This, & the other (related) YouTube video, are a fascinating 'lesson' in the difference in performance - styles & outcome - if a song is sung by an ‘actor who can sing’ or ‘a singer who can act’!
Quite fascinating! You can see from their performances that their ultimate strengths lie in slightly different areas.
Personally I believe her voice is more like that of classic contralto Marian Anderson and more suited to classical vocal pieces rather than broadway music that requires a greater emotive depth than more traditional music. As for Sondheim he is a complete genius and absolute professional in the instruction of the music.
@operadood Guess I'm not familiar with the musical it comes from. I think the first version I heard had a male vocalist so it influenced my perception of the song.
lol he focuses so much on pronunciation. Imagine if Thom Yorke came on to sing these it would be like 9 hours of sondheim teaching Yorke to pronounce words correctly
@gojedason123 its cause writers love the audience knowing what they wrote. same with david mamet, who would be happy if actors just spoke his words loudly and clearly.
Beautiful sound...... too bad this song is not at all about singing. She has almost NO idea what this piece is about. See Judi Dench.... nuff said. This is all about acting and understanding. Not beauty of tone. I'm surprised they let her get up and sing this for him when she clearly has not done the work on the material.
I love Sondheim I really do. I love his work. and I love the way he is teaching these students. I really want to sing one of his songs, and have him teach it to me.. =]
She has an amazingly beautiful timbre, especially in the bottom tones. But, she's more concerned with the beauty of her voice, than acting the song. She won't make an uncomfortable or unpleasant sound, even if it's highly appropriate to the meaning of the words.
watching a genius at work, or rather play, is inspiring. I teach golf, I want to be able to communicate with passion and wisdom as he does. I could watch this all day every day. Thanx AllanWo
saneguy415, very nice of you to reply in such a complimentary and thoughtful way. My hope is that everyone does what they love to do in life and that we all draw inspiration from one another. I hope your life is full and rewarding, and again, thank you very much, your comments inspire me to keep going, and love what I do even more!
looking at this video it makes me feel that i have been given entrance to a very personal and secret world...(Thank you) ..the entrance that has been given me merits no criticism of this world...I am not a singer and i don't think you need to be one to know that everyone who partook in the making of this video are working towards one goal...
It was written that way because the original actress couldn't handle singing it in a sustained manner. As marv1984 points out, Sondheim is sitting right there, and he has a smile on his face the entire time she sings; he obviously approves of her performance.
@RoseofGilead it wasn't because the actress had limitations and couldn't sing it in a sustained manner, it was because of the "emotionality" of the situation, to use his phrasing. This is a woman who is angry and hurt, has she would be breathless and choppy, not sustained and lilting. There's a video where he discusses this.
the composer is NEVER satisfied because the tune is his child in every way....even the Beatles considered most of their songs "fillers"...the brilliance showed through
Well, opera or not, you're definitely right about one thing...bland. I really think there should be more subtlety. I see her trying to interpret, but it seems overdone in the vocal department and underdone in the emotional department.
Sondheim really knows his stuff (obviously)...what I wouldn't give to do a workshop with him!
Anyway, she has a lovely instrument, and really seemed to improve by the end. She listened and fixed what he told her to, so that's excellent.
To porkisgood4u, I want to respectfully disagree with you. I feel that I love music, but there are many things I don't like about it. One should not have to blindly say they love everything about this artform. However, I agree with this one, Sondheim is knows his stuff
God, I love her voice! Those low notes in head voice...wow. She might not have the acting chops/emotion, but I for one am kind of sick of seeing women who can't really sing do it.
do you even know about opera enough to be able to say that? There is nothing operatic about this woman's performance, only bland vibrato. This is not opera in anyway.
I really can't stand her voice but then I've never been one for the heavy/heady female voices. But good for her for doing that in front of an audience AND camera... that takes guts.
For sure.. I think the pinnacle of my career would be being asked to sing for Sondheim, himself. I'd be terrified, but I'm sure he's used to that, haha.
She does have a good voice, but I think she is just singing the song, rather than performing it. Of course, this could be because she merely learned the song and did not research the story behind it or the character that sings it. Of course, she could also just be nervous to step out of herself because she is singing in front of a famous man.
