No matter, it was worth the journey so long as I could use my 40% coupon. I usually don't buy coffee table books but I had to have Finishing the Hat...Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes by Stephen Sondheim and so far, having read about 25 pages, I have not been disappointed.
What has struck me the most is his preface in which he says something that applies, I believe, to all writing:
"There are only three principles necessary for a lyric writer, all of them familiar truisms....they underlie everything I've ever written. In no particular order, and to be written in stone:
Content Dictates Form
Less Is More
God is in the Details
all in the service of
Clarity
without which nothing else matters."
Thank you Mr. Sondheim. I'm going to enjoy reading this and savoring your lyrics and listening to your music in my head.
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