I love how he's battling with himself whether or not to continue playing the song. It's like "I shouldn't give too much away... but it's too awesome to hold back!" LOL!
Which mirrors the battle within himself he’s composing for/lyricizing in the beginning of the video. He understands “going ape” ...he does it on the regular! Parallel process is a real thing that happens in therapy too. Especially fascinating between two therapists working together with a couple.
I saw Len Cariou with Angela Lansbury the first run through SF and that dude scared the SH*T outa me when he pointed at me saying "you sir... too sir... welcome to the grave..."... not like this clip at all. I just saw the Company movie on NetFlix and it is astounding with 2 new incredible songs. See it if you love Sondheim.
I know we're almost 10 years on from your comment, but my god, I've been obsessing over the original cast recording of this lately and I'm so, so jealous you got to see them in person.
I'm staring at the screen with my mouth wide open. Even though I've seen this clip so many times, Sondheim never fails to amaze me with how meticulous he is.
Fabulous! Thanks for posting! Sondheim's body of work is just astonishing. Stupidly, I never saw this live when I lived in NY, so my first experience was the 1982 touring company (Lansbury/Hearn), which I still feel set the bar. It's been interesting to look around YT and see/hear different renditions and see the development of the way the actors deliver the spoken part of the text---Cariou and this cast break it up in a way that conveys the way Todd's thoughts are fragmenting. Hearn made this much more fluid. Every actor seems to have a different take on Todd's insanity, but for me, the Hearn/Lansbury production is a watermark performance. Lansbury sells it (you have to look, but her reactions are brilliant); Hearn's mind is going, going, gone in a way that fulfills the intention Sondheim is describing. How anyone hits that final note is beyond me---it's utterly dissonant with what the orchestra is playing, but the final chord molds itself around that one note into a glorious apotheosis. Just more of Sondheim's genius!
Considering he grow up with Oscar Hammerstein as a kind of second father and teacher of how to write a musical, I think Sondheims definition of "great" is likely not the same as most people.
Composers are usually pretty self-conscious about their piano playing because they develop their own ideas at the piano rather than dedicate that time to learning the works of others. So they might be effective at performing their own music, but don't want to claim that they are "pianists".
I love Sondheim in this clip, thank you! I love him talking about his own work. Though I'm not a fan of Quilley's Sweeney. I'm going to guess that Quilley's not usually a singer? Because it seems like he's jumping too much from singing to speak-singing. He just seems to lose where his tone a lot (I don't know if that's the right way to say it)
It's wonderful to see him explaining his conceptual process at the piano--are there more excerpts from this rare BBC show available? Does he talk about "The Worst Pies in London" or "A Little Priest"?
Wow, this is really really interesting seeing Sondheim going through the songs and explaining the composition like this. Extremely helpful and interesting (I'm in a production of the show right now, as Pirelli). I'm glad these videos exist. I'm not so enthused about Dennis Quilley as Sweeney, though. I mean, I know Sweeney Todd is a melodrama, but this guy behaves like a cross between Noel Coward and Dracula. Overacting much? Oh well. Still some very interesting clips.
Denis was a wonderfull Actor.And the third Sweeney ever.Plus he's English.I don't mind his Sweeney at all.I like the genteel quality he brings,sort of an English version of Len's Sweeney.
Oh, I'm getting there! Dustin Hahn at your service! I'm still learning a lot, but I hope to follow the footsteps of Sondheim's career and make him proud!
That's true but in film there is also more you can cover up. Actors in theater need to be precise in singing, acting and showing emotions facially and with the gestures. Im not saying that one i better than the other but they are both two different types of acting and performing that I feel cannot be compared because of the type of audience and how they are viewed.
