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| Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 11:58 pm EST 11/16/22 | |
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| I've been on a rare trip to NYC this week and caught A Strange Loop and Into the Woods. Things to say about both shows, and I'll get there eventually. But right now one major topic is on my mind. I've music directed Woods a number of times. Most recently at Emerson College this past April, with thankfully a complete orchestra in the pit. So I know this orchestration extremely well. And of course I have seen many productions of the show. BUT - listening to Rob Berman's take on the score tonight was, for me, a masterclass. The light touch he had with the music, and the pristine clean sound of that orchestra. Really amazing work. Clearly also he had a great rapport with the sound designer and the board op, because the balance between orchestra and cast was often so, so careful (in fact, there were times my "music director's ears" wanted to hear just a little more orchestra - but there was clearly a careful plan to keep things like incidental music in the background in order to put the focus on the cast), and the balance within the orchestra itself was spot on - Berman able to really highlight key moments from within the texture. If I *think* I know that orchestration so very well, Mr. Berman still showed me many beautiful things tonight that I hadn't known before. I did find a few of the tempos daringly fast, but in general, the pacing of the score was so smooth (so appreciated) that nothing ever felt unduly rushed (just propelled), and although the show still clocked in somewhere around 2:45, it didn't feel long at all. (I'm sure we've all seen productions of the show that felt very very long lol.) It was a very sensitive but very exciting reading of the score. Possibly the best I've ever heard it, and I'm not a hyperbole kind of person. I also appreciated some tiny but significant nods back to the original Broadway version of the score. The bell tone cue for "It Takes Two" back where it belongs (after "we," not literally before the first lyric), and the unfinished "No One Is Alone." And none of the other god awful revisions, many made for the 2002 revival, that all appear in the current rental version of the materials. (Even though I understand that's the edition of the score they're working off of.) Bravo to each of those wonderful musicians, and bravo to to the Maestro. |
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| Chromeo - what have been the best 'sounding' productions you've seen on Broadway... | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 08:57 pm EST 11/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra - Chromolume 11:58 pm EST 11/16/22 | |
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| ...in terms of the qualities you described for orchestration/arrangement, music direction and actual performance/execution by the musicians and singers? I only started visiting NY in the 2010s, so I don't have a long history, but the two productions from the past decade that first spring to mind for me are the exquisitely musically directed and performed revival of On the Town and the sensational After Midnight. Loved reading your appreciation of Rob Berman's work on Into the Woods! |
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| re: Chromeo - what have been the best 'sounding' productions you've seen on Broadway... | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 11:16 pm EST 11/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Chromeo - what have been the best 'sounding' productions you've seen on Broadway... - DistantDrumming 08:57 pm EST 11/17/22 | |
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| I would agree about the On The Town revival. (Really, I thought it was an excellent show through and through, save 2 things - the videogame "staging" of "Come Up To My Place," and Jackie Hoffmann's shameless mugging.) I would add A Gentleman's Guide and The Band's Visit. For a show with a much smaller pit, I would certainly say that the recent Falsettos revival was also expertly done. Going back a ways, and for a contrast - Titanic was all solid musicianship, a thrill to see and experience - but I didn't feel the sound quality in the Lunt-Fontanne was up to snuff. The excellent orchestra sounded a bit tinny to me. The show deserved better. |
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| re: Chromeo - what have been the best 'sounding' productions you've seen on Broadway... | |
| Posted by: DistantDrumming 11:10 pm EST 11/18/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Chromeo - what have been the best 'sounding' productions you've seen on Broadway... - Chromolume 11:16 pm EST 11/17/22 | |
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| Agreed on On the Town. Honestly, one of the most joyous experiences I've had in the theatre. Gentleman's Guide is such an interesting one as I was not a fan of the show and pretty indifferent to the score. It was all too... twee for me. But, I distinctly remember sitting in the theatre appreciating the artistry of the orchestration and of the musicianship of the small, but expertly balanced orchestra. |
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| re: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra | |
| Posted by: Roman 11:18 am EST 11/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra - Chromolume 11:58 pm EST 11/16/22 | |
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| What a terrific review. Goodness, he is a marvel and a treasure, no? | |
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| re: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 12:28 am EST 11/17/22 | |
| In reply to: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra - Chromolume 11:58 pm EST 11/16/22 | |
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| I have come to think of Rob Berman as the best conductor of musicals we currently have. Or at least the best I know of. | |
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| re: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra | |
| Posted by: ms721 01:15 am EST 11/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra - AlanScott 12:28 am EST 11/17/22 | |
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| I was privileged to be able to watch a few sitzprobes pre-Covid, and as former violin player and orchestra librarian, i always adored the fact that i could actually see Mr. Berman conduct from the orchestra pov. he had a deft hand, and a really great rapport with the musicians, in my opinion. | |
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| re: Rob Berman | |
| Posted by: Dale 09:51 am EST 11/17/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Maestro Berman and the ITW Orchestra - ms721 01:15 am EST 11/17/22 | |
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| I know his husband Chase... both are sweethearts who LOVE the business! | |
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