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| Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: Bwayguy 12:19 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| In today's WSJ | |
| Link | https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-stephen-sondheim-is-americas-greatest-living-writer-11615565018 |
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| Eugene O'Neill received the 1936 Nobel Prize in Literature (in 1937) | |
| Posted by: garyd 01:01 pm EST 03/13/21 | |
| In reply to: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - Bwayguy 12:19 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| He remains the only American playwright to receive the honor and it was awarded prior to the writing or performance of any of the famous Tao House plays. (the stipend actually helped pay for the construction of Tao House and the purchase of the land). As part of the award ceremony, the following was stated: "It is difficult to explain the vital processes in the living organism; it is difficult to interpret the inmost essence of matter, but it is perhaps most difficult to sound the human mind and to understand the soul in its shifting phases. With passionate intensity and impulsive genius Eugene O’Neill has done this in his dramas, and one cannot but be captivated by the masterly way in which he deals with the great problems of life" It occurs to me that Sondheim's similar "passionate intensity and impulsive genius" has done the same for musical theatre as had O'Neill for drama and that the work of both will endure in a like manner. |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 06:48 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - Bwayguy 12:19 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| Of course the premise of that article is meant to provoke discussion (aka "engagement".) I'll leave it to other to discuss whether musical theatre writing should be weighed against other types of writing and if one is more important or valuable than the other. But, I will say this, one thing that I think makes Sondheim especially unique is that I think he holds a position of acclaim and esteem so above any of his contemporaries (those still with us and those no longer with us) that I don't think any other writer/artist in another artform holds. There are acclaimed and beloved filmmakers, novelists, poets, visual artists, dancers, directors, choreographers, designers, screenwriters, actors, singers, musicians. There are even those whom a large portion of the population might feel comfortable referring to as the "greatest living XXX" in their artform/genre. Bob Dylan is one such artist who often gets called that for (let's, broadly call it) rock music. But, I can't think of another artist in another artform for whom their acclaim and esteem towers over any of their contemporaries the way Sondheim's does. Although I believe that acclaim is earned, I'm not really arguing for or against it. Just that, in this particular sense, I DO think Sondheim has no equal in another artform. No equivalent. You might think Martin Scorsese is a great director or even the greatest living director, but I doubt you also think that no other filmmakers come close to his level of talent. Perhaps it's that musical theatre writing is also a very specialized, specific type of creation. But, it's still mightily impressive. |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: joerialto 10:05 am EST 03/13/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - DistantDrumming 06:48 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| He’s the biggest fish in a small pond. | |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: joerialto 04:32 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - Bwayguy 12:19 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| Sorry, as much as I love the music & lyrics of Mr. Sondheim I think novelist Don DeLillo is the greatest living American writer. Number one in musical theater? Of course! |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: JohnDunlop 05:17 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - joerialto 04:32 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| Bob Dylan received a Nobel prize in Literature | |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: joerialto 05:57 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - JohnDunlop 05:17 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| And didn’t even show up on Nobel Prize night. lol. That one should have gone to Philip Roth. | |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: JohnDunlop 11:22 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - joerialto 05:57 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| Patti Smith is quite well known in Stockholm and took Bob Dylan's place. She was sensational. |
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| re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer | |
| Posted by: chrismpls 05:31 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
| In reply to: re: Why Stephen Sondheim Is America’s Greatest Living Writer - JohnDunlop 05:17 pm EST 03/12/21 | |
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| You must not have followed the link? That is the whole point. (And: Yes. Nobel Prize in literature for Sondheim, please.) |
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