Hans
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"Most satisfying score"jcstar asked a very interresting question in the ALW forum but didn't get an answer, so I try here once again.
What do you think is meant by the phrase "most satisfying score"?
To pick an uncontroversial example: Many people may think Cabaret is Kander and Ebb's most satisfuing theatrical score. Nothing is wrong with that, but the interresting thing is why one thinks Cabaret is the most satisfying score.
I don't have an answer to this, but as this is a musicals forum, people's views are very interresting.
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Ulla Dance Again!
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I think it is a matter of opinion, like you said, the reason behind why one thinks a certain piece by a composer is his or hers most satisfying piece.
Since I'm a fan of Cabaret and worked on the show, I can tell you, in my opinion, that it is Kander & Ebb's most satisfying score because it captures the heart of a dishelved club and a country at the brink of war. It mirrors perfectly what people were feeling at the time (a sense of "hopelessness" as found in the song "I Don't Care Much"). Of course, someone else could disagree and say Kander & Ebb's Chicago score or Kiss of the Spider Woman makes for a more satisfying piece of musical theatre.
As far as ALW's scores go, I'm really not much of fan of any of them, but Cats stands out because it's just unlike anything else - not just story-wise but musically too. It's sort of all over the place - and sometimes it gets repetive (such as the song "Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats"). Is it the most satisfying piece? Probably not... but that's just an opinion.
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Hans
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Thanks
It is nice to get an answer at all.
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rock_musicals
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I do LOVE Cabaret's score, but I don't think its the most satisfying- I never thought the score changed signifigantly (sp?) through out different songs.
I pick Hair. It contains so many styles of music- rock, soul, ballad, world music, etc.
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jcstar
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Wow! A thread I started has mutated!
Thasnk you for starting it here!
Andy.
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Salome
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I'm a huge Kander and Ebb fan so its hard to choose a favorite or most satisfying score..but I tihnk Spiderwoman edges out the rest.
but you are right only Spiderwoman,Chicago and Cabaret can hold the title..Zorba,Flora,Steel Pier,70 Girls 70 are all strong but not as satisfying over all as the 'big three".
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Hans
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| rock_musicals wrote: | | I pick Hair. |
Please, don't misunderstand me, I really appreciate getting answers in this thread. It's just that I am not interrested in which musicals people will nominate as their pick for "most satisfying score. I'm interrested in what the phrase "most satisfying score" means to everyone.
| rock_musicals wrote: | | It contains so many styles of music- rock, soul, ballad, world music, etc. |
Do you mean eclecticism is what makes a score satisfying?
(I don't actually disagree, I'm just curious.)
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Salome
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I feel the term aplies to a score that is structured well in the text..a score that has little low points, that have songs that are both enjoyable and apporopiate to the character or scenerio.
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rock_musicals
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I do think it should be structured well. But it should have an array of music in the score.
and what Salome said.
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Pounce
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| Dvarg wrote: | | It's just that I am not interrested in which musicals people will nominate as their pick for "most satisfying score. I'm interrested in what the phrase "most satisfying score" means to everyone. |
Well, to "satisfy" is to fulfill some need or requirement. So someone who finds a score satisfying must be looking for a show with a very strong score to fulfill some musical need. That is, a show where the songs are very prominent and possibly could even stand on their own. The last show I saw was Dirty Rotten Scoundrels which to me didn't have a satisfying score because none of the songs were memorable or had catchy tunes. In short, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels could have worked even without the songs. A sing-through however rests a great deal on the score so it needs a strong score to be successful. I suppose others might demand that the score fits in context with the show to be satisfying. Since this is very important to Sondheim, his scores would be satisfying to some. But I think the song must have legs of its own to stand apart from the show otherwise the music could be just singsong with clever rhyming verses and that to me wouldn't be satisfying.
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Hans
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| jcstar wrote: | | Thasnk you for starting it here! |
Thank you for having brought up the subject in the first place! It's very interresting.
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The REAL Ciaron
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| Pounce wrote: | | In short, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels could have worked even without the songs. |
The same could be said of "Gypsy". Although that show has one of the most satisfying scores around.
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Salome
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| The REAL Ciaron wrote: | | Pounce wrote: | | In short, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels could have worked even without the songs. |
The same could be said of "Gypsy". . |
and 1776 and king and I.
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Annie
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Ragtime and West Side Story come to mind for me.
annie
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Pounce
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| broadway_kid wrote: | Ragtime and West Side Story come to mind for me.
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WSS without the songs? I think it would be diminished.
I'm unfamiliar with Gypsy.,Ragtime,King and I, and 1776. To me the songs in Dirty Rotten Soundrels didn't add much to the show so for me, they could have been left out.
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dantheman
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Yeah, most songs in DRS didn't add much to the plot, but I thought they were great. I really enjoyed that score.
And I think broadway_kid might mean that WSS and Ragtime have satisfying scores. And I agree, especially with Ragtime. There are very few, if any low points, at least as far as songs go, and the songs fit the lyrics very well, IMO.
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Annie
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| dantheman wrote: |
And I think broadway_kid might mean that WSS and Ragtime have satisfying scores. And I agree, especially with Ragtime. There are very few, if any low points, at least as far as songs go, and the songs fit the lyrics very well, IMO. |
Thanks! Yep, that's what I meant. Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention to the thread developments. Thanks for clarifying for me!
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Eponine93
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I think Les Miz and Miss Saigon have very satisfying scores that convey emotion, have depth and are beautiful but at the same time serve as dialogue, moving the story along.
| Quote: | The REAL Ciaron wrote:
Pounce wrote:
In short, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels could have worked even without the songs.
The same could be said of "Gypsy". .
and 1776 and king and I. |
I agree about 1776. Either way, its a great plot and the characterizations are great (particurally John Adams.) However, the music is really catchy and keeps it from becoming a boring, middle school American history class come alive.
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