Sunrise, Sunset

Last updated

"Sunrise, Sunset" is a song from the musical Fiddler on the Roof written in 1964 by composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick.

Contents

Production

Lyricist Sheldon Harnick said: [1]

I do remember when we wrote "Sunrise Sunset," the first person we played it for was Jerry Bock's wife...and when I finished, then I looked at Jerry's wife Patti and I was startled to see that she was crying. And I thought my goodness; this song must be more effective than we even know. And the same thing happened – I am not a pianist but the music to "Sunrise Sunset" is easy enough so that I could learn the piano part – and I played it for my sister. And when I finished I looked and she had tears in her eyes. And that was a very unusual experience.

The album Sheldon Harnick: Hidden Treasures (1949-2013) [2] features the demo recording of "Sunrise, Sunset" featuring Harnick, accompanied by composer Jerry Bock. Harnick said "This CD set is supposed to be the unknown songs, and the two men who created it, Bill Rudman (ph) and Ken Bloom (ph), when they said they wanted to use "Sunrise, Sunset," I said but that's a very familiar song. They said not with you singing it." [1]

Synopsis

This song is performed at the wedding of Tzeitel, Tevye and Golde's eldest daughter. The two parents sing about how they can't believe their daughter and her groom have grown up, while Hodel and Perchik sing about whether there may be a wedding in the nearby future for them.

Critical reception

The Irish Times said the song has a "hypnotic chorus". [3] AllMusic deemed it one of the film's "famous and now-standard songs". [4] Splash Magazine named it one of the musical's "big Broadway numbers". [5] The Style Weekly critic said the song, along with Tradition, had "infectious strains". [6] The Des Moines Register noted that the musical "melts into bittersweetness" at this song. [7] The Northampton Chronicle critic opined that it was "poignant". [8] Virtual Shropshire's critic wrote that the song "wrings the heart ... as Tevye's daughters approach marrying age." [9] Register Citizen described the song as a "heartbreaking parental cry to slow down the years, to keep their children young: 'Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?'" [10] AZ Central noted the song was "haunting and emotional". [11] Blue Coupe wrote "Musically, the scene's centerpiece is the classic 'Sunrise, Sunset'". [12]

Recordings

John Stamos, Dave Coulier - “Full House” (1987) Juan Pablo Di Pace - “Fuller House” (2018)

As a wedding song

"Sunrise, Sunset" is often played at weddings. In 2011 Sheldon Harnick wrote two versions of the song, suitable for same-sex weddings, with minor word changes. For example, for male couples, changes include "When did they grow to be so handsome". [30]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaim Topol</span> Israeli actor, singer, and illustrator (1935–2023)

Chaim Topol, mononymously known as Topol, was an Israeli actor, singer, and illustrator. He is best known for his portrayal of Tevye, the lead role in the stage musical Fiddler on the Roof and the 1971 film adaptation, performing this role more than 3,500 times from 1967 through 2009.

<i>Fiddler on the Roof</i> 1964 musical

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia in or around 1905. It is based on Tevye and his Daughters and other tales by Sholem Aleichem. The story centers on Tevye, a milkman in the village of Anatevka, who attempts to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions as outside influences encroach upon his family's lives. He must cope with the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters who wish to marry for love; their choices of husbands are successively less palatable for Tevye. An edict of the tsar eventually evicts the Jews from their village.

<i>The Rothschilds</i> (musical)

The Rothschilds is a musical with a book by Sherman Yellen, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and music by Jerry Bock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Bock</span> American musical theatre composer (1928–2010)

Jerrold Lewis Bock was an American musical theater composer. He received the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama with Sheldon Harnick for their 1959 musical Fiorello! and the Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist for the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof with Sheldon Harnick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon Harnick</span> American lyricist and songwriter (1924–2023)

Sheldon Mayer Harnick was an American lyricist and songwriter best known for his collaborations with composer Jerry Bock on musicals such as Fiorello!, She Loves Me, and Fiddler on the Roof.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show tune</span> Genre of music

A show tune is a song originally written as part of the score of a work of musical theatre or musical film, especially if the piece in question has become a standard, more or less detached in most people's minds from the original context.

"If I Were a Rich Man" is a show tune from the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. It was written by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. The song is performed by Tevye, the main character in the musical, and reflects his aspirational dreams.

<i>Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit</i>

Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit is the ninth incarnation of Gerard Alessandrini's musical revue. The revue ran Off-Broadway from 2004 to 2007.

<i>Look to Your Heart</i> (Perry Como album) 1968 studio album by Perry Como

Look to Your Heart is Perry Como's 16th RCA Victor 12" long-play album.

<i>Fiddler on the Roof</i> (film) 1971 film by Norman Jewison

Fiddler on the Roof is a 1971 American period musical film produced and directed by Norman Jewison from a screenplay written by Joseph Stein, based on the 1964 stage musical of the same name by Stein, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick. Set in early 20th-century Imperial Russia, the film centers on Tevye, played by Topol, a poor Jewish milkman who is faced with the challenge of marrying off his five daughters amidst the growing tension in his shtetl. The cast also features Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann, Rosalind Harris, Michèle Marsh, Neva Small and Paul Michael Glaser. The musical score, composed by Bock with lyrics by Harnick, was adapted and conducted by John Williams.

