Was lucky to be in the audience on his 80th birthday….. mesmerized by his presence,,,, can only remember his thank-you to us for singing happy birthday …. Thrilled to sing (with others) in his presence …. Hope he felt our love and appreciation of all his artistic contribution to the world.
These two should have gone on tour as a comedy duo. This is the first time I have ever seen this, and I am laughing my ass off. God these guys are funny.
I am a huge fan of two song writers- Sondheim and Springsteen. One thing they have in common (besides being in a class by themselves) is the excellent songs they created but then cut from what they were creating them for. They also are both famously nice people. Being great AND very nice to other people is pretty rare.
Rorem reminds me of so many of the pompous music teachers at MacPhail in Minneapolis who drove me away from music studies. Sondheim, of blessed memory, by contrast, was so wonderful!
Sondheim was correct about flower/hour. They rhyme. Both can be pronounced as one or two syllables. Pronouncing the (-ə) is optional. In any case they do rhyme. Webster: flow·er \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r hour \ ˈau̇(-ə)r ( flour \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r)
Wish they had included it in the wonderful show, dang it! I was so hoping that Ned would ask him why this important, wonderful song was cut. Seems such a Silly shame to me! ❤️
@@virghammer1 I think they only needed commentary from one of the characters - and The Miller's Son had to be it - a stunning number sung by a character we already have a bit of feeling for, unlike her "boyfriend of the moment, Frid, the local help who we barely have seen other than this. It would have slowed down the show to have both. And her passion is a much more visceral and thrilling contrast to the intellectual games of the folks in the House, than Frid's cold disdain.
@@neiltheise You're quite right. In the SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT film, Frid is given far more screen time & is quite boisterous and life-loving; his point of view is very similar to Petra's "let's grab the moment and make the most of it" attitude. And also, he isn't her "boyfriend of the moment" in the film, because eventually Petra pressures him into a proposal of marriage, making him her fiancé (not sure how long that lasts after the final fadeout, but never mind). The fact is, he's a "boyfriend of the moment" in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and he doesn't need a song. Also, though "Silly People" is a wonderful composition, it's somewhat dark in tone and rather analytical, bringing it into territory better suited to Henrik than a servant who just wants to get laid.
i love listening to SS, even when he says something I've heard him say before, sometimes more than once. How interesting that the interviewer is Ned Rorem. Very clever and witty man, terrible composer.
Well, sir… I certainly am not saying that Ned Rorem is my ultimate, personal favorite… though he is TRULY interesting, that’s for sure… But for goodness’ sake… I don’t know why you would want to put it quite that way. - Oh, well ….
I am opposed to the death penalty, but I'd make an exception for the yahoo(s) who inserted commercials into the musical performances in this otherwise lovely hour. The song from "Pacific Overtures" reflected the structure of the hour itself -- Rorem and Sondheim, in effect, said "Your turn" to the singers periodically, and they replied in kind when they were done. One of the best-spent hours I can remember.
I never understand why they use Liz for such deep and weighty music. Her voice has no depth to me. It’s just a pretty Disney Princess. Not bad, just not deep. I never hear the nuances in Sondheim‘s work when she sings it. It’s just pretty and youthful. She should never sing In Buddy’s Eyes! I remember makes more sense in her voice.
It was nice of the interviewer to allow Stephen to speak occasionally.
This interview is such gold. I feel like I’ve never seen Stephen banter and joke and enjoy himself so much in an interview.
It's so adorable that Mr. Rorem believes that there is not a difference in quality between his and Mr. Sondheim's songs.
I'm a visual artist and I usually hate hearing artists talk about art. But I love listening to Sondheim talk about writing musicals.
It's absolutely mesmerizing. I kept rewinding to hear what he said - Sondheim was so brilliant. On all levels.
After 45 years of following everything Sondheim, this had escaped me. Awesome, and Brilliant!
Two Great American composers. RIP Stephen Sondheim - Nov 26, 2021, Rorem is still alive at 98.
Yes. We all are reeling… Bereft … Rest in eternal peace and Power, irreplaceable titan, Stephen Sondheim!
Fare thee well, Ned Rorem
@@johnozed Yes, Rest in Peace Ned, you were an "American Treasure" .
Rorem is bitchy and Sondheim is prickly. It makes for a very entertaining combination.
Rest Peace and Power, Beyond magnificent, supremely generous Stephen Sondheim.
THANK YOU for all you gave us!
*in Peace
I've loved Rorem and read his diaries more than once, so this is particularly pleasing to me.
