West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Sunday in the Park and COMPANY are my absolute most favorite musicals. I was 13 when I watched the studio recording of Company. It was life-altering.
This fellow Seth Rudetsky is really talented, entertaining and informative. I'd never heard the "Bobby baby" in the background - it ups my appreciation for the arrangement and the fine-tuned unity of Company's music and theme. Thanks very much.
I love you, Seth, for your energy, love of Broadway, and fantastic sense of humor. But most of all, for the incredible teacher/coach that you are! I'll never forget your master class.
OMG that part where you mentioned the Bobby leitmotif in the orchestration completely blew my mind!!! I've sung this song and listened to it so many times and never noticed it! Thank you!!!
I noticed the Bobby reference a while back, but only because I played pit for the show and the musical quote was in my clarinet part! Love this song so much!
This video is amazing. I love how Sondheim and his orchestrations can blow your mind sometimes. Thanks for pointing out the mind blowing moments! Seriously, that "Bobby "part…
This is amazing. You explain orchestrations so thoroughly for the layman. I love musicals but have no talent in that department so this explains why I love the songs that I love. Your enthusiasm and love for your subject is admirable.
Your videos are a joy. You really should be creating and teaching a legit Music Theatre History or Materials of Music Theatre course. (Such a thing rarely exists, if at all - and I have a BFA Music Theatre '88!) I suffered through Theatre History and Music History in my training, but nothing spoke about what YOU are speaking about. Thank you!
Fun fact-the term “syncopated” is derived from “syncope” (fainting, swooning), not synchronicity (which is, actually, the opposite of what syncopation in music is), so it doesn’t have an “h” 😉
@@vinista256 Thanks for the correction of my unconscious typing. I don't know where to file this, under "Better late than never" or "The Seven Year Itch...finally scratched" :) Cheers!
Goddamit, I've known loved played and sung this song forever and I never noticed the "Bobby, baby" in the trumpets. I literally paused the video and looked it up in my vocal score. Definitely more subtle than the "Someone Is Waiting" in "Being Alive." That's what I love about Sondheim. There's still more to learn music you've been listening to for years.
You are incredible. I just discovered you in an article re: christine ebersole who you will be performing with in San Francisco. I live there. Geez..and the tickets are sold out.........You are a treasure...
John and I saw Company this month in Madrid (w/Antonio Banderas) and now it is time for me to get soaked in this analytical view. It adds yet another level to the experience. Thank you, Seth.
Seth, you always amaze me with your penchant for little things in the big songs - and I've always loved Company - and this song - you have deconstructed it so well. Thanks for your insights on this and many other BW songs/shows.
Very entertaining! I've watched this several times over and come back to it. I love this song and yes, it is the New York Theme Song! Who can ride the subway without ever having this tune come to mind? Seth's deconstruction is really astute too!!!
Pam just directed Company at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH> I enjoyed that performance more than the Tony winning on at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. I asked how terrified the young lady was when she sang this for her, and Pam stated that it was only temporary. I don't remember the young lady's name, and my program is mislaid, but, not only did she greatly impress me, but she also was just a freshman. If a life in Theatre is her goal, this one may make it.
I totally thought the same exact things you did re this song when I first heard it in music school 10,000 years ago. You're awesome. And your real life backdrop is amazing
"We just repeat the same song three times until you like it" 😂 This deconstruction is amazing, really makes me appreciate the brilliance of this song. Thank you!
I hope he's still doing these deconstructions (obv he's busy with stars in the house) cuz it's so amazing to hear the break down and how excited he is about it all.
Thank you so much Seth! I enjoy the deconstruction aspect. I'm a music lover, not a musician. Your segment adds more dimensions for me to love. During COVID-19, I've immersed myself in Broadway music. Sondheim's music has brought me so much joy (after the crying!) Thank you again. I just noticed this was from 2012. LOL But it doesn't matter at all. :)
I have nothing to add. All you guys said everything I wanted to say. That makes us “kindred”. That’s what human connection is all about. We see, appreciate, celebrate the same things in the human experience.
