Ethan Mordden has been hailed as "a sharp-eared listener and a discerning critic;" by Opera News; which compares his books to "dinner with a knowledgeable; garrulous companion." The "preeminent historian of the American musical" (New York Times); he "brings boundless energy and enthusiasm buttressed by an arsenal of smart anecdotes" (Wall Street Journal). Now Mordden offers an entirely fresh and infectiously delightful history of American musical theatre.Anything Goes stages a grand revue of the musical from the 1700s through to the present day; narrated in Morddens famously witty; scholarly; and conversational style. He places us in a bare rehearsal room as the cast of Oklahoma! changes history by psychoanalyzing the plot in the greatest of the musicals many Dream Ballets. And he gives us tickets for orchestra seats on opening night-raising the curtain on the pleasures of Victor Herberts The Red Mill and the thrill of Porgy and Bess. Mordden examines the music; of course; but also more neglected elements. Dance was once considered as crucial as song; he follows it from the nineteenth centurys zany hoofing to tap "combinations" of the 1920s; from the injection of ballet and modern dance in the 1930s and 40s to the innovations of Bob Fosse. He also explores the changing structure of musical comedy and operetta; and the evolution of the role of the star. Fred Stone; the avuncular Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz; seldom varied his acting from part to part; but the versatile Ethel Merman turned the headlining role inside out in Gypsy; playing a character who was selfish; fierce; and destructive.From "ballad opera" to burlesque; from Fiddler on the Roof to Rent; the history and lore of the musical unfolds here in a performance worthy of a standing ovation.
#3725914 in eBooks 2013-07-04 2013-07-04File Name: B00DW22MDQ
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. This is; simply put; a fabulous book. ...By Rande W. ScarbroughThis is;simply put;a fabulous book.I have it on the shelf next to my signed copy of 900 days-the siege of Leningrad. (salisbury signed my copy at a conference re Vietnam in1983) Seige and Symphony is a triptych describing the writing and staging of the symphony;the savage;maniacal fighting between the Wehrmacht and the Red army ;overlaid with the constant arrests and murders conducted by Stalins secret police and the beyond comprehensible suffering of the citys civilians. This is an enthralling piece of work ;heart breaking and informative. Read the book;then sit down;lock the door; and listen to the 7th all the way through.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Musical accompaniment to a horrifying siegeBy Ron BohrA magnificent and chilling account of the siege of Leningrad in 1941-1942; and the composers travails in writing his powerful 7th Symphony in the midst of this battle.I played the symphony many times while reading this account; which follows it through each movement. This gives great appreciation of the music and its historic context.The siege was horrific; and Moynahan details both the brutality and the humanity shown by the Russians. And the citys musicians would do almost anything to continue performing; and their efforts to keep playing were extrodinary.Subsequent performance of the 7th Symphony in England and the U.S. helped gain allied support.Shostakovich played his part in this war; although his efforts werent appreciated by Stalin.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Detailed and DevastatingBy Doug Congdon-Martin; BethI couldnt put the book down. It was detailed with attribution given to diaries and other materials found or left behind during the war. What happened to artists during the siege; including Shostakovich; was included with details from friends and colleagues as written during the time period. While the dramatic denouement is the story of the performance of Shostakovichs Seventh Symphony; the book brings vivid context to the siege and its effect on all the inhabitants of Leningrad. At the books conclusion I would have liked more detail of Shostakovich following the siege; his return to Leningrad and his career in the aftermath. I gave the book four stars due only to my experience. It took me a while to become acclimated to the writing style which felt to me like a translation into English from a foreign language.