Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far is a four-CD box set of 82 recordings of music by the Broadway songwriter, with a running time just under five hours. It is far from the first compilation of Sondheim's work, or even the first box set, but it follows a pattern in such compilations and in box sets in general, in that the selection seems aimed at two different classes of potential purchasers, those general fans looking for a single omnibus collection of the best or most popular of an artist's efforts, and the aficionados primarily interested in rarities. Despite his renown, particularly among musical theater buffs, and a mantelpiece straining with Tony, Grammy, and Academy Awards, Sondheim does not have a slew of "hits," as in, songs that have made the Top 40. Among his early efforts as a lyricist only, West Side Story (with music by Leonard Bernstein) generated such hits as "Somewhere" and "Tonight," and Johnny Mathis' recording of "Small World" from Gypsy (with music by Jule Styne) made the Top 20. Since then, only "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music produced a Top 40 hit for Judy Collins in 1975. Sondheim tends to downplay his lyrical collaborations, and they are typically underrepresented here, with only "Tonight" included. "Send in the Clowns" appears in the recording from the original Broadway cast album of A Little Night Music, sung by Glynis Johns, for whom it was written. Of course, fans have their favorites among Sondheim's large catalog, and his songs have been extensively performed and recorded outside their shows. But, like its many predecessors, this sampler of his work leaves out many of those favorites. Basically, its first three discs trace his career in the musical theater from 1957's West Side Story to a 2004 revised version of the 1974 musical The Frogs. Usually, two or three songs (not necessarily the best-known) from a show are excerpted, accompanied by songs cut from the scores, often performed in informal demonstration recordings, many of those by the composer himself. The fourth disc is given over almost entirely to obscurities, including music written for films. Thus, of 82 tracks, 33 are previously unreleased and 13 are sung by Sondheim himself. That's a selection and a proportion of rarities that will delight Sondheim fans, who may only wish the set was all rarities. For others, the collection may be more problematic, but then they are less likely to want to fork over the money for a box like this in the first place. Certainly, anyone encountering this music without previous knowledge would be amazed by its variety, from old-time show music to approximations of traditional Japanese music, with a lot of Western classical references thrown in, along with the consistently sparkling wit and seemingly endless verbal facility of the lyrics. And, if nothing else, the album boasts performances by a bevy of star performers including Carol Burnett, Barbara Cook, Hermione Gingold, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Madonna, Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Zero Mostel, Mandy Patinkin, Anthony Perkins, Bernadette Peters, Jane Powell, Lee Remick, Chita Rivera, Elaine Stritch, and Mel Tormé. All are given powerful material to interpret. At the end, one may only ask what, if this is, as the producers say, only "the story so far," they expect still to come from the songwriter, who was 78 years old on the day this album was released. Even given that one of the set's final songs is called "More," what is here seems like more than enough already, even if it is less than what it could have been.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From 12,49€/month
Chita Rivera, Performer - Chita Rivera, Vocal - Goddard Lieberson, Producer - Leonard Bernstein, Composer - Leonard Bernstein, Lyricist - Marilyn Cooper, Performer - Marilyn Cooper, Vocal - Max Goberman, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
Originally released 1957 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Carol Lawrence, Performer - Carol Lawrence, Vocal - Larry Kert, Performer - Larry Kert, Vocal - Leonard Bernstein, Composer - Leonard Bernstein, Lyricist - Max Goberman, Conductor - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
Originally released 1957 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
David Winters, Performer - David Winters, Vocal - Eddie Roll, Performer - Eddie Roll, Vocal - Grover Dale, Performer - Grover Dale, Vocal - Hank Brunjes, Performer - Hank Brunjes, Vocal - Leonard Bernstein, Composer - Leonard Bernstein, Lyricist - Max Goberman, Conductor - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - The Jets, Performer - The Jets, Vocal - Tony Mordante, Performer - Tony Mordante, Vocal
Originally released 1957 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Ethel Merman, Performer - Ethel Merman, Vocal - Jule Styne, Composer - Jule Styne, Lyricist - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - S. Sondheim, Composer - S. Sondheim, Lyricist
