Our free revision resource hears Wicked’s lyricist and composer, Stephen Schwartz, break down the musical themes and inspiration behind many of the score’s iconic motifs.
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SHEET MUSIC BAR NUMBERS
(Please note, all bar numbers below are specific to the official London/Broadway scores. Other versions are available.)
00:49 discussion: the fanfare (technically at least, in its truest incarnation with the 3rd) appears in Defying Gravity at bar 191
01:14 discussion: - the Db (C#I) fanfare is prominent throughout, in a number of keys; for example bar 20 in Bb, bar 26 in E, in its original incarnation “Elphaba’s Growing Power” at 37B/C and at other moments, A major at bar 123, triumphantly in B major at bar 147 before returning to the home key at bar 152.
01:44 discussion : The “Unlimited” theme starts bar 99 (101)
04:25 discussion: bar 119 - 124 ‘A growing power’. During this musical passage Glinda puts a cape around Elphaba, the last element to visually complete the fully formed ‘Witch’ (the hat, the broom, and finally the cape) as Elphaba calmly rises in a new imposing silhouette, with this theme underneath.
06:22: The “Unlimited” theme starts bar 99 (101)
06:38: “Something has changed…” is bar 38
06:51: “So if you care to find me…” is bar 158
08:03: “too long I’ve been afraid…” is bar 75 - 82
09:05 discussion: This is the very opening of the show. In Defying Gravity this theme comes back at bar 191 in Bb minor.