Sondheim teaches 'Later' from A Little Night Music

[anthonycutillo1]

I'm sorry but no matter how good of an actor you are, you cannot sing Sondheim. This guy obviously has little classical vocal training, and therefore can't preform the piece close to mediocre. His voice sounds like it's dying.

[ThePhantom135]

"We had everybody carrying an instrument around and it started getting....pretentious."

Tell that to John Doyle.

[superduffman22]

lol "a scandanavian breakdown"

[crackerpopskikay]

this guy is bad

[elh666]

I bet he's an actor more than a singer. You can just tell.

[wobblydog]

@elh666 - Neither I suspect. Can't take direction

[jakatak1134]

8:11 - 8:16 Songgasm

[TheNicholasRodriguez]

i would die to perform in front of Sondheim.

[TheNicholasRodriguez]

This guy is quite a bad singer...

[rebelsinger123]

The ideals of Sondheim are magical, completely magical. I'm learning more from this than I do normal lessons.

[JonnoGradian]

3:13... this audience has dirty minds XP

[hottieho13]

this guy is bad.his falsetto makes my ears hurt

[hottieho13]

I want to have Stephen Sondheim's babies before he dies,i love this man.

[r0llskyay0]

that chair looks terrible

[PrettyPearl244]

This guy's good, but I just have a problem with the way he hits those high notes. It sounds too choppy when he jumps from chest voice to head voice

[Laffing4Meds]

is it just me or does this guy sound a lot like the original Jekyl/Hyde?

[Laffing4Meds]

this guy sounds like the original Jekyl/Hyde. does anyone agree or am i just weird?

[Levraphael]

I've seen many performances of this musical and listened to many and this Henrik is the worst. He's dreadful, hysterical, over-acting, frantic, over-the-top, starting way too strong and not letting the song build in pathos and comedy. He needs a valium.

[jam90jaay]

@Levraphael

no he's not. he's very good and plus Sondheim is right there teach it to him, so if he was so bad would have told him. I know, Sondheim is veru honest.

[TommyBoy249r]

I LOVE STEPHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though he's 80 years old and i'm a man, i seriously want to marry him. Love. Him.

[hottieho13]

@TommyBoy249r well, if your gay your in luck!he"s gay and has a 32 year old boyfriend! i wish i was a man!he is sooo sexy

[firestartertwistedfi]

@hottieho13 seriously? lol

[lindenprof]

This young singer is talented, but notice how he keeps jumping into the character's anger. That's such a typical impulse in film/stage artists today. And Sondheim is calling him on it, as he should. Anger, attitude, sexiness, that seems to be the dramatic repertoire for most today. Real drama contains more subtlety though.

[bigblonde26]

From my experience w/ this play & Henrik, you're supposed to be a little weirded out by the character; I think this guy really captues how insane Henrik is.....

[yippedoodah]

This guy can hit serious high notes! He's sorta crazy looking though...

[katebushboi]

@yippedoodah It's only falsetto. Pretty much anyone could do that if they trained their voices in the right way. And he does look a bit terrifying!

[linnetgoon]

Good god, this young man is quite out of his mind. Look at his expressions!

[Grawp55]

Fascinating! Thank you! So interesting to hear Sondheim explain details...

[Luluismypomeranian]

I really liked his performance and i'm just being honest.

[fashionglindaguru]

This guy scares me! I'm totally being honest!

[Melensko]

this is my dream... to be able to do this one day.... learn from the master himself

[Angelus22]

It's funny that Sondheim himself thought the idea of assigning specific instruments to different characters was pretentious, and yet now we see directors who are reviving his musicals and using just that dramatic device (namely Sweeney Todd and Company.)

[smeggers0329]

thank you, i've also thought how ironic that is. Im not a fan, especially Sweeney Todd, its a score based somewhat on film scores so it should be full and loud, not lame and sparse

[adamskyb]

@Angelus22 Yes and the singers were horrible. I wish they would bring back the original.

[asmileisspecial]

*sigh* 8:11 is hilarious. Just hilarious!

