Posted on Jun 3, 2023
After years of ever-shrinking orchestras, some Broadway musicals are going big
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https://www.npr.org/2023/06/03/ [login to see] /broadway-big-orchestras-returning-theater-sweeney-todd-josh-groban
Even as a controversy has erupted on Broadway over the use of pre-recorded music in the upcoming David Byrne musical, Here Lies Love, audiences for some musicals this past season are noticing the return of something that was once familiar: big orchestras.
When Sweeney Todd premiered in 1979, composer Jonathan Tunick orchestrated it for 26 musicians. But in every subsequent Broadway appearance, it's used a smaller orchestra ... until now. The new revival, starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford, features the full complement of strings, woodwinds, brass, harp and percussion.
"It feels normal," to work with an ensemble that large, said Tunick, laughing. Back in the 1970s, he orchestrated Sondheim's massive score in three-and-a-half weeks and has done 13 different versions of it since, written for everything from chamber ensembles to a full-size symphonic accompaniment on Tim Burton's film.
Even as a controversy has erupted on Broadway over the use of pre-recorded music in the upcoming David Byrne musical, Here Lies Love, audiences for some musicals this past season are noticing the return of something that was once familiar: big orchestras.
When Sweeney Todd premiered in 1979, composer Jonathan Tunick orchestrated it for 26 musicians. But in every subsequent Broadway appearance, it's used a smaller orchestra ... until now. The new revival, starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford, features the full complement of strings, woodwinds, brass, harp and percussion.
"It feels normal," to work with an ensemble that large, said Tunick, laughing. Back in the 1970s, he orchestrated Sondheim's massive score in three-and-a-half weeks and has done 13 different versions of it since, written for everything from chamber ensembles to a full-size symphonic accompaniment on Tim Burton's film.
After years of ever-shrinking orchestras, some Broadway musicals are going big
Posted from npr.org
Music
Theater
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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I remember when quarantine shut Broadway down. Initially performers would sing quarantunes on Thursday evenings from around the country but after the long haul of restrictions, they eventually stopped. Broadway’s back in Wichita with Hamilton opening Tuesday! We have a full orchestra pit.
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