@imashitup Which COMPANY did you see? The John Doyle direction from B'way, w. Raul Esparza, Barbara Walsh & Kate Moss, where the actors play instruments, & which was broadcast on PBS? Which are the 2 new songs? I guess one might be "Marry Me a Little," which is included in most COMPANYs these days & has been for some time now; it was written for the original, but was replaced by "Being Alive." (I love it, but hate the idea of it as Bobby's last song. Perfect for end of act 1, tho. )
It's true, but what he lacks in vocal power he makes up for with his subtle acting (he uses every part of his body!) and the emotion that just floods his voice...
If nothing else, I can kind of see where Tim Burton got the idea for Sweeneys hair in the movie. This guys wig is more Johnny Depp then Len Cariou....And as far as I know this was the production Burton first saw that caused him to fall in love with Sweeney.
thats not true, i need a reference for things i write depending on how often i play it or what other music i happen to be working on in the time at this point in Sondheim's career his body of work was phenomenal, and all of the orchestrations relatively complex....sooooo if the guy needs to double check every once in a while especially when he is under the pressure of being documented....i think we can give the man a break
This Sweeney looks like Doctor Who. I keep expecting him to offer Mrs. Lovett a jelly baby then sing to his sonic screwdriver. Hearing Sondheim talk about what went into the piece is amazing, though.
I agree completely with your assessment of Helena's performance. She brought absolutely nothing to the role. Depp is a good actor, but he can't sing to save his life. After seeing Hearn, Lansbury, Cariou, all the great performances, why would you want to see the film?
My comment has the goal to share an up building message full of hope. Jehovah God promises that those who have died will live again in Isaiah 26:19: "Your dead will live. My corpses will rise. Wake up and shout for joy, residents of the dust! For your dew is like the morning dew, and the earth will let those who are powerless in death live again." He will bring them back to life; that is the hope of the resurrection. Have a super great peaceful day!
I don't understand he write the music for the whole musical and he don't know it because he needs to look at th sheet music, if write something you don't forget it.
David Bowie had a binder full of his lyrics that he used on stage. He wrote so many great songs and sung them so many times on stages throughout the world that he still needed an aid to sing them.
I love how he's battling with himself whether or not to continue playing the song. It's like "I shouldn't give too much away... but it's too awesome to hold back!" LOL!
Which mirrors the battle within himself he’s composing for/lyricizing in the beginning of the video. He understands “going ape” ...he does it on the regular! Parallel process is a real thing that happens in therapy too. Especially fascinating between two therapists working together with a couple.
Seriously. Either his lyrical or composing skills alone could blow anyone away; to have both in one person is astounding.
Exactly. Such a loss (Nov. 26, 2021).
God this man is so smart! Some of his musicals i don't care for but i won't deny is such a smart man
He has said that Stravinsky is one of his favorite composers, and I think you can hear it in this song!
Probably the most intelligent, sophisticated composer the Musical Theater will ever know.
Steven telling us the motivations and the resulting music he produced gives you the means to construct your acting and singing. Keys to the kingdom.
I saw Len Cariou with Angela Lansbury the first run through SF and that dude scared the SH*T outa me when he pointed at me saying "you sir... too sir... welcome to the grave..."... not like this clip at all. I just saw the Company movie on NetFlix and it is astounding with 2 new incredible songs. See it if you love Sondheim.
I know we're almost 10 years on from your comment, but my god, I've been obsessing over the original cast recording of this lately and I'm so, so jealous you got to see them in person.
I'm staring at the screen with my mouth wide open. Even though I've seen this clip so many times, Sondheim never fails to amaze me with how meticulous he is.
so wise
like a wise old owl
I love watching him talking about the process.
I will be playing Sweeney TODD at my university and I'm thankful for the amazing advise and composition of such an amazing show!
I know its been 5 years since this was posted, but I hope your production went well!
