This was the finest tribute to Sondheim on his 9Oth birthday. He's on record as saying it's his favourite song and this extraordorary 'live' recording brings tears to my eyes every time I view it. And I've viewed many times!
I went from *Avatar the Last Airbender to Mako to Pacific Overtures to the original Broadway version to this revival effort.* What a beautiful work by Sondheim, what talented performers.
As I put in the comments. I really loved this musical when I saw it and I have the CD of it. The songs are wonderful and all of them are interesting to return to.
I just showed another version of this to my Dad who is 93. I told him when I saw it in Leicester Haymarket Centre it made me cry. This is one of the most beautiful musicals ever done but i think that it is a hard one to master. Also I would challenge anyone to try and sing it without wanting to cry.
@@robertkirby4822 It’s because it’s Sondheim putting his unerring finger on the truly _stunning_ fragility and randomness of our lives-not just our individual lives, but the lives of our groups. Groups all have histories, organizing stories about who and why they are…and almost all of it is lost. Not just ancient lives, but ours too. The sly, unspoken punchline of the song? That even _if_ there’s someone in a tree, that’s no guarantee that they’ll see or hear (or understand) anything truly significant, even at epochal moments. “The entire course of world history changed that day: what did you notice?” “Well, there were trees then everywhere. Oh, and somebody coughed.”
Absolutely the best moment in this hodgepodge tribute to Sondheim. Kelvin and Thomas are wonderful! Loved the tight POV work and the editing. My favorite of the whole night. Whenever I need a lift I come back and watch this.
The virtual blocking (I guess you'd call it that) is brilliant. I'm curious if they filmed it at the same time, or each one solo. Thom Sesma is gleefully amazing.
The only way a song can be recorded, is each person records themselves separately (listening to the music in their ear). Then someone edits them singing and the music together. That makes this so much more amazing!
For Stephen Sondheim's birthday this year, this was the first video I wanted to see. I am always in tears by the end because these performances married to such incredible writing is musical theater gold. Thank you!
There are a number of elements when combined together, can elicit an emotional response to this song. The simplistic orchestration (piano, bongo percussion); the music structure that builds to a crescendo a few times, the metaphors used are poetic the inner personal story perspective of each character., a beautiful melodic line of the chorus... it hits me too, upon each listening. Always has since 1976.
Came here after seeing the brilliant Thom Sesma in "Dead Outlaw" Off Broadway. The moment I saw his name I broke out into such a grin, remembering this amazing, virtuosic performance. Austin Ku was also in the program, but only as an understudy (never before have I wished one of the main actors had been sick).
This brings back so many memories! We performed with Tom in the 1991 Music Theater Oregon production of Pacific overtures in Portland, Oregon! Tom made a great Kayama Yesaemon!
A reminder that two of Sondheim's songs with the most creative and funny lyrics/rhymes are in Pacific Overtures..."Chrysanthemum Tea" and "Please Hello".
The time has come for a Pacific Overtures revival!
"I'm a Fragment of the Day," is the lyric that hits me personally.
The Old Man is so beautiful.
This was the finest tribute to Sondheim on his 9Oth birthday. He's on record as saying it's his favourite song and this extraordorary 'live' recording brings tears to my eyes every time I view it. And I've viewed many times!
I went from *Avatar the Last Airbender to Mako to Pacific Overtures to the original Broadway version to this revival effort.* What a beautiful work by Sondheim, what talented performers.
Ann Harada, Austin Ku, Kelvin Moon Loh & Thom Sesma stole the show during the Sondheim celebration.
This was the most creative use of Zoom at this concert.
This is so good! And Thom Sesma's smile is absolutely infectious! :)
As I put in the comments. I really loved this musical when I saw it and I have the CD of it. The songs are wonderful and all of them are interesting to return to.
I just showed another version of this to my Dad who is 93. I told him when I saw it in Leicester Haymarket Centre it made me cry. This is one of the most beautiful musicals ever done but i think that it is a hard one to master. Also I would challenge anyone to try and sing it without wanting to cry.
I feel the same way but I’m not sure why it’s so emotional to me. Maybe it’s just it’s beauty.
What IS it about this song? I always choke up a little at the end.
@@robertkirby4822 It’s because it’s Sondheim putting his unerring finger on the truly _stunning_ fragility and randomness of our lives-not just our individual lives, but the lives of our groups. Groups all have histories, organizing stories about who and why they are…and almost all of it is lost. Not just ancient lives, but ours too.
The sly, unspoken punchline of the song? That even _if_ there’s someone in a tree, that’s no guarantee that they’ll see or hear (or understand) anything truly significant, even at epochal moments.
“The entire course of world history changed that day: what did you notice?”
“Well, there were trees then everywhere. Oh, and somebody coughed.”
@@pinverarity 😗YES
Absolutely the best moment in this hodgepodge tribute to Sondheim. Kelvin and Thomas are wonderful! Loved the tight POV work and the editing. My favorite of the whole night. Whenever I need a lift I come back and watch this.
I watched this performance, spellbound, the night of the tribute. Here I am still rewatching and still spellbound in November 2022. 🌟🌟🌟🌟❤
Aww Sondheim's favorite :)
RIP Stephen Sondheim. Thank you
bro im literally alone on the couch applauding. I love love t the outro.
This is so great , the joy they are sharing.
How did I never hear of this play ?
The virtual blocking (I guess you'd call it that) is brilliant. I'm curious if they filmed it at the same time, or each one solo.
Thom Sesma is gleefully amazing.
The only way a song can be recorded, is each person records themselves separately (listening to the music in their ear). Then someone edits them singing and the music together. That makes this so much more amazing!
@@valeriefarschman2799 It really does! And I just rewatched this last night (the whole show, actually, but this is one of my favorite parts).
For Stephen Sondheim's birthday this year, this was the first video I wanted to see. I am always in tears by the end because these performances married to such incredible writing is musical theater gold. Thank you!
Fantastic! One of the finest performances of the night. Now we just need the "Flag Song" upload...
We all miss you Maestro
There are a number of elements when combined together, can elicit an emotional response to this song. The simplistic orchestration (piano, bongo percussion); the music structure that builds to a crescendo a few times, the metaphors used are poetic the inner personal story perspective of each character., a beautiful melodic line of the chorus... it hits me too, upon each listening. Always has since 1976.
Such a beautiful performance, such an amazing tribute to his work
I love this group of people!!!
How joyous. Thank you Thom.
*And someone in a tree~*
Came here after seeing the brilliant Thom Sesma in "Dead Outlaw" Off Broadway. The moment I saw his name I broke out into such a grin, remembering this amazing, virtuosic performance. Austin Ku was also in the program, but only as an understudy (never before have I wished one of the main actors had been sick).
I was hoping this song would be included! Bravo! 😄
This brings back so many memories! We performed with Tom in the 1991 Music Theater Oregon production of Pacific overtures in Portland, Oregon! Tom made a great Kayama Yesaemon!
Ann Harada ❤️❤️
Lovely rendition! Perfect for Covid.
Well done! Not missing one beat! Kudo's!!!
I love this video!
A reminder that two of Sondheim's songs with the most creative and funny lyrics/rhymes are in Pacific Overtures..."Chrysanthemum Tea" and "Please Hello".
Incredible!
excellent
Well done !
👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Hello!
Sorry, but the original is perfect, truly perfect, and easily available.
My mistake, Thom. I believe the role was Manjiro.
:')
The woman's voice didn't blend all that well, otherwise, very lovely.