Talent | Sondheim's Friends: The Broadway Musical Giants

Sondheim's list of 'Songs I Wish I’d Written (At Least In Part)' sparks memories and insights from Broadway's finest musical talents.

Hosts Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones sit down with a powerhouse line-up of Broadway giants to explore the private, generous, and highly sentimental side of Stephen Sondheim.

Sondheim's esteemed friends and colleagues John Kander, Richard Maltby Jr, David Shire, Jonathan Tunick and Maury Yeston offer an unprecedented and unique view of Sondheim's musicianship, artistry and love of his friends' work.

From glittering 1960s parties to intimate evenings drinking wine and listening to records in Sondheim's study, we learn, including through unpublished Sondheim emails, the respect and support this legendary composer-lyricist offered his peers.

Hear how a young Jonathan Tunick was hired to orchestrate Company over 10 scotches, the true origins of the song "Being Alive," and how Steve's list of 'Songs I Wish I'd Written (At Least In Part)' served as his ultimate love letter to his peers.

"Everybody thinks that Steve is actually as complicated as his music is ... He was a bubi! He was the sweetest man in the world." – Maury Yeston

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Introduction: John Kander on Sondheim's Compassion and Generosity

05:16 - "Songs I Wish I'd Written": Exploring Sondheim’s Famous List

08:29 - Falling in Love Over Music: Peter E Jones and Stephen Sondheim

10:50 - The Prince Parties and Early Broadway Struggles: Maltby & Shire

17:35 - Sondheim's Secret Sentimentality