I do vocal performance coaching. Having a pretty voice does not equal good theatre. She sings almost every line the same way, with much vibrato. Vibrato conveys a big emotion but this song is more about intellect and introspection. In the other video, Sondheim is able to work with the actress more on interpretation, e.g., the exchange regarding "next year". A theatre song has to be treated as a sung monologue, something not usually in the classical singer's training.
It seems that having an average voice and a wonderful interpretation and portrayal of a part is better than having a fabulous voice and a mediocre performance.
Think of Elaine Stritch (or even Carol Channing). Ethel Merman didn't even have the traditional "beautiful" voice, but boy, could she deliver a song. For theater, it's really having something to say. You don't necessarily have to know the character, because for intimate cabaret, it's about connecting the song to you and from you to the audience.
I agree about the camera work as it is a lovely sung phrase it would be nice to see her but I guess that wanted the attention on Sondheim's reaction since he had incstructed her on that part.. makes sense but I agree it would have been nice. The girl has a really distinctive, lovely voice.
Yes, highly frustrating to not be able to see the change she made after her instructed her!!! I am sure there was a way to maneuver the camera so that his response would have been in the background. It would have been really lovely to see her change and his response to the change (if there was any :o) )
Yes - Sondheim introduced this by saying they were going to do 'a medley of my hit' - he was doing an experiment by trying with a singer first and then an actor. The second girl was out of the room when he instructed the first one. The programme just segued betwen the two at the point where this segment ends.
hahahahhaha, look at the hilarious expression on his face at :40s, lmao
lipsodent 3 weeks ago
UGHHHHHH Id marry this guy and he's like 50+ years my senior!xD
2ne1YGwinwin 2 months ago
sondheim looks sooo cute!! you can really see that he loves music!!!
crackerpopskikay 7 months ago 2
She is brilliant!! She took direction really well. I should have watched this before I posted my video
missfrizzyuk 8 months ago 2
I've learned more about singing and acting from watching this than ANY other teacher i ever had......period.
GayClassClown 8 months ago 2
Gorgeous, rich chocolaty voice on this lady..... I'd love to hear her sing some Mozart.
elh666 8 months ago 2
Anyone else find it annoying that Sondheim gives her an acting note, and when she gets to the part, the shot is of Sondheim and the audience?
mcfit707 11 months ago 7
This, & the other (related) YouTube video, are a fascinating 'lesson' in the difference in performance - styles & outcome - if a song is sung by an ‘actor who can sing’ or ‘a singer who can act’!
Quite fascinating! You can see from their performances that their ultimate strengths lie in slightly different areas.
If I didn’t know it before, I know it now.
InACountryGarden 1 year ago 4
Sondheim's face is so unbelievably precious. You can tell he really cares. <3 him.
bga600 1 year ago 5
I don't really like the lady, but this song is just so beautiful and genius that I just can't stand it.
TheLaustintime 1 year ago
her voice is great!!!!!!! I loved it"!
davidkiller15 1 year ago
Personally I believe her voice is more like that of classic contralto Marian Anderson and more suited to classical vocal pieces rather than broadway music that requires a greater emotive depth than more traditional music. As for Sondheim he is a complete genius and absolute professional in the instruction of the music.
Jarhead4400 1 year ago
I love how Sondheim keeps that half-smile almost like he's saying, "I'm a genius"... ...which is perfectly justified.
ehohnke 1 year ago 19
I'm not sure why, but this song needs to be sung by a man.
utube9000 1 year ago
@utube9000 Mmmmmmmm...cross-dressing Desiree?
Wrong kind of comedy, friend.
operadood 1 year ago
@operadood Guess I'm not familiar with the musical it comes from. I think the first version I heard had a male vocalist so it influenced my perception of the song.
utube9000 1 year ago
i love her voice
BroadwayHannah 1 year ago
I LOVE her voice. She sounds like a true contralto. WOW.
EmeraldSky33 1 year ago
I love all these videos. Thanks for posting them. He seems adorable. I wish he were still teaching masterclasses.
terribithiajjls12 1 year ago
Wow...he is an awesome teacher.
claretea 1 year ago
5:14
cartmanclone515 1 year ago
i love her voice :D
gojedason123 1 year ago
lol he focuses so much on pronunciation. Imagine if Thom Yorke came on to sing these it would be like 9 hours of sondheim teaching Yorke to pronounce words correctly
gojedason123 1 year ago 4
@gojedason123 its cause writers love the audience knowing what they wrote. same with david mamet, who would be happy if actors just spoke his words loudly and clearly.
Ichiro20 1 year ago
i always thought the one who cant move was the singer
scrollandkey 1 year ago
Beautiful sound...... too bad this song is not at all about singing. She has almost NO idea what this piece is about. See Judi Dench.... nuff said. This is all about acting and understanding. Not beauty of tone. I'm surprised they let her get up and sing this for him when she clearly has not done the work on the material.
tenorbear60 1 year ago
@tenorbear60how do you know that she doesn't know what the song is about.
Glad to see you can read minds, why is he smiling if she is so terrible?
SonicArchives 1 year ago
@tenorbear60 arghhh see bernadette peters!! perfect desiree
crackerpopskikay 7 months ago
I love Sondheim I really do. I love his work. and I love the way he is teaching these students. I really want to sing one of his songs, and have him teach it to me.. =]
RosesNightengales 1 year ago
She has an amazingly beautiful timbre, especially in the bottom tones. But, she's more concerned with the beauty of her voice, than acting the song. She won't make an uncomfortable or unpleasant sound, even if it's highly appropriate to the meaning of the words.
Orchestra2001 1 year ago
watching a genius at work, or rather play, is inspiring. I teach golf, I want to be able to communicate with passion and wisdom as he does. I could watch this all day every day. Thanx AllanWo
2bgolfingnow 2 years ago 2
@2bgolfingnow The fact that you teach golf, and you find inspiration and motivation in this is so awesome to me.
Your ability to see the parallels in all creativity is wonderful. Thank you for your post!
saneguy415 2 years ago
saneguy415, very nice of you to reply in such a complimentary and thoughtful way. My hope is that everyone does what they love to do in life and that we all draw inspiration from one another. I hope your life is full and rewarding, and again, thank you very much, your comments inspire me to keep going, and love what I do even more!
2bgolfingnow 2 years ago
i love, love, love sondheim. he's great! i cry every time i see these class and his comments... from brazil.
chrystie99 2 years ago
@chrystie99 me to...from texas.
2bgolfingnow 2 years ago
I would so love to see the second part of this!
Would it be possible for you to post it?
TaliaE 2 years ago 2
Already posted - it's just called 'Sondheim teaches Send In The Clowns'
AllanWo 2 years ago
I absolutely adore the richness in her voice. I also love how gentle Sondheim himself is, with his comments and criticisms. Fantastic.
FalconsWing 2 years ago
Don't you love arse. LOL
ruttishh 2 years ago
I believe Stephen actually does, lol
adamgslater 2 years ago
Steve sondhiem is so adorable in that old man way.
Selendomono 2 years ago 2
Oh my, I love this voice.
RoseofGilead 2 years ago
Wow, to actually get comments from the composer! How fabulous. I have to post this for my voice students!
NaomisMommie 2 years ago 2
In love with sondheim music
beatrices33 2 years ago
think of scary it would be to do this with sondheim... the master himself....scary... but oh so priveldged and awsome!
Melensko 2 years ago 4
i envy this woman so much right now...=P
Corallis 2 years ago
This is the first time I've understood the words "Don't you love farce ..." Would that all the singers of this song were mindful of diction there.
freestuffffff 2 years ago 3
looking at this video it makes me feel that i have been given entrance to a very personal and secret world...(Thank you) ..the entrance that has been given me merits no criticism of this world...I am not a singer and i don't think you need to be one to know that everyone who partook in the making of this video are working towards one goal...
JRhuewing 2 years ago
she's definitely being a good listener! What I wouldn't give to be in her position!!!
shashanasexy 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
She...doesn't understand the song. Because it was not written to be sung operatically. It was meant to be half-spoken half-sung.
yelanates 2 years ago
yeah, perhaps but then the guy who wrote it in the first place is sitting there in front of her and he doesn't seem to mind does ?
So maybe let it go..just enjoy it !
marv1984 2 years ago
It was written that way because the original actress couldn't handle singing it in a sustained manner. As marv1984 points out, Sondheim is sitting right there, and he has a smile on his face the entire time she sings; he obviously approves of her performance.
RoseofGilead 2 years ago
@RoseofGilead it wasn't because the actress had limitations and couldn't sing it in a sustained manner, it was because of the "emotionality" of the situation, to use his phrasing. This is a woman who is angry and hurt, has she would be breathless and choppy, not sustained and lilting. There's a video where he discusses this.
zauzzle 2 years ago
the composer is NEVER satisfied because the tune is his child in every way....even the Beatles considered most of their songs "fillers"...the brilliance showed through
jballard459 2 years ago 3
I think it would be great to learn any song from the songwriter!
