Hamlet - A User's Guide (Limelight) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a book accessible to any Shakespeare reader - not just the theater or academic professional.The writing is direct & dynamic, Pennington discusses each scene & character individually, and his footnotedpersonal comments add even more to one's understanding.I particularlyenjoyed his footnote about advice he received from an 11 year old regardinghow to play Claudius and the Ghost.Something you will find here andrarely elsewhere: more than a passing mention of Rosencrantz &Guildenstern's roles, although I take exception to Pennington's view ofthem as essentionally innocent characters.I'd rate this 5 stars if he hadwritten a better analysis of the character of Horatio.Pennington balanceshis odd defense of R&G by down-playing Horatio's integrity.Hisanalysis of the Play Within the Play Scene comes to an astonishing &wise conclusion about the real victim.I've seen it nowhere else; no - Iwon't tell you here; read the book.Educators: this is an A+ supplement toa class study of Hamlet whether at the high school or college level.

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"Pennington's great experience of the play...love for it...depth of knowledge...of many productions and interpretations culminate in a book of infinite value to any actor, director and above all to any passionate playgoer...written with passion, humor and rigor...an excellent read." -Ralph Fiennes

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Parsifal in Full Score Review

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(More customer reviews)Wagner's Parsifal, his "last" opera, is also in many ways his most moving on an intellectual and spiritual level. Full of Schopenhauerian resignation which rises beyond the pessimism of The World as Will and Idea into the world of Buddhist renunciation, Parsifal uses Christian metaphor to show the futility of striving and the peace to be gained from release.

However, this review will obviously be of the Dover edition of the full score, not the opera itself. Also, I won't comment on the previous negative review, except to add that the reviewer should do Wagner and the world a favor and read Macgee's The Tristan Chord: Wagner and Philosophy, and give the slanderous and bizarre Wagner-Hitler link a well-deserved rest. Wagner was an anti-semite, but to somehow link this to Hitler is a classic example of the genetic fallacy (where did this idea ever come from, anyway? The Nazis loved Beethoven far more than Wagner's left-wing revolutionary aural madness,it never really fit with their style....)

The Dover editions of Wagner's full scores are the most useful editions available for actually listening to and studying Wagner's Gesamtkunstwerken, and are a bargain at twice the price. Professional musicians will of course recognize that the G. Schirmer editions are the ones most often used for actual performances and rehearsals, particularly the Schirmer piano reductions (either the good old green hardbacks or the orange paperbacks). But even professionals make good use of the Dover editions, since they are ideal for sitting down with a good set of headphones and a cup of coffee to take in the brilliance that was Wagner.

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Unabridged score of composer's last opera, renowned for splendid music and glowing orchestration. Deeply personal treatment of the legend of the Holy Grail, themes of sacred and profane love, innocence and purity, remorse and sexual renunciation. Reprint of authoritative C.F. Peters edition, including list of characters and contents in both German and English.

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The Musical World of Boublil and Schonberg: The Creators of Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and The Pirate Queen (Applause Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is a wonderfully insightful book to some of my favorite musicals!I really enjoyed the background information as to how some of the musicals came to be, the processes that were followed...everything!I highly recommend this book!

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Two Frenchmen, an idea, and a blank piece of paper. That's how it started. Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg are the creators of the multi-award-winning and much-loved musicals Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and now an exciting new work The Pirate Queen. Les Miserables alone has been seen by over 53 million people. The Musical World of Boublil and Schonberg is the first book to offer a comprehensive look behind the closed doors of these intensely private musical theatre giants. Boublil and Schonberg take center stage and talk openly about their methods and the creative processes involved in writing the book, the music, and the lyrics. Additional interviews from collaborators such as their co-writers Herbert Kretzmer, Richard Maltby, Stephen Clark, and John Dempsey; their directors Trevor Nunn, John Caird, Nicholas Hytner, Conall Morrison, and Frank Galati; the choreographer of The Pirate Queen, Mark Dendy; and their long-time producer Cameron Mackintosh gives the reader a full view into their successful process. Full-color production photographs tell the story of each musical.Visit www.musicalworld-boublil-schonberg.com for more information!

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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Piano/Vocal/Chords) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's books like this that made me wish I had the natural talent for music, or had at least studied and practiced hard enough to develop talent. The motion picture score that Howard Shore composed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy is absolutely brilliant, and while nothing can match his magnificent orchestra, there is something unique and incredible about hearing the same music played on a simple piano -- coming from your very own fingers.
The front cover is one of the promotional posters (NOT the DVD cover as was the case with the other two piano books from the trilogy) showing Saruman from the back commanding his 10,000 Uruk-hai. If you look on the right, although it is geographically incorrect, you can see Edoras in Rohan in the distance. Inside the book are forty pages, eight of which are movie pictures. Once again, there are some gruesome orcs pictured inside, in case you have little hobbits around the house that might get scared.
The music includes:
- Gollum's Song, the end-credits song of the movie. Not very enjoyable to play, I'd say...it's a rather mournful and melancholy song.
- Evenstar, which is all-Elvish, but surprisingly doesn't provide the translation. Shouldn't be too hard to dig one up on the internet, however. The tune is pretty, the background for Aragorn's dream/vision of Arwen in The Two Towers.
- Isengard Unleashed, which begins as the soundtrack score does, with the lament for Haldir upon his untimely death in the battle for Helm's Deep. Then it moves on to the score for the Ents as they march to war. This is probably the longest in the book, maybe of all three books. Afterwards, they give the translation of the war song of the Ents.
- Breath of Life, the quiet but stirring tune/song that you hear when Aragorn lies wounded after a battle, and receives another vision/dream of Arwen that gives him a (let's all say it together now) "breath of life". Elvish lyrics, English translation at the end.
- Forth Eorlingas, my favorite one (at least to HEAR), the tune that shows the rousing of the remaining soldiers at Helm's Deep, their death plunge out the causeway, and Gandalf's near-biblical arrival to the rescue. The second-best in this book, in my opinion.
- Rohan, which was an absolutely necessary piece to include in this book. It's short, *almost* simple enough for a beginner like me to pick my way through, and beyond gorgeous. It begins with the noble theme for Éowyn, and peaks into the majestic score for the kingdom of Rohan. This one alone is worth getting the book for.
This book makes an excellent addition to your piano library, or an excellent gift for your musically-inclined hobbit-heads. Go for it.

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Featuring the music of Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore, this new Two Towers folio includes eight pages of magnificent full-color photosfrom the motion picture and P/V/C arrangements of the soaring soundtrack -- all printed on high-quality antique paperstock. The titles are: The Riders of Rohan * Evenstar * Breath of Life * Forth Eorlingas * Isengard Unleashed * Gollum's Song.

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Annie Get Your Gun (Vocal Selections) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book after seeing the show, and decided to use some songs in auditions. This book is very good because they give you most of the songs from the musical. Most of the songs are in there but not all of thereprises are there. The confusing part of the book is the fact that theydon't give the names of the characters singing the songs.Clear and easyto read music adds to the benefits of this book! Great for those justlearning to read music. Would be challenging for a beginning pianist.

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Twelve songs from this Irving Berlin favorite, which won the 1999 TonyAward for Best Musical Revival. Includes: Anything You Can Do * Doin' What Comes Natur'lly * The Girl That I Marry * I Got Lost in His Arms * I Got the Sun in the Morning * I'll Share It All with You * Moonshine Lullaby * My Defenses Are Down * An Old Fashioned Wedding * There's No Business Like Show Business * They Say It's Wonderful * You Can't Get a Man with a Gun.

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The Lord of the Rings for Easy Piano Review

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(More customer reviews)"Easy" is a hard word.I'm just coming back to the keyboard after 30+ years away and I can't say what level of player I was when I left (past Fur Elise; stalled on the Moonlight Sonata).Have been buying a host of popular music for "easy" piano and it varies.Some is so simplified I have it down on the third time through; others send me to the flash cards to learn what those off-staff notes are.LOTR is right in the middle of the range.

--A few songs from each of the three movies.In Dreams and Concerning Hobbits are the ones I'm learning first; will go back to the DVD and listen differently to decide which of the remaining songs I liked enough to want to learn.

--For the most part, no more than four notes in play at any one time, and a lot places where the music is one note, each hand. A smattering of 16th notes but mostly quarters, some eighths, and half notes.

--Easy key signatures; mostly C and the rest two sharps or two flats max.

--Lots and lots of 12-note arpeggios without a lot of fingering assistance in the left hand.

--Notes range two octaves above and below middle C.

In sum?There are enough notes on each page that the song sounds good, yet easy enough to recognize the tune on the first or second time through.Plan:master this book, then buy the individual movie scores one at a time as I get better and want a richer sound.

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The Lord of the Rings trilogy stands as THE definitive epic motion picture of recent times. Essential to the power and beauty of the three films was the evocative musical score by Academy Award[R]-winning composer Howard Shore. Now, twelve major themes from the blockbuster trilogy are available in easy piano arrangements by Dan Coates. Loaded with full-color photos from the many incredible scenes in the movies and printed on high quality antique paper stock, this new easy piano songbook is a must-have for any fan. Be sure to have plenty on hand for the Christmas gift-buying season! Titles from The Fellowship of the Ring: The Prophecy * In Dreams * Concerning Hobbits * Many Meetings * The Black Rider. Titles from The Two Towers: Gollum's Song * Rohan * Evenstar * Forth Eorlingas. Titles from The Return of the King: Into the West * The Steward of Gondor * Minas Tirith

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The Fellowship of the Ring Movie Soundtrack Piano, Vocal, and Chords (The Lord of the Rings) (Pvg) Review

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(More customer reviews)This collection of songs from the soundtrack of the movie 'The Fellowship of the Ring' is a definite gem. The songs, in order, are 'In Dreams' [words and music by Fran Walsh and Howard Shore], 'The Prophecy' [text by J.R.R. Tolkien], 'Aniron' [words by Roma Ryan, music by Enya and Nicky Ryan] 'A lament for Gandalf' [text by Philippa Boyens], 'Many Meetings' [music by Howard Shore], and 'May it Be' [words by Roma Ryan, Music by Enya and Nicky Ryan]. Inside, there are also lots of beautiful pictures from the movie. This is a beautiful accompaniment for the soundtrack. The music is for 'piano, vocal, or chords', but other instruments could play along. I would DEFINETELY rate this 10 stars, only the limit is 5. I recommend this music for anyone who loves music, Enya, or The Lord of the Rings.

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Six selections from the blockbuster The Lord of the Rings, plus fantastic color photos from the movie! Includes: The Prophecy * Many Meetings * Aniron (Theme for Aragorn and Arwen) * Lament for Gandalf * In Dreams * May It Be.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Piano/Vocal/Chords) Review

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(More customer reviews)It's books like this that made me wish I had the natural talent for music, or had at least studied and practiced hard enough to develop talent. The motion picture score that Howard Shore composed for The Lord of the Rings trilogy is absolutely brilliant, and while nothing can match his magnificent orchestra, there is something unique and incredible about hearing the same music played on a simple piano -- coming from your very own fingers. Or, with today's synthesizer technology, you can orchestrate your own versions!
The cover is the same as the Return of the King promotional photo. Inside, one can find fifty-four lovely pages' worth of selections from his score for Return of the King. Included in that tally are six pages of rich photos from the movie. Thankfully, it's just the heroes this time, there are no frightening pictures of orcs which, as in the case of the first and second books, caused the need to keep an eye on little youngsters who might be a little frightened by the ugly and gruesome orcs. Shoot, they still frighten me! ;-)
The songs include:
- Minas Tirith, the theme for Gandalf's ride to the City of Kings, and Pippin Took's first glimpse of the grandeur of the stronghold. Lyrics are included for the Elvish verses sung in the background, including the Retreat from Osgiliath, and The White Rider. This is one of the best songs, if you ask me, because it includes the gorgeous theme for Gondor.
- The Steward of Gondor, which includes the White Tree "theme" (not a really defined royal theme, unfortunately), and Billy Boyd's solo he sung to Denethor as Faramir rode out on his suicide mission.
- Twilight and Shadow, with is essentially a "poor Frodo" score, but also includes some music for Arwen.
- The End of All Things, the tumultuous but awing cacophony that you hear during the battle on the slopes of Mt. Doom and subsequently before the Black Gates as Frodo attempts to destroy the Ring, and Aragorn leads his troops in a last effort to distract Sauron. (As you can imagine, this, like the others, is not exactly a simple tune for beginners, but I was able to pick out some Lord of the Rings tunes, so middling players ought to be able to do okay) Lyrics are included for the many verses sung in the background of this as well.
- The Return of the King, which begins with Frodo's awakening and the reuniting of the Fellowship, and then Aragorn's coronation. At the end, sheet music fans FINALLY get the music for the Hobbiton theme, which is titled "A Toast in the Shire".
- Into the West, Annie Lennox's endearing song which pretty much sings about heaven, or at least Middle-Earth's version of it.
- Use Well The Days, a bonus because fans haven't yet heard how Howard Shore has arranged this one! It's pretty certain it will be crafted into the Return of the King: Extended Edition which releases around Christmas. From the lyrics, one would infer that it is sort of a benediction that Frodo gives to Sam, although I seriously doubt it is sung that way.
For your piano players, guitar-strummers, and singers, make 'em happy, give them some of the most awesome soundtrack ever to be played for the Lord of the Rings movies.

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Arranged For Piano/Vocal/Guitar With Lyrics. Contains 7 principal movie themes, including the Annie Lenox single;Into The West;. Also includes 10 pages of full-color photos from the many incredible scenes in the movie-all printed on classic antique paper stock. Plus, exclusive to this songbook is another song performed by Annie Lenox;Use Well The Days; which will debut in the upcoming DVD release of the movie. A must for all LOTR fans! Contents: Titles include; The Return of the King; The End of All Things; Use Well the Days; Twilight and Shadow; The Steward of Gondor; Minas Tirith; Into the West

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