One of the most important American composers, Stephen Sondheim, died yesterday aged 91 at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. The cause of death is unknown but he is not known to have been sick and celebrated ThanksGiving the day before.
His most famous musicals include West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday In The Park With George (1984) and Into The Woods (1987).
Here is a memory of one of my favourite songs, Send In The Clowns from A Little Night Music, performed by Judi Dench at the BBC Proms in 2010.
On Monday 29 November 2021, 7pm, the lights in the West End will be dimmed in memory of Stephen Sondheim.
Photo: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times
