3 Review(s)

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.?Beginning with Sondheim's lyrics-only works EWest Side StoryE EGypsyE and EDo I Hear A WaltzE? through his scores for EA Little Night MusicE ESweeney ToddE EMerrily We Roll AlongE ESunday in the ParkE and EInto the WoodsE 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 ae from his early works EThe Likes of UsE and EJosephE to his smash hits EJesus Christ SuperstarE EEvitaE ECatsE and EThe Phantom of the OperaE among others ae are also thoroughly analyzed.?As 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 ESondheim and Lloyd-WebberE is a must-read for anyone interested in musical theater.