Review (PDF) The Authentic Gilbert & Sullivan Songbook (Dover Vocal Scores)
The songs of Gilbert & Sullivan, as with many near-legendary works adopted by an enthusiastic, uncritical public, have not always survived in the most reliable form. A word gets lost or blurred, a strophe is dropped, and the song evolves along uncontrollable lines. Fortunately many of the early vocal scores authorized by Sir Arthur Sullivan still exist — and are reprinted here, in the most complete and authentic anthology of Gilbert & Sullivan currently available.Ninety-two songs from all fourteen operettas are reproduced in the form Sullivan approved. Each number in this collection — solo, chorus, patter song, ballad, etc. — is presented uncut, unedited, in the original key, in Sullivan's original piano arrangements. The memorable ditties from the pair's 25-year collaboration (1871–96) appear, along with many not so well known, including a piece from their first joint effort, Thespis (1871), the entire score of which has been lost except for two numbers.Contents include:Thespis "Little Maid of Arcadee"Trial by Jury "O gentlemen, listen I pray"The Sorcerer "Welcome joy! Adieu to sadness!"HMS Pinafore "When I was a lad; He is an Englishman!"The Pirates of Penzance "Poor wand'ring one; With cat-like tread"Patience "Prithee, pretty maidens; Sad is that woman's lot"Iolanthe "Oh foolish fay; What I went to the Bar"Princess Ida "Expressive glances"The Mikado "A wand'ring minstrel I; Three little maids"Ruddigore "I once was a very abandoned person"The Yeomen of the Guard "Oh! A private buffoon"The Gondoliers "I stole the Prince"Utopia, Limited "Society has quite forsaken all her wicked courses"The Grand Duke "So ends my dream"Malcolm Binney and Peter Lavender collected these rare, complete vocal scores suitable for amateur and professional performance or reading; James Spero has added complete title and premiere information and a plot synopsis for each operetta. Gilbert & Sullivan lovers and all who delight in an irresistible lyric will find the authentic best in English light opera between these sturdy covers.
Series: Dover Vocal Scores
Paperback: 410 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications (March 26, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486234827
ISBN-13: 978-0486234823
Product Dimensions: 9 x 1 x 11.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,733,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #52 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Sullivan #53 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Gilbert #251 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Modern Popular
When I ordered this book, I did not realize that it contained facsimiles of earlier texts (or an earlier text). My real and only objection is that the print and the notes are fairly small and a trifle unclear. It would be difficult to put in on a piano and try to read it.Loved the illustrations and the feel of the book.
Those who love Gilbert and Sullivan are probably tired of receiving the same recordings from different casts. This is a delightful alternative--the text is not long or boring or pedantic and the few illustrations are appealing. The arrangements are not for beginners and some are more difficult than others. Even if you--or the recipient--is a one-finger pianist, it's fun to have it on your piano and hum along with your favorite selections.
Written in so many sharps and flats that it would be a hugh challenge to perform.
The Authentic Gilbert & Sullivan Songbook (Dover Vocal Scores) The Pirates of Penzance Vocal Score (Dover Vocal Scores) by Gilbert, W. S., Sullivan, Sir Arthur, Opera and Choral Score published by Dover Publications (2001) The Savoy Operas: The Complete Gilbert and Sullivan: The Complete Gilbert and Sullivan (Penguin Classics) Gilbert & Sullivan for Singers: The Vocal Library Baritone/Bass Bk with online audio GILBERT & SULLIVAN FOR SINGERS MEZZO-SOPRANO BK/CD THE VOCAL LIBRARY Gilbert & Sullivan for Singers Tenor Bk/online audio - The Vocal Library Gilbert & Sullivan: 15 Classic Songs for Keyboard (The Easy Keyboard Library) Gilbert and Sullivan: Gender, Genre, Parody (Gender and Culture Series) The Songs of Gilbert & Sullivan for Ukulele A Most Ingenious Paradox: The Art of Gilbert and Sullivan Gilbert & Sullivan (World's Greatest Classical Music) The Japan of Pure Invention: Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado Oh Joy! Oh Rapture!: The Enduring Phenomenon of Gilbert and Sullivan The Complete Gilbert & Sullivan: Librettos from All Fourteen Operettas (Complete & Unabridged) The Complete Annotated Gilbert & Sullivan: 20th Anniversary Edition The Cambridge Companion to Gilbert and Sullivan (Cambridge Companions to Music) Audition Songs for Male and Female Singers: Gilbert and Sullivan (Book & CD) (Audition songs for male & female singers) The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan Gilbert American Flyer S Gauge Operating & Repair Guide: Volume 2 (Gilbert American Flyer S Gauge Operating and Repair Guide) Gilbert Law Summary on Property (Gilbert Law Summaries)