Seth. You are such a talented and gifted performer to watch! I love your interpretations and excellent piano skills! I remember hearing you play with Ms. LuPone many years ago. I was so impressed by both of your performances and said as I walked out of the theatre, "What a beautiful performance by Patti and Seth, only needing their art and humanity to tell stories with their songs; her voice and a piano!"
So glad you found Jonathan’s counter-melody of the opening number. As I’m sure you’ve noticed him doing it in many other instances throughout this brilliant musical. Especially in Being Alive. Great job!! I played it regional on keyboards and LOVED it!!!! And worked with Jonathan Tunick on Night Music: a brilliant, kind, and extremely talented gentleman who was so helpful and knew every aspect of his orchestration, and knew how to really accompany and provide the paint for Sondheim’s canvas. I look forward to finding more of your insights.
Seth , I enjoyed your commentary on Company. I was a member of that Orchestra. In fact I am the one playing that low clarinet part. It is a Contra Alto Clarinet. It is used with a Bass Trombone in a cup mute and the string bass in pizz.. I am only visible during the last few moments, the fade ending. I had a goatee at the time. Don’t blink.
After watching this for the fourth time I realized the trumpet part with the „Bobby… etc.“ starts right at Friends of Friends who they never know and that kinda relates to the opening number where they’re all inviting Bobby to events
"the show's about this guy named Bobby who's a bastard that everyone's obsessed with" Seth Rudetsky somehow manages to summarized Company perfectly in less than 15 words
love this! can't stop laughing! Your findings are great and it makes me look at songs differently (in a better way) keep on doing what your doing! Sondheim is always a genius! You and Sondheim make a perfect video. You are so good at the piano! Can we be friends!!!??
Brava!! Seth for noticing those little things and the smoking thing freaked me out when I saw the "Making Of" video as well. I was mostly thinking how could they have all that smoke around the singers especially since they had to do everything in one day (except for Elaine Stritch and, "Ladies Who Lunch"
Going to see the current tour for the second time this Saturday in Cleveland. ❤❤ I love the gender swaps in this rendition and it's amazing how much doesn't need changed to make that work. Welp.... that's just some brilliancccce right there.
Growing up in the age of texting and facebook, it blew my mind to realize that the beginning of Company is actually a phone busy signal and NOT an alarm clock! Thanks Seth. Like, the heavenly voices just sounded so much like waking up from a dream, but now I guess it makes sense since when Bobby talks to Marta he says that the symbol of New York is a busy signal, and in a way Bobby just embodies New York, New York. Sample busy signal: ua-cam.com/video/CU7F5qKX07w/v-deo.html
Again you showed me something I never noticed before. Bobby Baby in the orchestration at the end of Another Hundred People. I guess subconsciously I felt it but never heard it. Sondheim is amazing. Maybe even Extraordinary? {I too saw Pippin before hearing Company so I agree. Schwartz did it first..)
"I can't exactly play it..." (plays it perfectly anyway). I love you Seth Rudetsky.
He is such a clever listener
And you are a great singer.
He's such a clever everything.
"We're hustling and bustling; we're eighth notes!"
(And we're syncopated!)
My mood: "Everything's fun! Really? Two minutes later it's devastating."
It’s May 2020, I woke up thinking of New York, and this song, and I wept; another hundred people...
I hope you are well Seth.
❤️
This song, as all Sondheim, a masterpiece. Myers killed it like no other. I feel it all. Your deconstruction makes its brand new all over again.
I'm so in love with Seth; his humor, his passion, he is captivating
West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Sunday in the Park and COMPANY are my absolute most favorite musicals. I was 13 when I watched the studio recording of Company. It was life-altering.
I got to play Marta in this show in College. This song was a bit*h to learn but AMAZING to sing!!! Thanks for letting me reminisce.
