RICHARD RODGERS--MASTER OF THE WALTZ IDIOM

Richard Rodgers-Master of the Waltz Idiom:  Richard Rodgers is readily acknowledged as a superb writer of ballads with sublime melodies whether writing with Lorenz Hart, Oscar Hammerstein or Stephan Sondheim. He even wrote his own lyrics for "  No Strings ", a 1960's musical.
However, an even more distinctive accomplishment is Rodgers mastery of the waltz musical form. The Carousel Waltz, which has no lyrics, is as marvelous, dramatic  waltz underscoring the carnival setting of that musical. Other Rodgers waltzes have been described as the equal of any waltzes  written in the 20th century according to David Raksin, the composer of" Laura " and a noted musicologist and University lecturer. If one looks at the entire list of the songs in The Great American Songbook, there are not a great many waltzes compared with ballads, blues, up-tempo, rhythm numbers.
After all, the waltz is essentially a European creation. I am venturing a theory, based on no particular valid scholarship, that coming from a Germanic background, he might have unconsciously been influenced by earlier classical waltz pieces. The ones you will be hearing have all the sweep and grandeur that we typically associate with Strauss, Ravel  Tchaikovsky , Mahler and even Prokofiev 's Romeo and Juliet ballet score.
The Waltz medley is in two parts with " Do I hear a Waltz" written with Stephan Sondheim  and the rest all written with Oscar Hammerstein for Carousel, South Pacific, State Fair, Oklahoma and the The King and I.
These songs have been arranged for full orchestra, featuring Julie Andrews and conducted by Andre Previn.
I must confess a personal bias. Both my parents were Austrian immigrants and I was immersed in the Viennese waltz traditions at a very early age. There is such a dramatic lift and inner pulse that propels any Waltz melody that I cannot resist. So my love affair with that entire musical and cultural tradition has naturally gravitated to the seminal three-quarter time creations of Richard Rodgers. I hope you share my appreciation of this distinctive musical art form.
NOTE: Future posts will highlight an equal number of superb waltz numbers written earlier with Lorenz Hart.

LINK: PART 1: http://youtu.be/urhJzgrOLAg

LINK: PART 2: http://youtu.be/ix4VLxoRdGI