Originally released 1959 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Christopher Durang, Vocal - James Nichols, Recording Engineer - Jay David Saks, Producer - Michael Rupert, Vocal - Scott Frankel, Conductor - Stephen Collins, Vocal - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
(P) 1993 BMG Music
Goddard Lieberson, Producer - Lee Remick, Performer - Orchestra, Performer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Teo Macero, Co-Producer
Originally released 1964 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Angela Lansbury, Performer - Ensemble, Performer - Goddard Lieberson, Producer - Orchestra, Performer - S. Sondheim, Composer - S. Sondheim, Lyricist - Teo Macero, Co-Producer
Originally released 1964 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Carol Bruce, Vocal - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Richard Rodgers, Composer - Richard Rodgers, Lyricist - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Stephen Sondheim, Performer
Originally released 1965 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Richard Rodgers, Composer - Richard Rodgers, Lyricist - Stan Stanley, Performer - Stan Stanley, Vocal - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
(P) 2008 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Richard Rodgers, Composer - Richard Rodgers, Lyricist - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Various, Performer - Various, Vocal
(P) 2008 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Esteban Ria Nido, Lyricist - Linda Lavin, Performer - Mary Rodgers, Composer - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Sam Pottle, Director - Steven Vinaver, Director
Originally Released 1966 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
DISC 2
Pamela Myers, Performer - Pamela Myers, Vocal - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
Originally released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Elaine Stritch, Performer - Elaine Stritch, Vocal - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
Originally released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Dean Jones, Performer - Dean Jones, Vocal - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
Originally released 1970 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
George Hearn, Vocal - Howard McGillin, Vocal - Jim Walton, Vocal - New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Performer - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1985 BMG Music
Elaine Stritch, Vocal - New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Performer - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1985 BMG Music
Barbara Cook, Vocal - New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Performer - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1985 BMG Music
Carol Burnett, Vocal - New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Performer - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1985 BMG Music
D. Jamin-Bartlett, Performer - D. Jamin-Bartlett, Vocal - Goddard Lieberson, Producer - Harold Hastings, Conductor - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Co-Producer
(P) 1973 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Goddard Lieberson, Producer - Harold Hastings, Conductor - Hermione Gingold, Performer - Hermione Gingold, Vocal - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Co-Producer
(P) 1973 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Glynis Johns, Performer - Glynis Johns, Vocal - Goddard Lieberson, Producer - Harold Hastings, Conductor - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Co-Producer
(P) 1973 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Company, Vocal - Producer not documented on available sources, Producer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Stephen Sondheim, Performer
(P) 1978 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Ernest Harada, Vocal - Jay David Saks, Assistant Producer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1976 BMG Music
Jay David Saks, Assistant Producer - Original Broadway Cast Recording, Performer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1976 BMG Music
DISC 3
Company, Vocal - Jay David Saks, Assistant Producer - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Len Cariou, Vocal - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1979 BMG Music
Jay David Saks, Assistant Producer - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Sarah Rice, Vocal - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1979 BMG Music
Angela Lansbury, Vocal - Jay David Saks, Producer - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Len Cariou, Vocal - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1979 BMG Music
Jim Walton, Vocal - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Paul Goodman, Recording Engineer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1982 BMG Music
Ann Morrison, Vocal - Jim Walton, Vocal - Jonathan Tunick, Orchestrator - Lonny Price, Vocal - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Paul Goodman, Recording Engineer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1982 BMG Music