This fellow Seth Rudetsky is really talented, entertaining and informative. I'd never heard the "Bobby baby" in the background - it ups my appreciation for the arrangement and the fine-tuned unity of Company's music and theme. Thanks very much.
Now plumb the mysteries of "Bobby bubi." Not really a Boston thing, in my Andover experience
No Chicago fans?! What?!
You crack me up!
I love you, Seth, for your energy, love of Broadway, and fantastic sense of humor. But most of all, for the incredible teacher/coach that you are! I'll never forget your master class.
OMG that part where you mentioned the Bobby leitmotif in the orchestration completely blew my mind!!! I've sung this song and listened to it so many times and never noticed it! Thank you!!!
"Very 'Promises Promises'!" It would be - 'Promises Promises' was the show that Jonathan Tunick orchestrated just before working on 'Company' :)
You make sense of music I admired for years
love your analysis, I totally agree about being the quintessential New York song, the joy and the isolation of living in a big city.
A sweet kiss from Spain.
Now we want to listen to the whole album again. One of the greatest cast recordings!
I noticed the Bobby reference a while back, but only because I played pit for the show and the musical quote was in my clarinet part! Love this song so much!
This video is amazing. I love how Sondheim and his orchestrations can blow your mind sometimes. Thanks for pointing out the mind blowing moments! Seriously, that "Bobby "part…
This is amazing. You explain orchestrations so thoroughly for the layman. I love musicals but have no talent in that department so this explains why I love the songs that I love. Your enthusiasm and love for your subject is admirable.
I like the way she says “A nutha hundred people just got offa da train”, real Brooklyn. Hot stuff!
wow I never noticed the Bobby Bobby Reprise in the horns
Your videos are a joy. You really should be creating and teaching a legit Music Theatre History or Materials of Music Theatre course. (Such a thing rarely exists, if at all - and I have a BFA Music Theatre '88!) I suffered through Theatre History and Music History in my training, but nothing spoke about what YOU are speaking about. Thank you!
I wonder if this is how Leonard Bernstein always wanted to do his Young People's Concerts. Imagine if classical music were to be taught this way ... !
Have always LOVED this song and most Sondheim music...he's so brilliant! Seth wonderful job, you are such a hoot, a talented one at that
+harlemhomme yes!!! Into the woods, sweeny tod, a little night music, company amazing shows! Seth really knows what he is doing!
This song is a major reason why I will visit New York in August.
And one more thing---Tunick adds a horn riff from DER ROSENKAVALIER to "A Weekend in the Country" in NIGHT MUSIC. Listen for it!
We're 8th notes and we're synchopated...Brilliant, Mr. Rudetsky
Fun fact-the term “syncopated” is derived from “syncope” (fainting, swooning), not synchronicity (which is, actually, the opposite of what syncopation in music is), so it doesn’t have an “h” 😉
@@vinista256 Thanks for the correction of my unconscious typing. I don't know where to file this, under "Better late than never" or "The Seven Year Itch...finally scratched" :) Cheers!
I love your deconstructions and humorous delivery. I so enjoy listening and learning from you. Best, Mark
Goddamit, I've known loved played and sung this song forever and I never noticed the "Bobby, baby" in the trumpets. I literally paused the video and looked it up in my vocal score. Definitely more subtle than the "Someone Is Waiting" in "Being Alive."
That's what I love about Sondheim. There's still more to learn music you've been listening to for years.
"We just repeat the same song three times til you like it." XD I can't even breathe right now.
"I just voided" You slay my Mr. Rudetsky.
Seth - you are amazing. Love these deconstructions.
You are incredible. I just discovered you in an article re: christine ebersole who you will be performing with in San Francisco. I live there. Geez..and the tickets are sold out.........You are a treasure...
I guess there actually ARE people who've listened to this even more than me. Now that's scary.
I love the Pippin pose at the end! So funny.
I have enjoyed this song ever since my parents bought it back in the 70's. Excellent insights!
"Really? I just voided." Oh my god, Seth, I love you so much.
Amazing analysis and great fun, as always! I love Seth Rudetsky!
