Firstly, my apologies: Sheryl 'Crow' is the correct spelling. The Harold Arlen song ("One for My Baby") is one of a handful of such masterpieces in the genre in the 20th century (IMO). Another is his "The Man That Got Away" (from 'A Star is Born') sung by the incomparable Garland. As I grow older I'm bored by "The Beatles", sorry, and think them over-rated generally. My mother said this 30 years ago!! (Remember George Martin?) I love the key changes and moves to remote tonal places - not to mention witty, mordant, plangent, sophisticated lyrics - which occur with the great songwriters from 'tin pan alley'. Think of Kern, Gershwin, Porter (especially), Berlin et al. Geniuses all.
I agree with your comments about "Candide" - BUT Lennie Bernstein was a great, great composer for the musical theatre and I have to excuse him for this sin, or any others, for this very reason.
One of the great joys of knowing and understanding art music is one's ability to transpose that knowledge into its effects upon modern compositional influences and musical styles. You are quite right in identifying an inevitable path from, say, Korngold (just to name one) and his conservatoire training, right back to Beethoven. Isn't he the star in the musical firmament, par excellence? (As is JSB). As you suggest, this could be a separate thread all on its own - go for it!!
I agree with your comments about "Candide" - BUT Lennie Bernstein was a great, great composer for the musical theatre and I have to excuse him for this sin, or any others, for this very reason.
One of the great joys of knowing and understanding art music is one's ability to transpose that knowledge into its effects upon modern compositional influences and musical styles. You are quite right in identifying an inevitable path from, say, Korngold (just to name one) and his conservatoire training, right back to Beethoven. Isn't he the star in the musical firmament, par excellence? (As is JSB). As you suggest, this could be a separate thread all on its own - go for it!!
Comment