Fabulous! Thanks for posting! Sondheim's body of work is just astonishing. Stupidly, I never saw this live when I lived in NY, so my first experience was the 1982 touring company (Lansbury/Hearn), which I still feel set the bar. It's been interesting to look around YT and see/hear different renditions and see the development of the way the actors deliver the spoken part of the text---Cariou and this cast break it up in a way that conveys the way Todd's thoughts are fragmenting. Hearn made this much more fluid. Every actor seems to have a different take on Todd's insanity, but for me, the Hearn/Lansbury production is a watermark performance. Lansbury sells it (you have to look, but her reactions are brilliant); Hearn's mind is going, going, gone in a way that fulfills the intention Sondheim is describing. How anyone hits that final note is beyond me---it's utterly dissonant with what the orchestra is playing, but the final chord molds itself around that one note into a glorious apotheosis. Just more of Sondheim's genius!
this was fairly early on in the rehearsal process. and for the record, Sondheim has said acting is more important than singing.
jesus h. christ! his genius is overwhelming!!!! I can't take it!! it's too much! The man is amazing!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
fucking genius.
Wonderful getting to see all this. Thank you.
Officially the best video on RUclips. I can't thank you enough for the upload :D This is brilliant!
this is like the greatest thing ever
and 9 years later? ;p
Wow! listening to that man talk is amazing!
whoa, I love how he explains the songs, This is awesome!
Steve's obviously a huge Bernard Herrmann fan, most notably Psycho.
By the way, who in the hell would dislike this?!
Ugh, I meant to say: I think I come back to this video once a year just to see Sondheim playing Epiphany.
this is amazing
Help me understand how he doesn't think he's that great of a piano player. Sounds amazing to me.
Considering he grow up with Oscar Hammerstein as a kind of second father and teacher of how to write a musical, I think Sondheims definition of "great" is likely not the same as most people.
Composers are usually pretty self-conscious about their piano playing because they develop their own ideas at the piano rather than dedicate that time to learning the works of others. So they might be effective at performing their own music, but don't want to claim that they are "pianists".
Sondheim is a genius.
I love Sondheim in this clip, thank you! I love him talking about his own work.
Though I'm not a fan of Quilley's Sweeney. I'm going to guess that Quilley's not usually a singer? Because it seems like he's jumping too much from singing to speak-singing. He just seems to lose where his tone a lot (I don't know if that's the right way to say it)
Genius at work!
I’m playing Sweeney Todd at my high school right now and damn does this help me get really into my favorite song in the show
Lot of caffeine that morning, I suspect. Wonderful post.
My god he is a madman
version 8.8 BB C. This is good stuff on youtube.
Yeah, that guy isn't exactly George Hearn or Len Carious. (or Johnny Depp, lol) Yeah, Sondheim is some kind of genius!
Thank you so much for uploading this. I’d love to see Sondheim take us through every number in the show; does he?
God, Quilley looks positively ghoulish in the full costume and makeup!
bow before the Sondheim, bow to the master!
It's wonderful to see him explaining his conceptual process at the piano--are there more excerpts from this rare BBC show available? Does he talk about "The Worst Pies in London" or "A Little Priest"?
Wow, this is really really interesting seeing Sondheim going through the songs and explaining the composition like this. Extremely helpful and interesting (I'm in a production of the show right now, as Pirelli). I'm glad these videos exist.
I'm not so enthused about Dennis Quilley as Sweeney, though. I mean, I know Sweeney Todd is a melodrama, but this guy behaves like a cross between Noel Coward and Dracula. Overacting much?
Oh well. Still some very interesting clips.
invaluable!
GENIUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Dennis Quilley & Sheila Hancock (London Original Cast)
That Sweeney's JOOOOY was pitiful! :D
It's a rehearsal and he's marking down. Of course he got it in the show proper.
omg! Talk about old, haha back in 1980, but thats pretty cool :)
I feel like I come back to the
I taught him everything he knows...
Denis was a wonderfull Actor.And the third Sweeney ever.Plus he's English.I don't mind his Sweeney at all.I like the genteel quality he brings,sort of an English version of Len's Sweeney.