John and I saw Company this month in Madrid (w/Antonio Banderas) and now it is time for me to get soaked in this analytical view. It adds yet another level to the experience. Thank you, Seth.
thanks for highlighting that opening number accompaniment. so brilliant.
boy-I wish I could have have Seth go through my entire musical collection eith me-luv these deconstructions! thanks Seth!
BRILLIANT DECONSTRUCT!
I just heard this song for the first time in rehearsals today (I’m a stage hand) and it blew me away! I’m so glad he covered this song.
Seth, you always amaze me with your penchant for little things in the big songs - and I've always loved Company - and this song - you have deconstructed it so well. Thanks for your insights on this and many other BW songs/shows.
Very entertaining! I've watched this several times over and come back to it. I love this song and yes, it is the New York Theme Song! Who can ride the subway without ever having this tune come to mind? Seth's deconstruction is really astute too!!!
Pam just directed Company at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH> I enjoyed that performance more than the Tony winning on at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. I asked how terrified the young lady was when she sang this for her, and Pam stated that it was only temporary. I don't remember the young lady's name, and my program is mislaid, but, not only did she greatly impress me, but she also was just a freshman. If a life in Theatre is her goal, this one may make it.
It is also coolio that "City of Strangers" shows up in exact key and phrasing in "Sweeney Todd"
Best commentary: "Take a Paxil".
Thank goodness I'm not the only one here who was annoyed by him immediately. I DO like what he had to say, but, man, lay off the caffeine!!!
Man ...i am a dude travelling a long journey here in India and just heard the musical and here I am appreciating it more.
Seth, really fun & definitely deconstructed. Would love to hear you sing more, you have a great voice. your pal in Philly.
I absolutely love how you break it all down. Amazing!!!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤
I totally thought the same exact things you did re this song when I first heard it in music school 10,000 years ago. You're awesome. And your real life backdrop is amazing
I wish he'd come back & do these again.
"We just repeat the same song three times until you like it" 😂 This deconstruction is amazing, really makes me appreciate the brilliance of this song. Thank you!
Excellent! Thanks for share of vid.
I hope he's still doing these deconstructions (obv he's busy with stars in the house) cuz it's so amazing to hear the break down and how excited he is about it all.
I love these segments! Made me miss New York.
Thank you so much Seth! I enjoy the deconstruction aspect. I'm a music lover, not a musician. Your segment adds more dimensions for me to love. During COVID-19, I've immersed myself in Broadway music. Sondheim's music has brought me so much joy (after the crying!) Thank you again. I just noticed this was from 2012. LOL But it doesn't matter at all. :)
This song is everything
YOU ARE BRILLIANT...I also listened to this 8 thousand times a day since the 70's. You just made me fall in love with it all over again. Thank you!
I have nothing to add. All you guys said everything I wanted to say. That makes us “kindred”. That’s what human connection is all about. We see, appreciate, celebrate the same things in the human experience.
Seth. You are such a talented and gifted performer to watch! I love your interpretations and excellent piano skills! I remember hearing you play with Ms. LuPone many years ago. I was so impressed by both of your performances and said as I walked out of the theatre, "What a beautiful performance by Patti and Seth, only needing their art and humanity to tell stories with their songs; her voice and a piano!"
How wonderful are you? Thank you for this, incredible after watching Lonnie's documentary. Thank you, thank you!
RIP Stephen Sondheim, wonderful man.
I love how you love it! I enjoy it so much more and learn so much about the song because of you!
OK I love you Seth!❤
Fantastic!
So glad you found Jonathan’s counter-melody of the opening number. As I’m sure you’ve noticed him doing it in many other instances throughout this brilliant musical. Especially in Being Alive. Great job!! I played it regional on keyboards and LOVED it!!!! And worked with Jonathan Tunick on Night Music: a brilliant, kind, and extremely talented gentleman who was so helpful and knew every aspect of his orchestration, and knew how to really accompany and provide the paint for Sondheim’s canvas. I look forward to finding more of your insights.
