I had a spectacular moment in 1996 in San Diego with Barbara Cook. She was giving a concert and only about 10 people showed up. I had a seat in the back and quickly moved up to the front. Barbara was on a stool for many of the songs. She sat on the chair, and sang “Losing My Mind” to me. Staring directly at me. There was barely a soul in the house and she thanked me after she sang for focusing on me (because I was right in front of her). I was embarrassed that San Diego had not come out to hear that voice, but then I was glad because I’ll never forget that moment with Barbara Cook.
@zyxw20242 жыл бұрын
That's once in a life experience. Brilliant. 😊 I can't say the same, in fact I can't recall when, maybe 45 years ago I saw her perform in a Manhattan venue, once. Beautiful voice!!
@AdamBechtol2 жыл бұрын
wow
@hawby7mgh2 жыл бұрын
Just unreal at that point in her career - that there would barely be anyone in attendance.
@WendyWatersctmm2 жыл бұрын
'If you're personal you're universal." Thank you Stephen for bringing art back to the soul where it belongs.
@AdamBechtol2 жыл бұрын
And thank you for reminding me of this quote
@MelissaErrico4 жыл бұрын
I absolutely loved listening to this. And I learned the word "Diagetic." Hello to all Sondheimians.
@nickbigd3 жыл бұрын
I bet you were surprised to hear your name dropped by Barbara. Well deserved, too!
@MelissaErrico3 жыл бұрын
@@nickbigd truly grateful. Thank you Nick.
@confessionhorrorbaby4 жыл бұрын
Barbara is so right about how a lot of singers are more concerned with the notes than the words. She was one of the greats!
@sheilabloom67352 жыл бұрын
R.I.P. Both are irreplaceable..
@peteralfano42784 жыл бұрын
Two of the greats. Singers need to listen to how Barbara interprets lyrics. Too many contemporary younger performers think just hitting and belting the high notes is what it's about. It's about the emotions of the words and music combined. She will always be perfection. And then Mr.Sondheim--well, what more can be said of his genius. And a nice man--I met him years ago.
@peterdavino44082 жыл бұрын
Peter I'm so happy for you mentioning that Sondheim was a nice man. It's so nice to know that not only was he the master musical innovator but also a really good person, down to earth, humble and kind. All of the true greats have these same qualities.
@p.o6942 жыл бұрын
it can also be about belting. People like Aretha Franklin,Etta James and Lisa Stanfield have used it very effectively to emote. People always like to act like it has no artistic value.0
@peteralfano42782 жыл бұрын
@@p.o694 very true..their belting had emotions and added to interpretation. It wasn't belting for the sake of belting.
@dianaaljadeff29832 жыл бұрын
Two unique artists a great composer a marveleus singers.Both are gone now but this interview is historical
@jeffwatkins352Ай бұрын
Wonderful talk front to back, with Cook's rendition of Loving You the heart stopping cherry on top. With Julie Andrews, Cook is arguably the most beautiful voice of my lifetime. Loved her mentioning Esparza and Foster though was momentarily distressed she didn't include Groff until I realized Spring Awakening wouldn't premiere until two years after this interview. Groff has, over the last months, loomed large as a voice/interpretive artist coming to rival the best of the best.
@t.p.mckenna3 жыл бұрын
What's so marvellous about this interview is that two artists like these don't bullshit each other so we know we're hearing total truth and those no varnish by the interviewer or a PR person.
@willec71053 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this rare gem. I had no idea these two genius artists were interviewed together; so rich, personal, informational, and deep. Both Barbara and Steven are in a class by themselves and have given us such a treasure trove of both emotional and artistic beauty. And both are so intelligent and articulate which isn't always true of great artists.
@keybawd4023 Жыл бұрын
How wonderful to hear these brilliant people speaking such good sense and making intelligent comments and giving us insights. Absolutely fascinating. Barbara Cook and Stephen Sonheim - what brilliant talented artists.
@bingbongtoysKY3 күн бұрын
this is great, all of these videos are great-🎉
@MichaelYoder19613 ай бұрын
A great discussion and Stephen was such a mensch, he fascinates me -- ZT"l
@NP_is_not_here2 ай бұрын
I miss them both so much.
@782YKW4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for posting. WE NEED SONDHEIM !!!!
@Bailey2006a3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for posting this gem
@stevehinnenkamp56257 ай бұрын
Insights to be cherished by two outstanding artists forever.
