I want this interviewer to be the only person to interview the Hamilton cast because they get to talk and really explore good questions. I LOVE IT SO MUCH
I can imagine that overcoming that has been part of what him focus so well, and be able to translate a concept to a full piece. This probably was one of the reasons Lin loves to work with him. Maybe its presumptive of me to put that in Lin's mouth - but let's be fair - Lin had options. He went to Alex because of who Alex was - and the lengths he would go to in pursuit of the right composition to tell the story Lin was presenting. Pretty amazing.
The interviewer is phenomenal. It’s clear she doesn’t have a huge music education background, but she approaches each topic he brings up with such curiosity and enthusiasm that she leads him into such amazing answers. It helps that Lacamoire seems like a genuinely nice guy who really wants to teach and break it down for us. But the interviewer hitting the ball back with so much curiosity is such a huge part of why this interview is good. She should interview everyone.
I now understand why Alex and Lin can make such a masterpiece together. They both have this passion, unbridled and curious... I can imagine them starting Hamilton as a project like two kids discovering...
We have to admit that we don't give Lacamoire enough credit for all the credit he gives to Hamilton the musical. I recognize the genius of Lin Manuel but in reality he would be nothing without Lacamoire at his side. His orchestration is the model for the future major orchestrations, the amounts of tools and trics and resources he adds to each song makes the whole difference. Can you imagine that first White House presentation in 2009 without Lac's piano in there?, no you can't ,because as ingenious as the song was, the piano was what really created the whole atmosphere. Maybe not now but I bet that in the future the historians of Broadway would recognize his importance in Hamilton the musical is so big that they would refer to Hamilton as the Miranda-Lacamoire show!! '
Seriously, and this is no shot at Lin he deserves every ounce of praise he gets, but this guy is the unsung genius of Hamilton and so many musicals. Alex is so talented and comes across as such a nice guy. I loved watching this
So let's just if say you, hypothetically of course, listen to the Hamilton soundtrack a few million times, you would start realising that as brilliant as the melodies and lyrics are, so very much of the genius is how the songs are arranged. GIVE THIS MAN A TONY!
YES! BEST INTERVIEWER. I wish they were all like her, give guests their space, and not try to be in the spotlight during the interview. Congratulations
Visited this video right after I watched "Unimaginable: How Hamilton Makes You Cry Part 3." Can't believe how powerful and meaningful people are still discovering Hamilton to be.
Watching him talk about his contributions is so similar and so different from watching Lin doing the same. They're both so excited and passionate and eager to share. It's so fascinating. I spent the whole time grinning like "Look at this giant nerd. He's so happy and it's so contagious."
My gosh, I’ve not watched a video this joyful in a LONG time...I feel like I’m sitting at the feet of a master and listening to him dropping GOLD! What a warm, lovely human being he is and the smile and look of awe on the interviewer’s face throughout is SO Me right now!
What a beautiful interview. So happy that we got even a small glimpse into his creative genius! Listening to him break down & play music was out of the this world. I'm in awe.
WOW. I never realized how much work goes into orchestration arranging the music! I wish more people know how much of a GENIUS Alex is too because he's freaking amazing dang
Yes!! My brother does orchestration for big movies, and the composers get all the glory. His name is often not even in the credits, while the composer gets top billing. The composers come up with the concept, but the orchestrators make it a reality. They figure out how the song translates to each and every instrument, and it's a massive undertaking! Totally under-appreciated and relatively unknown. I didn't know about it till my brother went into it, either.
He has hearing loss, and is an actual musical genius. Mad respect 👏 The orchestrations & choreography in Hamilton are more than 50% of the genius of the show. Both Andy & Alex are amazingly talented.
The only thing I didn't like about this was that they didn't have enough time! Haha. Wish the interview could have gone one for two hours. Alex is a gem. Great interview!!!
This was such a good interview! Alex has always been so talented and I'm so happy he's finally getting the recognition he's worked so hard for! And huge props to the interviewer for allowing him to showcase his gift and celebrating it so beautifully. I love this show!