Seth..... WOW you nailed THIS!!!! It IS the perfect NYC song! WOW! Love this review!
Seth , I enjoyed your commentary on Company. I was a member of that Orchestra. In fact I am the one playing that low clarinet part. It is a Contra Alto Clarinet. It is used with a Bass Trombone in a cup mute and the string bass in pizz.. I am only visible during the last few moments, the fade ending. I had a goatee at the time. Don’t blink.
@@joelkaye411 You are immortalised here: ua-cam.com/video/hn2WEoBFOe8/v-deo.html at 2:33
Love you, love this!
this is such an amazing video!
After watching this for the fourth time I realized the trumpet part with the „Bobby… etc.“ starts right at Friends of Friends who they never know and that kinda relates to the opening number where they’re all inviting Bobby to events
Pam Myers is truly amazing.
This. Is. Awesome. Thank you!
Damn I never noticed the voices in the background before!
Seth is amazing!
AHHHHHH. THIS IS BRILLIANT!!!!!!
i love this guy!
I wish he’d do videos on the different actresses who’ve sung this and say high lights. I loved this break down! Music Theory for the win. 😂
My daughter is rehearsing this for homework at conservatory in NYC!
Nice work Seth.
"the show's about this guy named Bobby who's a bastard that everyone's obsessed with" Seth Rudetsky somehow manages to summarized Company perfectly in less than 15 words
great song
Love this song
You are marvelous....
I love this song and the breakdown. BTW, this is your best haircut.
That is my favorite song about NYC. Thank you! #Genius 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
love this! can't stop laughing! Your findings are great and it makes me look at songs differently (in a better way) keep on doing what your doing! Sondheim is always a genius! You and Sondheim make a perfect video. You are so good at the piano! Can we be friends!!!??
I saw her play Mama Rose in Gypsy in Cincinnati and I went back two more times because she was so wonderful.
Omg I would love to see her do that role
Obsessed. BRAVA!
bobby come on over for dinner. yessss. thanks for having this channel. it rocks.
this is great stuff, why did I just found your videos now? -__-
Such a New York video about such a New York song.
Brava!! Seth for noticing those little things and the smoking thing freaked me out when I saw the "Making Of" video as well. I was mostly thinking how could they have all that smoke around the singers especially since they had to do everything in one day (except for Elaine Stritch and, "Ladies Who Lunch"
Wonderful essay of a Sondheim masterpiece. Seth has a stalker/fan off at far away window on the left around 9.43.
This is amazing! Please do "Could I Leave You?" from Follies!
I love the Lee Remick version of it from the 1985 Follies in Concert
My favorite version is the Donna Murphy one from "Sondheim's 80th Birthday Concert".
Going to see the current tour for the second time this Saturday in Cleveland. ❤❤
I love the gender swaps in this rendition and it's amazing how much doesn't need changed to make that work. Welp.... that's just some brilliancccce right there.
Seth you are so smart and talented and knowledgable. Wow. Thanks. Also, can you see the East River from that window?
OMG 9:38 JUST BLEW MY MIND! That is perfect!
I love the Bobby part too :)
Growing up in the age of texting and facebook, it blew my mind to realize that the beginning of Company is actually a phone busy signal and NOT an alarm clock! Thanks Seth.
Like, the heavenly voices just sounded so much like waking up from a dream, but now I guess it makes sense since when Bobby talks to Marta he says that the symbol of New York is a busy signal, and in a way Bobby just embodies New York, New York.
Sample busy signal:
ua-cam.com/video/CU7F5qKX07w/v-deo.html
Again you showed me something I never noticed before. Bobby Baby in the orchestration at the end of Another Hundred People. I guess subconsciously I felt it but never heard it. Sondheim is amazing. Maybe even Extraordinary? {I too saw Pippin before hearing Company so I agree. Schwartz did it first..)
It was a muted trombone doing the "ba-bom", Seth. :)