Originally Posted By: jford
I was just listening to a great podcast interview with Todd Purdum on National Public Radio's Fresh Air program about his new book on Rodgers and Hammerstein and the influence of the musical Oklahoma on Broadway.

When Richard Rodgers wrote with Lorenz Hart, Rodgers would write the music first and Hart would then supply the lyrics. When that relationship ended (both because of Hart's alcoholism and ultimate death) and Rodgers began collaborating with Oscar Hammerstein, and they switched. Hammerstein would write the lyrics and then send them to Rodgers to write the music. Now, of course, Rodgers had been studying the play and had ideas already in his head before he got the lyrics, but he made the comment that he went deeper into the music by having the lyrics to guide him.

Given that Rodgers and Hart's collaboration was very successful, as was Rodgers and Hammerstein, it's clear that it can work both ways.

Thanks for sharing that link! I am definitely going to have to remember that and give it a listen later at home. It sounds really fascinating and perfect for the topic!

Last edited by Ember - PG Music; 04/11/18 06:52 AM.
Cheers,
Ember