Was lucky to be in the audience on his 80th birthday….. mesmerized by his presence,,,, can only remember his thank-you to us for singing happy birthday …. Thrilled to sing (with others) in his presence …. Hope he felt our love and appreciation of all his artistic contribution to the world.
Ahhhh, you’re so lucky! - Lovely.
@@virghammer1 Was in Toronto Canada theatre…felt our love too🇺🇸🇨🇦
Came for the 90th bday. Stayed for the genius.
This is probably the best, if not the funniest interview of Sondheim.
I hope he's enjoying the universe.
These two should have gone on tour as a comedy duo. This is the first time I have ever seen this, and I am laughing my ass off. God these guys are funny.
I am a huge fan of two song writers- Sondheim and Springsteen. One thing they have in common (besides being in a class by themselves) is the excellent songs they created but then cut from what they were creating them for. They also are both famously nice people. Being great AND very nice to other people is pretty rare.
Rorem reminds me of so many of the pompous music teachers at MacPhail in Minneapolis who drove me away from music studies. Sondheim, of blessed memory, by contrast, was so wonderful!
I love how, 30 mins in more or less, the interviewer is Sondheim xD
Thank You sir!
I like his interviews as much as his music...true genius
NED ROREM (correction) moderator - composer host who interviewed Steven Sondheim
Came for Stephen Sondheim and Anastasia and Dimitri....stayed because...of course.
Sondheim was correct about flower/hour. They rhyme. Both can be pronounced as one or two syllables. Pronouncing the (-ə) is optional. In any case they do rhyme.
Webster:
flow·er \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r
hour \ ˈau̇(-ə)r
( flour \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r)
Wow I had never heard the song cut from "Night Music" ("Silly People"). Has a bit of a "My Friends" vibe.
Wish they had included it on the recording
Wish they had included it in the wonderful show, dang it! I was so hoping that Ned would ask him why this important, wonderful song was cut. Seems such a Silly shame to me! ❤️
@@virghammer1 I think they only needed commentary from one of the characters - and The Miller's Son had to be it - a stunning number sung by a character we already have a bit of feeling for, unlike her "boyfriend of the moment, Frid, the local help who we barely have seen other than this. It would have slowed down the show to have both. And her passion is a much more visceral and thrilling contrast to the intellectual games of the folks in the House, than Frid's cold disdain.
@@neiltheise You're quite right. In the SMILES OF A SUMMER NIGHT film, Frid is given far more screen time & is quite boisterous and life-loving; his point of view is very similar to Petra's "let's grab the moment and make the most of it" attitude. And also, he isn't her "boyfriend of the moment" in the film, because eventually Petra pressures him into a proposal of marriage, making him her fiancé (not sure how long that lasts after the final fadeout, but never mind). The fact is, he's a "boyfriend of the moment" in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and he doesn't need a song. Also, though "Silly People" is a wonderful composition, it's somewhat dark in tone and rather analytical, bringing it into territory better suited to Henrik than a servant who just wants to get laid.
8:22 How was Milton Babbitt as a songwriter?
i love listening to SS, even when he says something I've heard him say before, sometimes more than once. How interesting that the interviewer is Ned Rorem. Very clever and witty man, terrible composer.
Yes, and Steve wipes the floor with him ten minutes in.
Well, sir… I certainly am not saying that Ned Rorem is my ultimate, personal favorite… though he is TRULY interesting, that’s for sure… But for goodness’ sake… I don’t know why you would want to put it quite that way. - Oh, well ….
“Women are good at consonants” lmfaoooo
Wow. I’ve never watched this before. Fantastic.
Fare thee well Ned Rorem
Sondheim is just eatttttting him up!
6:47 Sondheim talks about Babbitt
I am opposed to the death penalty, but I'd make an exception for the yahoo(s) who inserted commercials into the musical performances in this otherwise lovely hour. The song from "Pacific Overtures" reflected the structure of the hour itself -- Rorem and Sondheim, in effect, said "Your turn" to the singers periodically, and they replied in kind when they were done. One of the best-spent hours I can remember.
Use an ad blocking extension and the commercials will go away.
NED ROEM - moderator
I never understand why they use Liz for such deep and weighty music.
Her voice has no depth to me. It’s just a pretty Disney Princess. Not bad, just not deep. I never hear the nuances in Sondheim‘s work when she sings it. It’s just pretty and youthful.
She should never sing In Buddy’s Eyes!
I remember makes more sense in her voice.
24:20 Men have better diction than women?