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Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and work of Titan of Musical Theatre, Stephen Sondheim.

All this week, Donald Macleod will be reflecting back on an interview he did with Stephen Sondheim in 2010 and updating the story of how Sondheim revolutionised the world of Musical Theatre.

It all began when, in an unimaginable stroke of luck, Oscar Hammerstein became a surrogate father figure to the young and drifting youngster. Sondheim credited Hammerstein with having taught him virtually everything he knew about lyric writing. And it was through Hammerstein that Sondheim came to the attention of Leonard Bernstein, who was looking for someone to write the lyrics for West Side Story, and famously the young Sondheim got the job.
The seeds were sown and dice were cast.

A Little Night Music: Send in the Clowns
Frank Sinatra

Saturday Night: It's That Kind of Neighbourhood
Maurice Yeoman, Simon Grieff, Jeremy David, Ashleigh Sendin, Tracie Bennett, James Millard, Mark Haddigan

Saturday Night: What More Do I Need?
Anna Francolini, Sam Newman, Saturday Night World Premiere Recording Company

West Side Story: Jet Song
Max Goberman, Mickey Calin, Original Broadway Cast of West Side Story
Leonard Bernstein: Conductor

West Side Story: Something's Coming:
Larry Kert, Max Goberman, Original Broadway Cast of West Side Story
Leonard Bernstein: Conductor

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Free
Nathan Lane

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Lovely
Jessica Bogart, Jim Stanek

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum: Pretty Little Picture
Jessica Bogart, Jim Stanek, Nathan Lane

Anyone Can Whistle: There's Always a Woman
Madeline Kahn, Bernadette Peters
American Theatre Orchestra
Paul Gemignani, Conductor

Do I Hear a Waltz?
Elizabeth Allen

Company: Barcelona
Dean Jones, Susan Browning
Company Orchestra
Harold Hastings, conductor

Company: Ladies Who Lunch
Elaine Stritch
Company Orchestra
Harold Hastings, conductor

Company: Being Alive
Dean Jones
Company Orchestra
Harold Hastings, conductor

Producer: Rosie Boulton

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Mon 7 Sep 202616:00

Broadcast

  • Mon 7 Sep 202616:00

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