad
This guy is quite a bad singer...