@mickjr270 Жыл бұрын
Such a treat! Both gone and never to be replaced.
@fairamir13 жыл бұрын
I wish he would open up his trunk songs and release them for us to hear...probably a few hundred of them..
@nokocchi19833 жыл бұрын
FLAHOOLEY!! i love that show. it needs a ton of work. but. im glad it got a shout out!
@jaygatz433510 ай бұрын
Two giants of Broadway - with all their experience and anecdotes - showing us the excellence of the golden age.
@AdamBechtol2 жыл бұрын
I love Sondheim sure, my favorite, but dang Barbara is just a sheer delight.
@chookaschookas4443 жыл бұрын
I'm distracted by the fact she wasn't given a chair that was right for her height. Even a footstool would have meant she didn't have to struggle to stay on her chair. The discussion itself is wonderful and informative
@scrollingthroughsondheim54824 жыл бұрын
where on earth do you find these? thank you so much for sharing.
@janicepargh5155 Жыл бұрын
This man is brilliant.
@barbarahourigan84622 жыл бұрын
❤️❤️
@nondescript28924 жыл бұрын
"The british school..like influenza...has peaked"..LOL
@TheKelJacob4 жыл бұрын
Yeah...he didn't see this coming.
@jotaeme74363 жыл бұрын
I don't get that. What does he mean? Is it a criticism to A.L.W?
@jotaeme74363 жыл бұрын
@Charlie Charlie what does it mean?
@kcunning2 жыл бұрын
@@jotaeme7436 , yes, deservedly.
@WendyWatersctmm2 жыл бұрын
@@jotaeme7436 he means that ALW is clogging up the flow in the UK. With his overblown productions and ordinary scores and mostly forgettable lyrics ever since he unwisely ditched the genius Tim Rice theatre-goers think they don't get their money's worth if there isn't a 5 million pound set. Sondheim was punting for that rare genius that can stand alone with just a piano and a bare set and touch the heart, mind and soul with lyrics that chime with the human condition. ALW has ruined UK theatre for the emerging musical theatre writers who can't afford to "dress up" their work. Hopefully with the passing of the great SS there will be a renewed appreciation and demand for true genius in musical theatre without all the special effects.
@ernlwjr24 жыл бұрын
❤️
@jaycee3303 жыл бұрын
22:40 I know exactly which book this was, Stephen Banfield's "Sondheim's Broadway Musicals".
@jandreidrn2 жыл бұрын
30:49 is he referring to: John Kander Fred Ebb Sheldon Harnick(?) Jerry Herman
@donnyg659511 ай бұрын
great interview
@user-kf8wb2cq4f9 ай бұрын
Sondheim basically stated Barbara COOK is superior to STREISAND. Personally.. I think STREISAND has more Versatility in her Style BUT COOK is more genuine and real when she's performing on stage..Cook is in the moment. STREISAND is a bit detached when performing LIVE (and Barbra always states she Dislikes singing Live in concert).
@mjm50812 жыл бұрын
🙏 ✌ ❤ 🎶 🌎 👏
@petercallahan73212 ай бұрын
Love them both but I have to admit I’ve never understood Sondheim’s dismissive attitude towards opera. He clarifies this in his books later on and admits it’s his problem and no one else’s. But it’s odd the hear a man who is so intelligent basically state that opera is all about people going “look, I can sing” when it’s so not that. And given how much of his music (not his lyrics so much ) so clearly is indebted to advances in classical music (more so than advances in musicals I would argue) it’s a little puzzling.
@windowtrimmer8211 Жыл бұрын
Tell me I look nice
@jotaeme74363 жыл бұрын
What does Sondheim say at 29:00? Why is it so funny?
@vickyrobinson64293 жыл бұрын
reference to the 2004 influenza
@jotaeme74363 жыл бұрын
@@vickyrobinson6429 I don't get it
@jaycee3303 жыл бұрын
@@jotaeme7436 Meaning the "infection" of those types of musicals has passed.
@willcwhite4 жыл бұрын
Stephen's hair and beard are so long & unkempt here!
@tyramey12653 жыл бұрын
That is what you took from this? What a shallow turd you are.
@willcwhite3 жыл бұрын
@@tyramey1265 I try! :)
@charlesevans69182 жыл бұрын
@@willcwhite and succeed
@Macrogue652 жыл бұрын
Worst interviewer ever! Thank god for Sondheim and Cook!