'Think of Me' - Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (1986)

"The Phantom of the Opera" is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" by Gaston Leroux (1910) [An excellent gothic novel by the way]. The music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. The musical focuses on a beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé, who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius known as "The Phantom of the Opera".

Phantom is the second longest-running West End musical in history and the longest-running Broadway musical. According to its official website, it is the most successful entertainment project in history, grossing more than US$5 billion worldwide by 2007.

'Think of Me' is the opening number sang by Christine Daaé when Carlotta storms off and she is suggested as a replacement singer. The drama of future pieces is hinted at in this first opening piece. Personally I believe all the music from 'Phantom' is ideally suited for the style of solo piano.

This is where the piece is placed in the narrative of the musical:
At the Opéra Populaire, 1881, a rehearsal for Hannibal is underway. Monsieur Lefevre, the owner, announces that he has sold the theatre to two new managers, Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur André. They observe two of the ballet dancers, Meg Giry and her friend, Christine Daaé, with some curiosity. André asks Carlotta, the resident diva, to sing an aria. She agrees, but in the middle of the song, a backdrop suddenly falls dangerously close to her. The company blames the accident on the Opera Ghost. Carlotta has dealt with such incidents for several years, and says that she has had too much of it. She quits, taking Piangi, the tenor, with her. The managers lament having to cancel the show, but Meg quickly suggests they consider Christine to replace Carlotta. They agree to hear her sing, and Christine starts her song ("Think of Me") tentatively, but as she impresses the entire company with her voice the scene changes to the night of the performance. Christine, now in costume as the leading lady, makes a triumphant début.

Phantom is really my favourite Lloyd Weber Musical, highly passionate and dramatic with powerful chords and music at its most moving.

A particular favourite bit of mine here is the Cadenza, senza mesura. This is a solo part (cadenza) which shows technical prowess that is without measure (senza mesura) so can be played freely. This is the part at the very end which is sung loudly and powerfully. I have tried to re-enact this sound via the top notes and applying additional pressure on the keys.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• think of me
• phantom of the opera
• andrew lloyd webber
• paul hargreaves
• paul
• piano
• paul and his piano

[ghkasdflgjkskgj]

i am truly speechless at how wonderful this is

[MiaKi1991]

Awesome