Sondheim Flashcards
Leitmotifs
Sweeney Todd: Same motif for ‘Beggar Woman’ as for ‘Lucy’ indicates they are the same person
Adapted motif from Requiem Mass at the beginning of the musical foreshadows the death to come
Harmonies
Sweeney Todd: High pitch dissonance in strings create screaming sound
Sunday in the Park with George: chords in accompaniment are broad and dissonance
Rhythmic Songs
Sondheim changes time signature regularly to fit words, drive the song forward and make the melody memorable. He also uses odd phrase lengths. Examples: Giants in the sky - Into the woods, Worst pies in London Town - Sweeney Todd, Being Alive - Company
Lyrics and music
Into the woods: Overlapping individual melodies for each character’s story with them all finally linking together in one theme
Worst pies in London Town - Sweeney: Accented on words where Mrs Lovatt is exclaiming, eg, ‘sit!’, ‘wait!’
Don’t look at me - Follies: Sung by woman who’s lyrics are arguing with each other and so the accompaniment is chaotic like her thoughts
Chorus Songs
Into the woods: Overlapping individual melodies for each character’s story with them all finally linking together in one theme
Duets
Agony - Into the woods: 2 male voices. Sing alone initially, then they sing together. They don’t harmonise because they are singing about the same themes and agree with each other
Don’t look at me - Follies: Reuniting of characters. Female character argues with herself initially, but male voice joins and sings in harmony to reach a conclusion to her argument they both agree with.
Showstoppers
Children will listen - Into the woods: Finale to the musical. Lyrics carry a meaning to walk away with after the performance. Chorus adds emphasis and atmosphere to witch’s singing.
My Friends - Sweeney: Simple accompaniment. In a major key and with an uplifting melody although the lyrics juxtapose this as its about murder. Sung by Todd with interjections by Mrs Lovatt and tension is built throughout as rhythm drives in forward.