When I saw the WH performance by Lin-Manuel and Alex Lacamoire, I was amazed and entranced by Alex (I couldn't even "hear" the beat -- it was like jazz and was ever-changing -- and Alex was so intrinsically 'tuned in' to Lin-Manuel and the ever-changing rhythms) that I immediately researched him after the video was over to see who this amazing pianist was (not only was he 'attuned to' Lin-Manuel, but he seemed to be enjoying himself and Lin and their collaboration so much that the piano notes and chords were instinctive and part of his soul). So glad to hear this video where Alex talks about his own craft and work with other artists.
I have watched this video so many times already over last year during the height of my Hamilton obsession. I'm getting into Dear Evan Hansen now and am eagerly anticipating the OBCR. In the meantime, I'm going back to Alex Lacamoire's interviews. What an absolute genius. Should out to BroadwaygirlNYC for such a great interview as well. You can truly see that she is a fan of Broadway. She gives Alex all the time he needs to share what he wants to say and asks really incisive questions.
I frigging love Alex! He's so talented and it really upsets me how overlooked he is! He's so enthusiastic and passionate about what he does. He's definitely my new inspiration!
I don't know if it was just because I am a pit orchestra musician, but I found this interview so interesting. I loved listening to how he arranges and layers the strings and percussion. Thank you so much for posting this video
He can teach so much to anyone in music, especially in musical theatre! As a songwriter myself I love seeing how someone can create the scale of full orchestrations, amazing stuff!
What an absolute gentleman. So wildly talented and yet humble, and so kind. We need more Alex Lacamoires in the world. I’m grateful for all he does, he’s worked on so many of my favorite shows from Hamilton to Wicked, to Dear Evan Hansen... I’m forever a fan of his; was a privilege to hear him speak and play in this interview. 🎼🎹🙏🏻
I love this format of Alex Lacamoire at the piano talking about his process. So interesting and informative! I would really enjoy this for other composers, orchestrators, etc. aswell.
I’m awestruck. Literally my mouth was open during the entire interview. Hamilton is a team of genius that actually work together and that’s why it’s so big! Oh my gosh
i just KNEW he would play that figure from Quiet Uptown when asked about his favorite music moment. One time on periscope he said that was his favorite song, so I assumed that opening would be his favorite moment.
When he started playing around 35:30 I instantly started crying. I agree on “there’s something so special about that line” but what evoked emotion for me the first time I heard it wasn’t the line, it was the chord progression. It just rips my heart apart and breaks it into million pieces that cannot be mended. The tears are instantaneous! He’s just so talented, and from all interviews this one was definitely my favorite!
When he played a few chords from Dear Evan Hansen, I almost started crying. I love Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen was such a beautiful show. People are really in for a treat this Fall. I can't wait to see it again!
This guy and Lin made Hamilton what it is.I Know there's a lot of other people behind a musical but these two are special to me because of the creative part.Lin creating amazing lyrics and placing all the rhymes and phrases together and Alex creating amazing melodies and managing all the instruments.And what is incridible is that they know each other since In the heights,so if they worked together in Hamilton after Heights...we can have hope to see them together again in another project.All i know is that they're geniuses and big inspirations to me.
Really thank you so much for doing this interview! I'm a new hamilton fans and one thing that I notice first is how beautiful and amazing the songs are arranged. This interview makes me respect alex more. He truly is one of a kind and i'm so grateful he become part of one of the greatest musical ever made
I just found Hamilton on July 5, 2018. Going to see the show at The Benedum theater in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on Sunday, January 27, 2019. I’m ecstatic 🤗. Sally Merrison Butler PA
Outstanding interview - outstanding talent - outstanding humbleness and gratefulness on Alex Lacamoire's part for having the opportunity, talent, and involvement in this 'revolutionary' musical! Thank you for sharing this intimate interview!
Alex is amazingly brilliant in terms of how he thinks of music and arrangements, and orchestrations. I'm just so in awe of how his mind works. He's on a whole other level of talent that I only wish I could be like. I mean bravo!! It's incredible
I'm a latecomer to the Hamilton party, but am now doing a deep dive into all things related to it including this interview. What an outstanding interview! I learned a lot about the music side of a musical and am in awe of Alex's talent. (Laura Heywood is a great interviewer BTW.)