So Long to Sondheim

December 13, 2021

If you think of American theater (here meaning Broadway, not the local movieplex), you can't help but think of Stephen Sondheim. Recently we lost this irreplaceable musical presence. Sondheim was the genius lyricist who worked with Leonard Bernstein on West Side Story (a new version was just released to movie theaters on 12.10). He then proceeded to create some of the most loved and iconic musicals of all time in Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and A Little Night Music. Without Sondheim, there would be no Wicked or Hamilton. 

My favorite song of his is probably "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music:

Just when I stopped
Opening doors
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair
Sure of my lines
Noone is there

Check out NPL's Sondheim collection to experience the magic from the master. He was definitely one of a kind and will be much missed.

Stephen Sondheim, 1930-2021

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Amanda

Amanda is a classically-trained pianist who loves to read. Like any good librarian, she also has two cats named after Italian cities. Amanda spends her free time sitting in Nashville traffic, baking, and running the Interlibrary Loan office at the Nashville Public Library.

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