ISingItAnyway 2 years ago
i'd love to be teached by Sondheim
ringelvogelsara 2 years ago 4
Her voice reminds me a bit of Audra McDonald
wrkin9to5 2 years ago
Well, opera or not, you're definitely right about one thing...bland. I really think there should be more subtlety. I see her trying to interpret, but it seems overdone in the vocal department and underdone in the emotional department.
Sondheim really knows his stuff (obviously)...what I wouldn't give to do a workshop with him!
Anyway, she has a lovely instrument, and really seemed to improve by the end. She listened and fixed what he told her to, so that's excellent.
Mkristinect 2 years ago 4
Wow, I didn't expect that voice. Beautiful, just beautiful.
Aww, I love Sondheim's facial expressions XD
Flanclanman 2 years ago 4
dumb cameraman, way to not pay attention to what's happening.
Greatheil 2 years ago 3
can you imagine being that girl?? how awesome.
theteeshirtman 2 years ago
Sondheim is amazing. All his music is so wonderful and brings about so many different musical characters.
tuygiuer 2 years ago
WHAT A CLASS !
KOKAYT1 2 years ago
pop, r&b or opera, it is still MUSIC, there's no segregation in music. if you truly love music, you will enjoy this too.
porkisgood4u 2 years ago 4
To porkisgood4u, I want to respectfully disagree with you. I feel that I love music, but there are many things I don't like about it. One should not have to blindly say they love everything about this artform. However, I agree with this one, Sondheim is knows his stuff
rutherfordbehave 2 years ago
Babs and Frank? Ghastly! Like two wolves devouring a piece of flesh.
nosidepb 2 years ago
if there are any more, PLEASE post them! This is amazing!
guacamoleroxmysox 3 years ago
Truly sorry guys ... I just think that the Babs and Frank versions float my boat! Guess deep-down I must be a pop kinda person!
BarrySingsSwing 3 years ago
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I want far more emotion ... not powerful, lingering notes! Stick to opera.
BarrySingsSwing 3 years ago
shut up youre not sondheim!
yellotaxibuffoon9 3 years ago 10
well said!
pedroesteban86 3 years ago
Stick to opera?! Just because she has vibrato, you think she belongs on the opera stage! What a fool you are.
Hisrevenge 3 years ago 4
@yellotaxibuffoon9 bit harsh, thought people were allowed to have opinions !
j3llyk3lly 1 year ago
far more emotion? You are a joke. Sondheim says how it should go! You stick to your pop versions of this song.
pedroesteban86 3 years ago
pop?!?!
*vomits*
yellotaxibuffoon9 3 years ago 2
people just don't understand the point and the song and how it is supposed to sound, and is NOT like B. Streisand version
Goldie4tv 3 years ago 4
Sondheim himself said he wrote the song for an ACTRESS not a singer.
missjamie135 3 years ago 2
she has a beautiful voice, but this peice really requres someone who can act with their vocal chords
AvayaNox 3 years ago 14
God, I love her voice! Those low notes in head voice...wow. She might not have the acting chops/emotion, but I for one am kind of sick of seeing women who can't really sing do it.
KatherineXIX 3 years ago 5
too operatic, this is more about voice than feeling or meaning
fledgehead 3 years ago
do you even know about opera enough to be able to say that? There is nothing operatic about this woman's performance, only bland vibrato. This is not opera in anyway.
Drelnis 2 years ago 3
I really can't stand her voice but then I've never been one for the heavy/heady female voices. But good for her for doing that in front of an audience AND camera... that takes guts.
thenatria 3 years ago 3
AND sondheim, of course!
nathan87 3 years ago 2
For sure.. I think the pinnacle of my career would be being asked to sing for Sondheim, himself. I'd be terrified, but I'm sure he's used to that, haha.
klickenpod 3 years ago 3
ugh
VANITYBONET 3 years ago
WOW!! She has guts to do this in front of an audience and camera.
PebbleBreeze 3 years ago 2
very cool
he's looking for emotional/musical weight or lightness on certain words/moments, but is also open to her "finding her way".
this is what jazz players mean when they say 'know the lyrics': understand them - find the fine shading.