Y’all are too harsh on the actor 😂 IA he’s not good in the rehearsal footage, but he’s not bad once on stage
Oh, I'm getting there! Dustin Hahn at your service! I'm still learning a lot, but I hope to follow the footsteps of Sondheim's career and make him proud!
That's true but in film there is also more you can cover up. Actors in theater need to be precise in singing, acting and showing emotions facially and with the gestures. Im not saying that one i better than the other but they are both two different types of acting and performing that I feel cannot be compared because of the type of audience and how they are viewed.
@imashitup Which COMPANY did you see? The John Doyle direction from B'way, w. Raul Esparza, Barbara Walsh & Kate Moss, where the actors play instruments, & which was broadcast on PBS? Which are the 2 new songs? I guess one might be "Marry Me a Little," which is included in most COMPANYs these days & has been for some time now; it was written for the original, but was replaced by "Being Alive." (I love it, but hate the idea of it as Bobby's last song. Perfect for end of act 1, tho. )
What is the name of this full doc?
It's true, but what he lacks in vocal power he makes up for with his subtle acting (he uses every part of his body!) and the emotion that just floods his voice...
If nothing else, I can kind of see where Tim Burton got the idea for Sweeneys hair in the movie.
This guys wig is more Johnny Depp then Len Cariou....And as far as I know this was the production Burton first saw that caused him to fall in love with Sweeney.
that's sondheim....
such a genious... Any chance you could do a quick audio edit and take those high frequencies out?
it's weird because there's the 1982 tour cast doing this and they're George Hearn and Angela Lansbury and that was Stephen Sondheim's
The song is perfection. But the guy they've got singing it's bloody awful o_o
thats not true, i need a reference for things i write depending on how often i play it or what other music i happen to be working on in the time
at this point in Sondheim's career his body of work was phenomenal, and all of the orchestrations relatively complex....sooooo if the guy needs to double check every once in a while especially when he is under the pressure of being documented....i think we can give the man a break
Quilley looks like Londo Mollari from Babylon 5 in his full make up/wig.
there is a lot of notes in epiphany, ritieesie.
genius - but so was beethoven - thematic development
I'll get subject matter soon. no worries.
Does anybody have the complete footage
AND I'M FULL OF .....joooooy..... 4:56
This Sweeney looks like Doctor Who. I keep expecting him to offer Mrs. Lovett a jelly baby then sing to his sonic screwdriver. Hearing Sondheim talk about what went into the piece is amazing, though.
I agree completely with your assessment of Helena's performance. She brought absolutely nothing to the role. Depp is a good actor, but he can't sing to save his life. After seeing Hearn, Lansbury, Cariou, all the great performances, why would you want to see the film?
I miss when Tim Burton and Johnny Depp made good movies.
You and me both
its not the same. its completely different, have you even looked at the music for each!?
@sploopidy Oh of course. There's absolutely no comparison. NONE.
I imagine you were a pretty big fan of Mr. Depp's rendition
althought I do agree with you. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were phenomenal!
W O W
i just discovered the real reason why I never married. It's because Stephen Sondheim was gay.
Stephen Sondheim seems to be avoid singing...he just seems to talk the words most of the time...
Amazing score though
My comment has the goal to share an up building message full of hope.
Jehovah God promises that those who have died will live again in Isaiah 26:19:
"Your dead will live. My corpses will rise. Wake up and shout for joy, residents of the dust! For your dew is like the morning dew, and the earth will let those who are powerless in death live again."
He will bring them back to life; that is the hope of the resurrection.
Have a super great peaceful day!
How about both! This guy is TERRIBLE!
i dont like this sweeney
i'm sorry but that guy is the worst actor ever.
I don't understand he write the music for the whole musical and he don't know it because he needs to look at th sheet music, if write something you don't forget it.
Richmann E Sondheim has written thousands of pieces. He's not going to remember each one perfectly.
David Bowie had a binder full of his lyrics that he used on stage. He wrote so many great songs and sung them so many times on stages throughout the world that he still needed an aid to sing them.
You know nothing.