Sondheim On "Send in the Clowns"

[klute]

It's obvious he has a mathematical background. Proof that math=art.

[robertobordino]

JEAN SIMONDS NAILED IT FOR ME IN MORE LIVE PERFORMACES IN LONDON THAN I CAN COUNT, BUT DENCH WAS GOOD AT THE NATIONAL TOO

[Dreama40]

I just find ppl like him such a turn on. talent , intelligence , etc etc...

[DoctorLawyerWhatever]

Someone commented that Sally Ann Howes had too beautiful a voice for this particular song; that makes sense, in its own peculiar way. It should be sung a little more subdued, revealing subtle emotions, barely shown. Even so, though it may not be the right song for her, Howes still possesses one of the most extraordinary voices I've ever heard. An amazing talent.

[BOomeek]

"I wish I had more to say to you. I wrote it in E major, what else do you want?"

Love him!

[MsLILUN]

this mans a genius

[Splurge24]

Fuck, Sondheim was hot!!

[fobesq]

Such genius.

[stanciu2009]

who is the man who work with Sally Ann? Is that Gary Dilworth?

[ThePiano1991]

Is that Sondheim rehearsing with the singer!? He put on so much weight! :S

[donaldcallen]

@ThePiano1991 No, that's not Sondheim; it's Paul Gemingnani, who has served for a long time as Sondheim's conductor. My wife and I were in NY a few months ago for an 80th birthday celebration for Sondheim at Lincoln Center, and Gemingnani did the honors that night, appropriately.

[UncleCharlieOakley]

@ThePiano1991 That's musical director Paul Gemignani, who looks absolutely nothing like Sondheim.

[dafamousnick]

He was brought up on music from the 1800's?

[rad99125]

Whoaaa!!

[tubetoad]

Joy. Thanks, Steve......

[lfoisy580]

I recommend the current revival on Broadway starring the wonderful Catherine Zeta-Jones as Desiree (this number is very beautiful & moving) and the incomparable Angela Lansbury as her mother--a fantastic performance by both stars.

[shmoogle14]

I'm dying to see it!!!!!!

[SteveO1029]

@lfoisy580

You're kidding right????

This song has been done wonderfully many different ways and everyone has their favorite, but one thing brings most folks together in force - they unanimous revulsion of Jones singing this role.

:)

[zenrocksfan]

I don't think anyone will play that part as well as dame judi dench. she does it beautifully, and it really befits such a beautiful song.

[Melensko]

amen

[clarkewi]

What a genius.

[Dutra24]

I was fortunate enough to attend a performance of "A Little Night Music" as a 16th birthday present in 1973 and hearing Glynis Johns sing "Send in the Clowns" without ever having heard the song before can only be described as stunning. The song is best sung by a singer without a great voice and singers such as Sally Ann Howes, to me, ruin the song because of their voice. Sinatra did a decent version because he's able to sing intentionally flat at times.

[donohuem]

When is Steve going to write a musical about gays?

[BakingAccident]

he's written road show, theres a gay pairing in that :] lol

[Painislife28]

Sondheim's music is all so natural for the stage and all, with no exception, always conveys and lets the audience feel emotion.

Other musical theater composers (Weber for example) writes just fluff that's supposed to drive the audience wild and forget the story.

[BakingAccident]

I agree!!

[ActorSinger51]

what production is this? not OBC?

[skosh0297]

Somewhere I read that Sondheim told Judi Dench, when she sang the song for him, that it was "her," song! That was how he wrote it!

[bohemiawelcumsyou]

I love Sally Ann Howes. But I just don't like her version of SITC. For me, it's just too sung and I don't get that sense of regret, self-anger, disappointment, and ironic humor that I get from Glynis and Glenn.

[AAMLfan]

I agree. She looks and sounds so happy in this song...which, of course, isn't how it's supposed to be.

[barrowchap]

the woman who slagged me off. i was right.

not a love song, a message of anger & confusion & hormones & anger & rage x x x

[olddeudynku]

not crazy about this lady... too singy for me.

[mwp2paris]

Give us so much more before you leave us...You are the genius of the Broadway Stage and we need more Move On and Send in the Clowns and Sunday and all the complex, amazing music and lyrics and beauty you have shared with us from your breathtaking talent.

Thank you.

[prettybutterfly2007]

sondheim is a genius !! his music and lyrics are beautiful and his melodies haunting

[ActorSinger51]

sorry, but sondheim does not write melodies.

[EldKatt]

What?

[prettybutterfly2007]

Sorry I only just got your reply I haven't had access to a PC for a few days.I don't quite understand your statement because Sondheim defitely does write melodies. I, and I am sure many others, feel that they form an integral part of the beauty of Sondheim's music and this is melded and supported with his wonderful flare for writing lyrics.