[sbort]

LLOOLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO so so so funny.

he looks like a brilliant creeper enjoying the demise of someone he loves! LOL! <3

[proopsforpresident]

Jeez it's really creepyy

[proopsforpresident]

It's a bit scary to be honest!

[dudufallen]

I just love the way Sondheim watches the people singing in this videos lol

[aloha12214]

Gosh, to be directed by Stephen Sondheim would be soo amazing. He is a genius. I wish i could meet him before he dies, hes almost going on 80 already.

[asmileisspecial]

Same here! I really want to meet him. This sounds silly but every morning I wake up and get scared in case I turn in the TV and hear he has died :(

[KatherineXIX]

These days, that's not silly at all!

[carecare91]

dude, im with you on this one

[glmiri]

The man has the ability to explain what he wants so that one understands. amazing.

[dragonhalfchao]

hey is this a dvd or vhs? Where can i buy the full thing?

[bflo710]

what a fucking AMAZING opportunity... god that would make my life..... jesus.. the kid's okay.. this song is fucking impossible

[haastyle2006]

Sondheim is a genius, but it's hard to work with an off-pitch and accented singer...

[bobbystormont]

That's a HORRIBLE note at around 5:35 - there's just no excuse for that, on anyone's part.

[rakshasa7]

Yup, there is, actually. That's the way Sondheim wrote it. I've heard it in two productions, one in the West End, and one in local theatre. It's jarring, but it's intentional.

[bobbystormont]

In that case, Sondheim is in the wrong - musicians and singers should take the liberty of changing it.

[rakshasa7]

Forgive me, but let's agree to disagree. Sondheim pitched that note to show Henrik's discordance with the rest of the world in his frustration. And you should *never* perform something in a way different from what the composer wrote in front of the composer; he'll always correct you, and besides, it's rude.

Oh - and a singer *IS* a musician, thank you very much. We just use a different instument. :-)

[eragon841]

Ehm, do you mean that the note is off pitch, or simply that it is dissonant?

[rakshasa7]

Dissonant, and thank you for asking.

[eragon841]

I was referring to bobbystormont's first comment. To me it seems a bit simple to label a note as "horrible", dissonance is usullay needed to make the music move forward. You don't want to listen to 3 hours of consonant chords (unless you are a fan of Morton Feldman).

[hellooldfashion]

what sodheim writes, goes :)

[hellooldfashion]

oops, *Sondheim, with a "d" :)

[henrysvg]

facepalm

[jhlds1512]

Anyone know where i could find the sheet music for this online? I've only found it on amazon in the full score so far and that's $75!!

[rakshasa7]

Try Bookfinder or ABE online. Or, if you live in Portland, OR, Powell's music books shop.

[Divinedancedivas]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for posting this!

[BleakleyCutler]

later henrick later

haha love it

[AtLastOnTheGround]

I totally just got that the cello is a symbol for his schlong (you-know-what) when Sondheim says "that's when he grabs his cello and starts pumping away at it". Brilliant.

[pjcgatsby]

sondheim's critique is right on the mark. the singer has a good voice & he's very handsome, but is in service to himself rather than to the character. he doesn't get what sondheim tells him about a scandinavian breakdown. if henrik had the energy which the singer demonstrates, he wouldn't be as stuck as the character is supposed to be. the singer has the look of someone who could go places, but i don't think he will artistically, at leas, tbecause of his unwillingness to let go of himself.

[LaLunaDellaNotte]

So wonderful & informative to watch! wish I could take a master class from Sondheim! :)

[jhlds1512]

all of you who are saying he's awful are the ones questioning Sondheim, not him!

[fromthefirstmoment]

Woah, this dude is awful.

[brth77]

This guy was great...i don't understand why people are calling him cocky towards Sondheim. He took direction extremely well and asked questions because he wanted to understand the character more fully. I would rather ask Sondheim questions about a character that he created rather than doing something that I do not understand.

[wobblydog]

@brth77 sorry but even after three attempts to take the anger out of the "all you ever hear is later Henrik" he cannot do it, he has programmed himself to perform it one way and there is no flexibility, If anything he is too dumb to take any changes on board, A performer who has a sharper character would pick up on what is being said and deliver on the second run not still getting angry on the third.

