Austin Symphonic Band. January 28, 2024 concert at the Connally HS Performing Arts Center in Austin, TX. ASB performing South Pacific (Symphonic Scenario) by Richard Rodgers (arr. Robert Russell Bennett, adapt. R. Mark Rogers). [NOTE: Click 'more' to read the program notes.] Music Director Dr. Kyle R. Glaser conducting. "Sea Songs" Concert.

Video and Sound Production: Eddie Jennings

From the program notes written by David Cross:
South Pacific (Symphonic Scenario) (1949)
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II (1895–1960)
Music by Richard Rodgers (1902–1979)
Arranged for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett
Adapted for Concert Band by R. Mark Rogers

South Pacific burst onto Broadway on April 7, 1949, and ran for 1,925 performances, closing on January 16, 1954. Based on James Michener’s book Tales of the South Pacific, it was immediately hailed by critics and the box office. The show openly addresses prejudice and racism, notably in the song “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught,” which includes the following lyrics:
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff’rent shade—
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate—
You’ve got to be carefully taught!

The production won ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Libretto, and it is the only musical production to win Tony Awards in all four acting categories. Its original cast album, featuring the voices of Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, was the bestselling record of the 1940s. South Pacific became a huge cultural and social phenomenon. Virtually every American adult had some palpable connection to World War II, which meant that they also had a natural connection to the show. In recognition of this timely contribution, South Pacific won the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

We should not overlook the huge contribution of Robert Russell Bennett in the success of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. Richard Rodgers would often entrust Bennett with a brief outline of a song, leaving the harmonization and orchestration to the lightning quick and prolific arranger.

Listen for:
• An intriguing introduction featuring the interval of a major seventh.
• The following songs from the show:
“Dites-Moi (Tell Me Why)”
“A Cockeyed Optimist”
“Some Enchanted Evening”
“Bloody Mary”
“There is Nothin’ Like a Dame”
“Bali Ha'i”
“A Wonderful Guy”
“Younger Than Springtime”
“This Nearly Was Mine”

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