Anthony Salvatore, Engineer - Mandy Patinkin, Vocal - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Paul Goodman, Engineer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist - Thomas Z. Shepard, Producer
(P) 1984 BMG Music
Anthony Salvatore, Recording Engineer - Chuck Wagner, Vocal - Jay David Saks, Producer - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Paul Goodman, Recording Engineer - Robert Westenberg, Vocal - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
(P) 1988 BMG Music
Anthony Salvatore, Recording Engineer - Bernadette Peters, Vocal - Company, Performer - Jay David Saks, Producer - Paul Gemignani, Conductor - Paul Goodman, Recording Engineer - Stephen Sondheim, Composer - Stephen Sondheim, Lyricist
(P) 1988 BMG Music
Albumbeschreibung
Stephen Sondheim: The Story So Far is a four-CD box set of 82 recordings of music by the Broadway songwriter, with a running time just under five hours. It is far from the first compilation of Sondheim's work, or even the first box set, but it follows a pattern in such compilations and in box sets in general, in that the selection seems aimed at two different classes of potential purchasers, those general fans looking for a single omnibus collection of the best or most popular of an artist's efforts, and the aficionados primarily interested in rarities. Despite his renown, particularly among musical theater buffs, and a mantelpiece straining with Tony, Grammy, and Academy Awards, Sondheim does not have a slew of "hits," as in, songs that have made the Top 40. Among his early efforts as a lyricist only, West Side Story (with music by Leonard Bernstein) generated such hits as "Somewhere" and "Tonight," and Johnny Mathis' recording of "Small World" from Gypsy (with music by Jule Styne) made the Top 20. Since then, only "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music produced a Top 40 hit for Judy Collins in 1975. Sondheim tends to downplay his lyrical collaborations, and they are typically underrepresented here, with only "Tonight" included. "Send in the Clowns" appears in the recording from the original Broadway cast album of A Little Night Music, sung by Glynis Johns, for whom it was written. Of course, fans have their favorites among Sondheim's large catalog, and his songs have been extensively performed and recorded outside their shows. But, like its many predecessors, this sampler of his work leaves out many of those favorites. Basically, its first three discs trace his career in the musical theater from 1957's West Side Story to a 2004 revised version of the 1974 musical The Frogs. Usually, two or three songs (not necessarily the best-known) from a show are excerpted, accompanied by songs cut from the scores, often performed in informal demonstration recordings, many of those by the composer himself. The fourth disc is given over almost entirely to obscurities, including music written for films. Thus, of 82 tracks, 33 are previously unreleased and 13 are sung by Sondheim himself. That's a selection and a proportion of rarities that will delight Sondheim fans, who may only wish the set was all rarities. For others, the collection may be more problematic, but then they are less likely to want to fork over the money for a box like this in the first place. Certainly, anyone encountering this music without previous knowledge would be amazed by its variety, from old-time show music to approximations of traditional Japanese music, with a lot of Western classical references thrown in, along with the consistently sparkling wit and seemingly endless verbal facility of the lyrics. And, if nothing else, the album boasts performances by a bevy of star performers including Carol Burnett, Barbara Cook, Hermione Gingold, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Madonna, Ethel Merman, Liza Minnelli, Zero Mostel, Mandy Patinkin, Anthony Perkins, Bernadette Peters, Jane Powell, Lee Remick, Chita Rivera, Elaine Stritch, and Mel Tormé. All are given powerful material to interpret. At the end, one may only ask what, if this is, as the producers say, only "the story so far," they expect still to come from the songwriter, who was 78 years old on the day this album was released. Even given that one of the set's final songs is called "More," what is here seems like more than enough already, even if it is less than what it could have been.
© William Ruhlmann /TiVo
About the album
- 4 disc(s) - 82 track(s)
- Total length: 04:57:04
- Main artists: Stephen Sondheim
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Masterworks Broadway
- Genre: Klassiek
(P) 1979, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1991 BMG Music / (P) 2004, 2006 Nonesuch Records / (P) 1994 Angel Records / (P) 2008 Karl Held Productions / (P) 2005 PS Classics LLC/(P) 1981 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT / (P) 1974, 1993 BMG Music / (P) 2008 Touchstone Pictur
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.