Not surprised we have not really heard of this performer since.

[guacamoleroxmysox]

the way Sondheim looks at him and tilts his head shows just how much of a brilliant man he is. This is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and I think this guy was incredible, he took direction well and it was amazing.

[kbsabin]

I much enjoyed the rendition--it sounds almost note-for-note like the British recording from the mid-70s--and I don't think the singer's arguing w/ Sondheim but feeling his way (and Sondheim's reactions affirm this).

[biancacom333]

yeah. you could kind of tell, this is a guy who thinks he's a lot better than he actually is, probably not use to people giving him advice, i mean come on...he questioned SONDHEIM. if sondheim told me to play anne a little sluttier, i'd do it! plus good lord he couldn't sing, even the lower stuff, and he's playing emotions. he's "being" mad etc. can't believe these students were from such a prestigious school.

[fiorsolas87]

towards the end he starts looking at the piano player... that is a huge sign of a bad attitude.

[kattleweiner2]

haha when Sondheim says "grabs his cello and starts pumping away" some guy in the back interprets it a little differently :)

[krealle]

interprets it exactly as Sondheim intended. Henreich is a sexually frustrated character.

[doomwhatelse]

Honestly, though I am a very critical person, I really think that this man has talent. Not only that, but the third time he started, he really did take the direction well. He completely changed the tone behind his words and reworked major phrases on the spot, which is impressive.

As to the falsetto, he's still young, and those notes are meant for an experienced opera singer.

Though he IS very cocky towards Sondheim (even questioning the direction!) the guy is NOT painful to listen to.

[MushroomLake]

Love this song!

[Saiyne]

Down boy!

Sorry, couldn't help myself. I'm not one to talk though, I can't act either... *raises eyebrow*

[exiron0202]

He keeps saying "yeah", "uhuh", "yes", but is ye really listening? He can't take direction. You can really manage with any voice; one would just say that he has more of an actor's voice than a singer's voice. The problem is that he can't act.

[nicolette1018]

Hahahah!! I can't help but laugh near the end. Starting 8:11, Sondheim looks like he's mentally telling the guy 'what a load of crap this is!' And when he finally says in the end 'that's terrific..and then he coughs, it seemed like he was trying to convince himself to believe what he just said...that yeah this guy is terrific...yeah right!

[Saiyne]

This is why if something tells you you're good, you should never take it seriously...

ACK!!! HIGH NOTE! *dies*

[keauxgeigh]

Sondheim=Genius. Genius like I can't even conceive. So meticulous. Must have been really hard for the singer, but it'll make him a better singer.

[NSResponder]

I'm sure the singer throughly enjoyed the lesson.

-jcr

[yamiwings18]

oi his accent sort of ruined it when he sand but he has a good voice

[GreyEyesCrying]

that poor guy....lol, he does well, but needs some work, both singing AND facial expressions...I thought he was going to pass out!

[downinahole193]

that guy's falsetto was *painful* to listen to. but i enjoyed that rest of it.

[jmervini]

wow. sondheim is being extremely kind. this guy is absolute crap! i dont think ive been more uncomfortable watching or listening to something before in my life!

[TJSimulation]

I think he has singing talent, but he just sounds like he's singing the wrong way. It seems like he's possibly singing from his throat instead of his diaphragm.

[rlee1976]

@jmervini

I don't know why this asshole chose to sing this song when he doesn't even have the notes! He sang the top in falsetto... wtf

[aprendizdepianista]

sondheim wrote the piano part that play the pianist too?. The harmony and the changes of moods are incredible.

[chocopopo]

This guy is a bit cocky, but I have to say very talented.

Sondheim is hilarious and looking pretty gorgeous, as usual.

[ronwilliams753]

I Can't wait to see 'A Little Night Music' again. Brilliant!

[nightcrawler42]

was this ever a dvd? I hope it was

[theatre14u]

am i the only person who thinks that sondheim is one of the sexiest men in the world...aside from poe, ortega, and einstein...lol

[mytimesteps]

He has a charisma,especially in the company dvd. love that turtleneck he wears. Definately doable from this point back. I think he looks sort of scruffy these days.

[theatre14u]

yeah...actually he looks really scruffy, and fat...kind of like patrick stumph in his early career..lol (spell check)

[dreyfoostheatra]

ha no i want to have his children; before he dies :/

[bigblonde26]

Ya forgot Oscar Wilde!:D

[hottieho13]

@theatre14u omg i thought I was the only one who found him sexy!!!!!

[livetheatre]

the teaching that these students received was priceless!

[jazzitlikeopera]

The frustration in that boy when Sondheim was telling him he needs to do better.... :-D

Leave it to Sondheim to break down these singers opinion of themselves lol.

[Saiyne]

*touches her ear*

Hmmm... Yes.

[Sondheimgirl]

Omg I lOVE Sondheim!!! he is a GOD!!

now...look at the face he makes at 8:10 it is HILARIOUS!!! Like soooooooo funny....i cried i swear!

[mytimesteps]

I just fell off my chair!! 8:10-LMAO!! Still I would love to have Sondheim make that face at me!!

[ImhotepsAshes]

He looks kind of like the gnome version of Simon Callow at 8:10.

[lainieyeoh]

i had an awfully good laugh too, that expression is great

[maryjivinjane]

Is it kosher to use so much falsetto? I mean he nailed it, it just caught me off-guard.

[krealle]

Completely kosher to use that much falsetto.

[theleadingplayer]

really though?

[krealle]

Yes? It said that you replied to my comment... but I'm not seeing how really though...

[theleadingplayer]

krealle: haha sorry I had to look through all of this because I couldn't figure out what I was replying to. But with regards to the falsetto, in that the musical is actually closer to an operetta, I feel like Sondheim wrote the song intending the part to be sung full voice. However, I guess it's kosher if the acting can make up for it, but in this case I feel as though he falls short.

[TriquadKatie]

what a brilliant song!

i love sondheim. what an amazing composer

[orca1142]

Wow sondheim's music is soo amazingly un-hummable. Yet its so complex and difficult. I wonder why he does that.

[saigonbabe]

this is great for sondheim lovers and students/actors alike-thanks for posting

[solitudinarian]

Sondheim is a genious no doubt anymore to me! I would sell my niece to any obscure shaik for his harem to get the chance of one lesson!!!

[JayMair]

fook me i av 2 sing this song in january...as i am henrik in my uni production of a little nite music! quite scared lol

[GaminattheBarricades]

Yay--Sondheim!

Love his expressions--it'd be awesome to read a theatre review by him

I heard he wrote puzzles and I'd be curious about how they'd be.

[luffy210]

I love how sondheim says that people carrying instruments around is really pretentious.

oh, foreshadowing...

[vendettealouette]

i thought the same! it made me laugh.

[Awakening126]

How was that comment foreshadowing? Forgive me, I'm not a Sondheim aficionado (yet...I'm working it).

[chimpshrimp]

I think luffy210 is referring to the recent Broadway revival of Sondheim's Company, in which the actors also played instruments, and would often carry them around even when acting in a scene (the oddest to me was April walking into Bobby's apartment with a tuba, before they sleep together on Bobby's piano).

[tinytimton]

This was also the case with the 2005 Revival of Sweeney Todd, also directed by John Doyle, who directed the Company revival.

[actressgrl]

what was the case???? do tell!

[blackpython]

I think they just meant the whole "the actors playing the instruments" thing.

[bassman462]

when I saw this, henrick was holding the bow wrong, haha. I figured that's at least someone from the pit could show him how to hold it.

[DannyHiggs]

"That's what prompts him to grab his cello furiously and start pumping away at it." I love it!

[MatthewwMatthew]

Thanks for quoting the video we already saw.

[LuPoneLips]

I really love this. I always knew cellists were hot...

[jmdixon]

He certainly seems like a much better actor than a singer - but a good actor, though.

[jrblover]

Love the Sondheim teaching videos. Keep them coming!