A Little Night Music [Remaster]

One of Stephen Sondheim's better-known works, A Little Night Music is inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night. The story follows the intertwining of several imperfect relationships, leading to a satisfying resolution (as a romantic comedy should). Sondheim's score is sublimely evocative, invoking the mysticism of an early evening full of promise (perfectly described by a song from the second act, "Perpetual Anticipation"). Typically cerebral, the soundtrack is highlighted by the now-standard "Send in the Clowns," one of Sondheim's greatest contributions to the world of musical theater, at once bittersweet and enchanting. Also included on this CD recording is a bonus track of a misguided reworking of the song "The Glamorous Life" (not the Sheila E. hit from the 1980s) from the movie version of A Little Night Music, which is unfortunate because the original (available on this recording) is so charming. ~ Sarah Erlewine|