MindHead77 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
too manly
TorabisuD 3 years ago
What a ray of sunshine in her voice.
rhanna12 3 years ago
God!! Soooo much talent...it's not fair!
hilljacknutjob 4 years ago
It's too generic and beautiful. She isn't showing Desiree's regret and disappointment. But still she might just be nervous.
bohemiawelcumsyou 4 years ago
good work! working in front of sondheim is not easy, but an amazing opportunity. thanks for posting!
brn2entrtn 4 years ago
She does have a good voice, but I think she is just singing the song, rather than performing it. Of course, this could be because she merely learned the song and did not research the story behind it or the character that sings it. Of course, she could also just be nervous to step out of herself because she is singing in front of a famous man.
lameci 4 years ago 4
what a fantastic insight into sondheims thoughts and direction...please post more...antone know who the lady is??? what a fab voice
barnsleyboi 4 years ago
Wow shes brave singing this in front of the composer of this!!!!
singinciaran 4 years ago 3
I do vocal performance coaching. Having a pretty voice does not equal good theatre. She sings almost every line the same way, with much vibrato. Vibrato conveys a big emotion but this song is more about intellect and introspection. In the other video, Sondheim is able to work with the actress more on interpretation, e.g., the exchange regarding "next year". A theatre song has to be treated as a sung monologue, something not usually in the classical singer's training.
AnalogJ 4 years ago 3
i have learned a lot with your comment, thanks
ildemart 4 years ago
I agree completely.
It seems that having an average voice and a wonderful interpretation and portrayal of a part is better than having a fabulous voice and a mediocre performance.
lameci 4 years ago
Think of Elaine Stritch (or even Carol Channing). Ethel Merman didn't even have the traditional "beautiful" voice, but boy, could she deliver a song. For theater, it's really having something to say. You don't necessarily have to know the character, because for intimate cabaret, it's about connecting the song to you and from you to the audience.
AnalogJ 4 years ago
Um i went to a music school at least she can sing on tune just this is not a show she would usually get cast in the virbrato is great.
leahbenavides 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Worse than dissecting a frog in Biology class. Steven OCD-eim. I'm exhausted, just hope the singer wasn't traunatized into a lifetime of self doubt!
skyavalanche 4 years ago
interesting point of wiew,thanks God I´M NOT A SINGER
ildemart 4 years ago
I can't help wondering what happened to this girl
Javaisreve 4 years ago
So wonderful to hear Sondheim's comments about his work.
pluennekem 4 years ago 2
Listening to Sondheim speak about his song is amazing. Thank you so much for posting this.
He looks like he's really enjoying her interpretation, overall. <33 Sondheim.
IsabellaMacbeth 4 years ago
Wow shes really classical.
orca1142 4 years ago
i love this girls voice!
bohemiawelcumsyou 4 years ago
real good camera work there when she tried "one who keeps tearing around, one who can't move" again...woulda been betetr to uh..see her
applejuice255 4 years ago 2
I agree about the camera work as it is a lovely sung phrase it would be nice to see her but I guess that wanted the attention on Sondheim's reaction since he had incstructed her on that part.. makes sense but I agree it would have been nice. The girl has a really distinctive, lovely voice.
PeteDinsdale 4 years ago
Yes, highly frustrating to not be able to see the change she made after her instructed her!!! I am sure there was a way to maneuver the camera so that his response would have been in the background. It would have been really lovely to see her change and his response to the change (if there was any :o) )
czvallery 2 years ago
Where is this all from? I'd love to find the original program.
seleniat 4 years ago
Just realising what the awkwardness with that lyric is...in the wrong hands that could come out as "don't you love arse!"
Throws a whole new light on the plight of poor Desiree. What a cad!
harrynwaller 4 years ago 2
Is this it for her? The other video picks up right at about the point in the song that she leaves off, but it's an entirely different girl.
jmdixon 4 years ago
Yes - Sondheim introduced this by saying they were going to do 'a medley of my hit' - he was doing an experiment by trying with a singer first and then an actor. The second girl was out of the room when he instructed the first one. The programme just segued betwen the two at the point where this segment ends.
AllanWo 4 years ago
So is this the singer or the actor?
orca1142 4 years ago
This is the singer - the actor is the one in other 'Sondheim teaches Send in the Clowns' video
AllanWo 4 years ago
I think that theyre both wonderful singers. In fact i like the other girls voice better. its more musical theatre.
orca1142 4 years ago