Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II [Hardcover]

Oscar Hammerstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1985

This volume, edited by William Hammerstein, encompasses lyrics from Oscar Hammerstein's entire canon; from the early "Indian Love Call" written in 1924 with Otto Harbach and Rudolph Friml, to his final song, "Edelweiss," written with his long-time collaborator Richard Rodgers in 1959. Oscar Hammerstein's introduction, Notes on Lyrics, has been an acknowledged classic text for musical theatre enthusiasts since 1949 and remains a definitive work today. To say Oscar Hammerstein II made a significant contribution to the art of lyric-writing is understating the case. He, with his lyrics, and his collaborators, with their music, rewove the fabric of the musical theatre for all time.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard; Rev Sub edition (October 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881883794
• ISBN-13: 978-0881883794
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,280,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Hammerstein

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem, December 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II (Hardcover)

If you write lyrics (or just love reading them) this is a fascinating read. It's much more than a collection of lyrics, it is the author's commentary on how he went about creating them, plus his views on what makes good lyric-writing and what does not. A little gem, this book is.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive companion to music theatre writing, March 31, 2008

By 

Jan H. Powell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II (Hardcover)

LYRICS by Oscar Hammerstein II remains the definitive manual for anyone writing lyrics for the music theatre. This update with new lyrics and forward by the author and preface by Steven Sondheim is the classic companion to Lehman Engel's book on the making of a musical. And no matter how far we look there will never be a better source for what works in the theatre. Mr. Hammerstein's lyrics remain the quintessential guide to writers, young and old alike, writing for characters on the stage. God bless Oscar!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars short but sweet, October 11, 2011

By 

James LaMar (Danville, IN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II (Hardcover)

I was both pleased and a little disappointed with this book. Oscar Hammerstein, II, was one of the greatest lyricists of our time, and others have said that his words inspired Richard Rodgers to write some of his most soaring melodies. Hammerstein was gracious in sharing many of his experiences honestly with the reader--which many celebrities will not do--and tells very succinctly how to strive for the best lyrics of which you might be capable of achieving.
The book, edited by his son, lists all of his lyrics, written for several different composers. You can learn a lot by reading his words and hearing how he composed them.
I was a bit disappointed, though, that Hammerstein's instructions were only about 50 pages or so. To learn more about songwriting, I have turned to other sources. But, this book is truly a classic and should be in the collection of anyone who admires the highest quality of talent, especially in literature and the theater. I would recommend it to anyone.