West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Sunday in the Park and COMPANY are my absolute most favorite musicals. I was 13 when I watched the studio recording of Company. It was life-altering.
This fellow Seth Rudetsky is really talented, entertaining and informative. I'd never heard the "Bobby baby" in the background - it ups my appreciation for the arrangement and the fine-tuned unity of Company's music and theme. Thanks very much.
Goddamit, I've known loved played and sung this song forever and I never noticed the "Bobby, baby" in the trumpets. I literally paused the video and looked it up in my vocal score. Definitely more subtle than the "Someone Is Waiting" in "Being Alive." That's what I love about Sondheim. There's still more to learn music you've been listening to for years.
I love you, Seth, for your energy, love of Broadway, and fantastic sense of humor. But most of all, for the incredible teacher/coach that you are! I'll never forget your master class.
OMG that part where you mentioned the Bobby leitmotif in the orchestration completely blew my mind!!! I've sung this song and listened to it so many times and never noticed it! Thank you!!!
I noticed the Bobby reference a while back, but only because I played pit for the show and the musical quote was in my clarinet part! Love this song so much!
This video is amazing. I love how Sondheim and his orchestrations can blow your mind sometimes. Thanks for pointing out the mind blowing moments! Seriously, that "Bobby "part…
Your videos are a joy. You really should be creating and teaching a legit Music Theatre History or Materials of Music Theatre course. (Such a thing rarely exists, if at all - and I have a BFA Music Theatre '88!) I suffered through Theatre History and Music History in my training, but nothing spoke about what YOU are speaking about. Thank you!
This is amazing. You explain orchestrations so thoroughly for the layman. I love musicals but have no talent in that department so this explains why I love the songs that I love. Your enthusiasm and love for your subject is admirable.
Seth, you always amaze me with your penchant for little things in the big songs - and I've always loved Company - and this song - you have deconstructed it so well. Thanks for your insights on this and many other BW songs/shows.
Seth. You are such a talented and gifted performer to watch! I love your interpretations and excellent piano skills! I remember hearing you play with Ms. LuPone many years ago. I was so impressed by both of your performances and said as I walked out of the theatre, "What a beautiful performance by Patti and Seth, only needing their art and humanity to tell stories with their songs; her voice and a piano!"
I totally thought the same exact things you did re this song when I first heard it in music school 10,000 years ago. You're awesome. And your real life backdrop is amazing
So glad you found Jonathan’s counter-melody of the opening number. As I’m sure you’ve noticed him doing it in many other instances throughout this brilliant musical. Especially in Being Alive. Great job!! I played it regional on keyboards and LOVED it!!!! And worked with Jonathan Tunick on Night Music: a brilliant, kind, and extremely talented gentleman who was so helpful and knew every aspect of his orchestration, and knew how to really accompany and provide the paint for Sondheim’s canvas. I look forward to finding more of your insights.
Thank you so much Seth! I enjoy the deconstruction aspect. I'm a music lover, not a musician. Your segment adds more dimensions for me to love. During COVID-19, I've immersed myself in Broadway music. Sondheim's music has brought me so much joy (after the crying!) Thank you again. I just noticed this was from 2012. LOL But it doesn't matter at all. :)
Fun fact-the term “syncopated” is derived from “syncope” (fainting, swooning), not synchronicity (which is, actually, the opposite of what syncopation in music is), so it doesn’t have an “h” 😉
@@vinista256 Thanks for the correction of my unconscious typing. I don't know where to file this, under "Better late than never" or "The Seven Year Itch...finally scratched" :) Cheers!
I hope he's still doing these deconstructions (obv he's busy with stars in the house) cuz it's so amazing to hear the break down and how excited he is about it all.
You are incredible. I just discovered you in an article re: christine ebersole who you will be performing with in San Francisco. I live there. Geez..and the tickets are sold out.........You are a treasure...
John and I saw Company this month in Madrid (w/Antonio Banderas) and now it is time for me to get soaked in this analytical view. It adds yet another level to the experience. Thank you, Seth.
Very entertaining! I've watched this several times over and come back to it. I love this song and yes, it is the New York Theme Song! Who can ride the subway without ever having this tune come to mind? Seth's deconstruction is really astute too!!!
"We just repeat the same song three times until you like it" 😂 This deconstruction is amazing, really makes me appreciate the brilliance of this song. Thank you!
I have nothing to add. All you guys said everything I wanted to say. That makes us “kindred”. That’s what human connection is all about. We see, appreciate, celebrate the same things in the human experience.
Pam just directed Company at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH> I enjoyed that performance more than the Tony winning on at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. I asked how terrified the young lady was when she sang this for her, and Pam stated that it was only temporary. I don't remember the young lady's name, and my program is mislaid, but, not only did she greatly impress me, but she also was just a freshman. If a life in Theatre is her goal, this one may make it.
After watching this for the fourth time I realized the trumpet part with the „Bobby… etc.“ starts right at Friends of Friends who they never know and that kinda relates to the opening number where they’re all inviting Bobby to events
Brava!! Seth for noticing those little things and the smoking thing freaked me out when I saw the "Making Of" video as well. I was mostly thinking how could they have all that smoke around the singers especially since they had to do everything in one day (except for Elaine Stritch and, "Ladies Who Lunch"
Seth , I enjoyed your commentary on Company. I was a member of that Orchestra. In fact I am the one playing that low clarinet part. It is a Contra Alto Clarinet. It is used with a Bass Trombone in a cup mute and the string bass in pizz.. I am only visible during the last few moments, the fade ending. I had a goatee at the time. Don’t blink.
love this! can't stop laughing! Your findings are great and it makes me look at songs differently (in a better way) keep on doing what your doing! Sondheim is always a genius! You and Sondheim make a perfect video. You are so good at the piano! Can we be friends!!!??
Great and he must also be a string player! Can someone post 'Another Hundred Measures' which I just heard the other day. Looking forward to hearing his comments on 'At the Ballet'. Will look for 'Music and the Mirror' next
Hearing that main theme in the accompaniment for the first time was AMAZING after Seth pointed that out. It's like seeing something that was hidden in a picture, but with sound. I'm particularly partial to that sort of particular construction, and the other one I remember was from Lieutenant Kije's _Troika_ from this listening guide by the London Philharmonic ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-y-qe28e0cWM.html. I believe what Seth is referring to is called a Motif.
Growing up in the age of texting and facebook, it blew my mind to realize that the beginning of Company is actually a phone busy signal and NOT an alarm clock! Thanks Seth. Like, the heavenly voices just sounded so much like waking up from a dream, but now I guess it makes sense since when Bobby talks to Marta he says that the symbol of New York is a busy signal, and in a way Bobby just embodies New York, New York. Sample busy signal: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CU7F5qKX07w.html