<i>Sammys Back on Broadway</i> 1965 studio album by Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy's Back on Broadway is a 1965 studio album by Sammy Davis Jr.

<i>Delightfulee</i> 1967 studio album by Lee Morgan

Delightfulee is an album by jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan released on the Blue Note label in 1967. It was recorded on April 8 & May 27, 1966 and features performances by Morgan with a quintet featuring Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Bob Cranshaw and Billy Higgins and a big band featuring Ernie Royal, Tom McIntosh, Jim Buffington, Don Butterfield, Phil Woods, Wayne Shorter, Danny Bank and Philly Joe Jones with arrangements by Oliver Nelson.

<i>Cannonball Adderleys Fiddler on the Roof</i> 1964 studio album by Cannonball Adderley

Cannonball Adderley's Fiddler on the Roof is an album by jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley released on the Capitol label featuring performances of material from the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof by Adderley with Nat Adderley, Charles Lloyd, Joe Zawinul, Sam Jones and Louis Hayes.

<i>The Voice That Is!</i> 1964 studio album by Johnny Hartman

The Voice That Is! is an album by American jazz vocalist Johnny Hartman featuring performances recorded in 1964 for the Impulse! label.

"Do You Love Me?" is a song from the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. It is performed by Tevye and his wife Golde.

"Matchmaker, Matchmaker" is a song from the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. It was later made into a film in 1971. The story revolves around a poor Jewish milkman, Tevye, and his five daughters, as he attempts to maintain his Jewish traditions. His three eldest daughters marry, but each daughter's choice of husband moves further and further away from their traditions.

<i>Our Mann Flute</i> 1966 studio album by Herbie Mann

Our Mann Flute is an album by American jazz flautist Herbie Mann released on the Atlantic label in 1966. The album features tracks from sessions that produced the albums The Common Ground (1960), My Kinda Groove (1964) along with more recent recordings.

<i>From Broadway with Love</i> 1966 studio album by Nancy Wilson

From Broadway with Love is a 1966 studio album by singer Nancy Wilson arranged by Sid Feller and produced by Dave Cavanaugh.

<i>Broadway Express</i> (album) 1966 studio album by J. J. Johnson

Broadway Express is an album by jazz trombonist and arranger J.J. Johnson and Orchestra featuring jazz version of Broadway musical songs conducted and arranged by Mundell Lowe and recorded in late 1965 for the RCA Victor label.

<i>Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles</i> 2019 documentary film

Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles is a 2019 American documentary film about the creation and significance of the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. Directed by Max Lewkowicz, it features interviews with Fiddler creators such as Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Joseph Stein, and Harold Prince, as well as scholars, actors, and other musical theatre figures such as Stephen Sondheim and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The documentary includes rarely-seen footage of the original Broadway cast as well as interviews with creators, actors, theatrical figures, and scholars.

References

  1. 1 2 "At 90, 'Fiddler' Lyricist Tells His Story | WBUR & NPR". wbur.org. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  2. ↑ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Review: Fiddler on the Roof". The Irish Times . Retrieved 12 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Fiddler on the Roof [Original Broadway Cast Recording] – Original Broadway Cast | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  5. ↑ "Fiddler on the Roof Reviews". theatreinchicago.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  6. ↑ "Theater Review: "Fiddler on the Roof"". styleweekly.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  7. ↑ "Theater review: 'Fiddler on the Roof' at the Playhouse". blogs.desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  8. ↑ "REVIEW: Fiddler On The Roof plays a delightful tune – Northampton Chronicle and Echo". northamptonchron.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  9. ↑ "Theatre Review : Fiddler on the Roof at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre". virtual-shropshire.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  10. ↑ "Review: Warner's "Fiddler on the Roof" a timeless stage tradition". registercitizen.com. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  11. ↑ "Review: 'Fiddler' enthralls once again in Desert Stages' production". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  12. ↑ "Review | Fiddler on the Roof". bluecoupe.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  13. ↑ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1965. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  15. ↑ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. 1966. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  16. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 916.
  17. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 259.
  18. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. May 1967. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1966. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1965. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  21. ↑ Lee Morgan - Delightfulee, 1967, retrieved 2023-03-22
  22. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1969. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. 1967. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  24. ↑ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. September 1970. Retrieved May 15, 2017.*
  26. ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Juan Pablo Di Pace -Sunrise Sunset (Fuller House)- YouTube". YouTube.com. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  28. ↑ "allmusic.com". AllMusic . Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  29. ↑ João, Victor. YouTube Music, September 7, 2023, accessed June 25 2023
  30. ↑ "'Sunrise, Sunset' gets gay lyric - Dallas Voice". 2018-08-18. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.