Customer Reviews

The Stephen Schwartz Songbook

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the type of book that will keep you wrapped in its pages for hours on end! The 286 pages contain selections from Godspell, Pippin, Children of Eden, Working, Rags, Pocahontas, Hunchback, Prince of Egypt, Gepetto, Magic Show, Butterflies Are Free, Baker's Wife, and Schwartz' own private collection. All of the piano accompaniments are thankfully accurate to the original arrangements - none of it was cut down or simplified, which makes for sometimes challenging but always unbelievably enriching music. Just to be able to play and sing these songs in their true form is enough to make your life complete! One warning - all of the harmony parts are transferred into solo arrangements, so that they can be more easily performed.

Still, this is the perfect songbook to have - whether for audition music or enjoyment!

It has some great songs in it. But where is Magic to Do, Simple Joys, Oh Bless The Lord My Soul, Turn Back O Man and Average Ordinary Kind of Woman? There are a few other awesome songs from Working and Children of Eden that are missing too.
Not that it detracts from this collection...is there a volume 2?

Schwartz's anthology is a milestone in a group of new musical theatre writers who, realizing that the vocal score is becoming less and less of a viable market option, put out songbooks with exquisite authentic transcriptions. Although they might not fit well under the hands of less experienced pianists, the fleshed out arrangements are a joy to play and they really give you the ability to hear and judge Schwartz' fairly, even if you've never heard the original recordings of these songs. Another bonus is how you can see and hear as Schwartz matures from a ambitious folkie balladeer in the 60's to a mature thoughtful songsmith of the new millenium. Personally, I was thrilled to find more music from "The Baker's Wife," originally unpublished, but now unearthed gems as the show gains popularity in regional productions. One of the reviewers suggested another volume. One can only hope.

I was so excited to find this book of music. I had purchased the music to "Wicked" and absolutely LOVED it! The music was the tune of each song carried by the piano; it was not written as an accompaniment for the vocalist. After playing through a few tunes from this book I was so disappointed. The music is, of course, beautiful, but it highlights the vocalist. If you're looking for "solos" they just aren't there.