Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions

Sondheim on Music: Minor Details and Major Decisions

<span>From his early work as lyricist for </span><span style="font-style:italic;">West Side Story </span><span>to acclaimed creations such as </span><span style="font-style:italic;">A Little Night Music</span><span>, </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Sunday in the Park with George, </span><span>and </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Sweeney Todd</span><span>, Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as the most important figure in musical theater since the second half of the 20th century. Who better to discuss this prolific artist’s work than the master himself? </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Sondheim on Musi</span><span>c</span><span style="font-style:italic;">: Minor Details and Major Decisions</span><span> is a collection of interviews conducted by Mark Eden Horowitz, senior music specialist in the music division of the Library of Congress. In these guided conversations, Sondheim expounds in great depth and detail on his craft. As a natural teacher, thoughtful and opinionated, Sondheim discusses the art of musical composition, lyric writing, the collaborative process of musical theater, and how he thinks about his own work. The entire scope of Sondheim’s career is covered here, in which Sondheim’s greatest works are discussed—from </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Passion, Assassins, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd</span><span>, and </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Pacific Overtures</span><span> to </span><span style="font-style:italic;">A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Follies, Anyone Can Whistle</span><span>, and </span><span style="font-style:italic;">A Little Night Music</span><span>. Sondheim even provides thoughts about the film adaptations of his works, such as </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Sweeney Todd</span><span>. The book also features an entire chapter on </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Bounce</span><span>, the previous incarnation of his latest musical, </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Road Show</span><span>. </span><br /><br /><br /><span>Preserving the essential elements of the previous volumes, this edition includes all of the interviews—verbatim—and features a revised introduction and a postlude with an additional conversation. Finally in paperback, </span><span style="font-style:italic;">Sondheim on Musi</span><span>c</span><span style="font-style:italic;">: Minor Details and Major Decisions, The Less Is More Edition </span><span>is a must-have for fans of these creative genius. </span>