Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Oscar Hammerstein II

We talked about Richard Rodgers, and his writing partners Hart, and then Oscar Hammerstein III. We talked about their famous musicals. We went over these songs: My Heart Stood Still, Blue Moon, I’m just a girl who cain’t say no, Shall We Dance, Do A Deer – you should too!!!!!

“Of all the writers whose songs are considered and examined in this book, those of Rodgers show the highest degree of consistent excellence, inventiveness, and sophistication. As well, they bear the mark of the American song…”

-Alec Wilder. American Popular Song: The Great Innovators, 1900-1950 (Kindle Locations 2554-2555). Kindle Edition.

Richard Rodgers started out writing the music to songs with Larry (Lorenz) Hart who was a genius at writing the lyrics. They didn’t break through and…

Rodgers was considering quitting show business altogether to sell children’s underwear, when he and Hart finally broke through in 1925 (from Wikipedia).

First hit: Manhattan 1925

In 1927, My Heart Stood Still

Here a cover by James Taylor:

Blue Moon, 1934 – 

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, 1940

(from Pal Joey)

In the forties, Rodgers looked for a writing partner to replace Lionel Hart who was an alcoholic and unpredictable.

He started writing with Oscar Hammerstein II. The rest is history.

They created a string of wonderfully successful musicals, five of which are universally remembered.

Their musicals earned a total of 37 Tony Awards, 15 Academy Awards, two Pulitzer Prizes, two Grammy Awards, and two Emmy Awards (Wikipedia). 

Oklahoma 1949

Excuse me for showing you some movie trailers, but they sum up the plays so well!!

https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/misc-soundtrack/oklahoma-i-cant-say-no-chords-953291

South Pacific 1949

Some Enchanted Evening

from 4:30

The King and I 1951

The Sound of Music 1959

Two wonderful e-books by our own students!

Here is one by Regina, followed by another by Shir: