What do you guys think about William Finn?
What do you guys think about William Finn?
JRBfan
Swing Joined: 7/18/04
#0What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 12:42amI love his music (ie. the Falsettos series, A New Brain, Infinite Joy, Elegies...)? Just wondering if anyone enjoys it as much as I do.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#1re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 12:51amI just wanted to crawl out of my own skin while watching the Broadway production of Falsettos. Hated. It.
Twitter @NamoInExile
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Mattio98
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
#2re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 12:56amLove his music. Especially A New Brain.
#3re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 2:48amI <3 William Finn's work. "Elegies" is my least favorite because it's an evening "dead"icated to death (and it's a song cycle) but it has some great songs (including "I Am There" which was cut from "A New Brain"). "Trousers" is crazy-cool because of its non-linear structure. It's a great set-up for "Falsettos" regarding Marvin and how he deals (or doesn't deal) with women. "A New Brain" is lovely and fun, but I lean toward enjoying its first half more than the second. Over all: GO FINN! (yea, I'm a dork)
Variations on a Theme blog: http://panekattack.blogspot.com/
#4re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 3:03am
elegies is my favourite... *because* it's entirely "dead"icated to death.
new brain in second.
Mattio98
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
#5re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 3:11amInfinite Joy is a great Finn compilation.
Broadway Matt
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/17/03
#6re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 4:04am
William Finn is my #1 favorite musical theatre composer and lyricist of all time. I fell in love with March of the Falsettos years ago and have been hooked ever since. He's an acquired taste and not for everyone, but personally his work fascinates me like none other and always leaves me thinking.
His music has a way of being incredibly complex and very basic at the same time. He composes some of the strangest and most unique vocal and instrumental music, yet he manages to create memorable "hummable" melodies worthy of a pop score.
What really sets him apart from other talented double-threats (Sondheim, JRB, Schwartz on occasion) is the way he fuses his lyrics with the music. The language itself is the most literate you're likely to find in a Broadway libretto. He uses words, terms, phrases, and sentence structures I didn't think could be smoothly set to music. And the content itself can be hilarious, heartbreaking, vividly descriptive, or just effective storytelling depending on what's called for, and it is ALWAYS consistent with the character singing them. Sondheim is a great lyricist. William Finn at his best is a present-day bard.
Agreed he's written some not-so-great music (a good amount of New Brain) and not all of his lyrics are masterpieces, but I almost get the feeling that a lot of his bad lyrics are left that way on purpose, maybe to fit a character or set a tone.
My only complaint is that he isn't more prolific. I can't wait to see his new one! Anyone seen "Spelling Bee..." yet?
"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
bogey_LIVE
Featured Actor Joined: 8/11/04
#7re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 5:55amWilly Finn was born in Australia in 1904, he was teh twin brother of Huck Finn. Finny is aight. I prefer Lord Webber over him *gasp* I know, I am an anarchist! But Finny is fun. I love 'Holding to the Ground'. Good piece of muzak.
kidmanboy
Leading Actor Joined: 5/10/04
#8re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 10:17amI did see Spelling Bee, hence the icon. I thought it was absolutely hilarious and he wrote some amazing songs for the show. Ones that stick out are the "I Love you Song" a really bittersweet song between a young girl and her parents, "Pandemonium" an insane group number that may be one of Finn's catchiest songs (I still have it in my head 3 weeks later), and "I Speak Six Languages" sung by an over-acheiving asian girl who dances, sings the chorus in all six languages, and accompanies herself. I REALLY hope this show has a future, and judging by the audience reaction and the critical response, which is the most positive i've seen for a new musical in quite some time, I think it will.
#9re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 10:28am<3 A NEW BRAIN. very good show and fun to work on.
"You can't stop someone who wants to be an artist. If they're going to do it, they're going to do it... Work as hard as you can on the things you can work on. Until it seems like there is no possible chance you're going to succeed, don't give up." ~ANDREW ASNES
avatar: me and jason gillman... in the pouring rain.
#10re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 11:10amyay william finn!!! i love him
"Contentment it seems merely happens, It appears Accompanied by no bravos and no tears"
"The world is good you said Enjoy it's highs you said The summer flies you said So make a parade Of every moment Now throw away your hate And focus on what's great instead" ~William Finn
#11re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 2:06pm
I was just on here looking at the message board while my boyfriend sleeps, but I could NOT help but login so I could reply. I am so happy that other people love Finn as much as I do. He writes some of the best, most touching songs I have ever heard. The "Goodbye/Boom Boom" song makes me cry EVERYY time I hear it.
Infinite Joy is also a beautiful recording. I just love his music. Norm Lewis singing "Anytime" makes me just melt.
I also have A New Brain, March of the Falsettos, and Falsettoland. I actually had a long conversation once with Anthony Rapp and he told me to listen to the Falsetto recordings and I can't thank him enough for his recommendation. I think the world is blessed to hear his music and I am dying for more.
Come on Bill, write another one for us to enjoy!
Nick
A ripple on the edge can be a tidal wave; no matter what the size.
Anything can be, depending how you see when you're looking at the world with brand new eyes.
---Prodigal
Understudy Joined: 12/31/69
#12re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 3:07pm
Think about Finn?
I try not to whenever possible.
Updated On: 8/15/04 at 03:07 PM
bronxboundexpress
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/15/04
#14re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 8:24pmReally talented guy who picks odd subjects that don't sing well. Loved MOTF, hated FALSETTOS. Hated ANB...weird show.
#15re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/15/04 at 8:50pmI'd do him.
BSoBW2: I punched Sondheim in the face after I saw Wicked and said, "Why couldn't you write like that!?"
#16re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 8/16/04 at 1:43pmhey, while we are on the topic, does anyone know where i can get the Elegies score? i cant find it on amazon.
"Contentment it seems merely happens, It appears Accompanied by no bravos and no tears"
"The world is good you said Enjoy it's highs you said The summer flies you said So make a parade Of every moment Now throw away your hate And focus on what's great instead" ~William Finn
#17re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 11:49am
I'm a new convert to the world of Finn, but I just adore him! I picked up a New Brain and Elegies and fell in love. I'm in the process of getting everything else as well. Infinate Joy I just ordered and can't wait to get it.
But Finn is quickly becoming one of my favorite composers, next to Sondheim, and I really wish he would go ahead and write more musicals, I would love to get to see one of his shows performed.
Yeah, well mark me down as another fan of William Finn's.
You're always sorry,
You're always grateful,
You hold her, thinking:
"I'm not alone."
You're still alone.
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
twogaab2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#18re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 12:07pm
I find his music ENORMOUSLY rewarding. Elegies was wonderful.
Just my opinion, I may be wrong.
TWOGAAB
"A Class Act" will never die!
#19re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 12:10pm
you're never wrong if it's your opinion and especially an opinion I agre on whole heartedly.
I just got Elegies and it hasn't left my CD player and probably won't until I get Infinate Joy. His music has the ability to make you laugh and cry and feel and I just wish I could see one of his shows staged.
You're always sorry,
You're always grateful,
You hold her, thinking:
"I'm not alone."
You're still alone.
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
#20re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 12:29pm
My parents and I loved the Broadway production of Falsettos. It's definitely in my top five favorite shows. I also love A New Brain. I liked the CD immediately upon the first hearing, but when I did the show, I appreciated it so much more.
The Elegies CD just didn't stick with me, but I like Infinite Joy and In Trousers. I do think he is incredibly talented with a gift for both memorable melodies and intelligent lyrics. What I like most about Falsettos and A New Brain is the fact that they are unconventional and thought provoking, yet still filled with instantly memorable and moving songs.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
leomaxfrank
Broadway Star Joined: 3/19/04
#21re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 2:38pmI find it interesting/surprising that Bill Finn is talked about once a month here. His music/lyrics should garner much more attention. I'm very excited to see "..Spelling Bee.."
But I won't live alone in a house of regret.
#22re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 3:34pm
This is an interesting one...
I HATED Falsettos when I saw it on B'way (but I think I was too young to get it all.) I found it annoying, whiney, and corny.
Then recently a casting agent asked me to bring in "What More Can I Say." After initially thinking "Ugh no!" I really went to work on it. I discovered so many beautiful and poignant moments in the song that I've begun to reshift my thinking towards Mr. Finn.
I also have been listening to A New Brain lately, though I must admit that's more due to a certain sunny blonde lady who was in it.
http://preppylife.tumblr.com/
#23re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 4:10pm
"I find it interesting/surprising that Bill Finn is talked about once a month here. His music/lyrics should garner much more attention. I'm very excited to see "..Spelling Bee.." "
He should be talked about more...I'm just getting into his stuff so I went searching for some threads and came across this one thought it was time for a bump eh? We should keep William Finn threads alive, he's a brilliant composer/lyricist.
I haven't heard much about "Spelling Bee" where's it gonna be? What's it about (besides the obvious which is in it's name)?
You're always sorry,
You're always grateful,
You hold her, thinking:
"I'm not alone."
You're still alone.
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
-"Sorry-Grateful" Company
Contributor
Stand-by Joined: 7/14/03
#24re: What do you guys think about William Finn?
Posted: 9/16/04 at 5:12pm
Finn's latest show, "Spelling Bee," was reviewed by BWW during its run in the Berkshires this summer:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=1067
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