[kadjrare]

did i read that right?

d(-_-)b

[mzmiller52]

what happened to the original? glynis johns is still the

best performance of this. i love that sondheim doesn't like

"singers". why do you think elaine stritch does him so well.

but i do wish someone other than carol burnett did "I'm still

here" for the follies in concert.

[microscopic]

I never liked the way Judi Dench performed this - mostly just angry and, well, making a big scene. Barbra Streisand gets it just right, those painful smiles that say - this is so tragic it's almost funny and absurd. Almost, but not quite.

[lexnet]

Dench gives a theatrical performance. Streisand gives a concert performance. They are not the same -- apples and oranges.

[antoniodcz]

This is one of my favourite songs ever, and to hear the composer talk about it feels like such a priveledge. Sally Howes has a great voice but for me the version to hear is Barbra Streisands for full emotive effect.

P.s Can anyone recommend a good version of "losing my mind" (not the holly cole version- nice but changes the harmonic sequence of original)?

[HurricaneHeidi]

WONDERFUL to be able to watch this interview with Sondheim. THANK YOU for posting it. I must say that I always "got" the point that "we (Frederick and Desiree) are the clowns"... just as Sondheim says here... and after seeing this, I feel validated. The phrases "Isn't it rich? Are we a pair?" should not be reflective, IMO... they should be sarcastic and bitter (a poignant expression of impotent anger directed at herself as well as at Frederick). I'll now listen to Dame Judy Dench's rendition.

[midtowner]

This an equally great clip that shows the insight and artistry of Paul Gemignani, the musical director working with Ms. Howes. He is inspired.

[EtrangerStranger]

Ugh, I don't like her at all. She annoys me and she's talking too much rather than listening to the direction.

[ijustineislikecool]

EtrangerStranger, you see, Sally Ann Howes is one of the best vocal performers of her time. So if you dont like her voice, than you obviously do not have an ear for music. If you would please keep your rude and vial openions to yourself, it would be greatly appreciated, for some people enjoy Miss. Howes's talent.

[EtrangerStranger]

Alright...first of all, I have an ear for music being a performer myself, secondly, since when is freedom of speech looked down upon? I am expressing my "opinion", there is nothing wrong with that, and how am I being "vile" yea, thats right, learn how to spell before you tell someone off, it helps. I merely said I don't like her voice and that she annoyed me.....and as for you...you are probably annoying in person too....

[flufrdude]

Just one example of a primer on how to approach a song in a show ... All of you actors, don't memorize a one particular performance. All of you singers, don't resort to mimicking a singer who has recorded the song. Hopefully you'll be working with a director and a musical director who are in sync with the show. And that not only applies to Sondheim but any musical theatre piece.

[singingsammage]

If you love Sondheim. Watch the song "Sorry-Grateful" from Company. Possibly one of the best Broadway songs which has ever been produced.

[Jessabellany2]

does anyone else think sondheim looks a bit like George lucas and vice versa?

[robbertstoop]

@Jessabellany2 erm, what if he does??? If they do look alike they're two totally different geniusses.....

[kboyer1]

I sang this piece at an broadway tribute in New York. Sondheim is right, this song demands a great deal of energy and emotion.

[Meleny001]

Oh my...Go watch Dame Judi Dench do this one right away!!! SHE COMPLETELY NAILS WHAT SONDHEIM IS TALKING ABOUT. In this video they talk about not thinking about "singing" the song but think of speaking it. Guess that's why Judi won an Olivier Award for her Desiree.

[singinciaran]

With what sondheim says here Judi is doing the opposite. Sondheim says its a song of regret and Desiree is furious and doesnt want 2 make a scene. So she holds in the emotion, Judi however breaks down in her performance. Its still moving but not how sondheim wants it performed.

[NunsAndPoses]

omg - thank u soooo much 4 posting this!! I write music and sing - and this was sooo inspiring! I hope u have time 2 check my vids :)

[QuitandRun]

Sondheim is my favourite musical theatre composer. I'm a singer, and Sondheim's work always touches me both musically and emotionally, so simply, thank you!

[kgrahams]

very cool. Thanks!

[BroadwayHorton]

I love this!

[MissTruly]

This is from the New York City Opera, 1990 or 1992 (Sally Ann Howes opened the opera season twice for them). It was broadcast live from Lincoln Center on one of times. If you watch Ebay, sometimes you'll find someone selling a copy of it.

[MissTruly]

Thanks so much for posting this too!

[avidrentfan]

Where is this from? I would really LOVE to have it on video.