Publisher's Synopsis
In this third volume of the distinguished The Great Songwriters series musicologist Stephen Citron takes on two leading contributors to the lyric stage Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd-Webber. By exploring the works of these two giants of musical theater and those of their contemporaries Citron also simultaneously guides readers along the winding path of musical theater.ÞBeginning with Sondheim's lyrics-only works ÊWest Side StoryÊ ÊGypsyÊ and ÊDo I Hear A WaltzÊ? through his scores for ÊA Little Night MusicÊ ÊSweeney ToddÊ ÊMerrily We Roll AlongÊ ÊSunday in the ParkÊ and ÊInto the WoodsÊ among other classic musicals Citron presents major milestones of musical theater exploring the influence of the artist's youthful training and private life upon his creative output. Lloyd-Webber's musical contributions ä from his early works ÊThe Likes of UsÊ and ÊJosephÊ to his smash hits ÊJesus Christ SuperstarÊ ÊEvitaÊ ÊCatsÊ and ÊThe Phantom of the OperaÊ among others ä are also thoroughly analyzed.ÞAs in Citron's previous critically acclaimed books in this series the artists'works are clarified and put into context with their contemporaries. Complete with a quadruple chronology that reveal Sondheim's and Lloyd-Webber's lives within the scope of world events copious quotations from their works and many never-before-published illustrations ÊSondheim and Lloyd-WebberÊ is a must-read for anyone interested in musical theater.
