|
|
Ian (@sirsnapalot) |

"Memory" is a show tune composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Trevor Nunn based on a poem by T. S. Eliot. It was written for the 1981 musical Cats, where it is sung primarily by the character Grizabella as a melancholic remembrance of her glamorous past and as a plea for acceptance. "Memory" is the climax of the musical and by far its best-known song, having achieved mainstream success outside of the musical. According to musicologist Jessica Sternfeld, it is "by some estimations the most successful song ever from a musical."
Elaine Paige originated the role of Grizabella in the West End production of Cats, and was thus the first to perform the song publicly on stage. "Memory" was named the Best Song Musically and Lyrically at the 1982 Ivor Novello Awards.
In Cats, "Memory" is sung primarily by Grizabella, a one-time "glamour cat" who has fallen on hard times and is now only a shell of her former self. For most of the musical, Grizabella is ostracised by her fellow Jellicle cats. She sings a prelude version of "Memory" at the end of the first act, recalling the time before she became an outcast.
Melodic fragments of "Memory" are then sung twice in a higher D major key by Jemima (also known as Sillabub), a young cat who is sympathetic to Grizabella's plight. The first instance occurs at the beginning of the second act after "The Moments of Happiness", and the second instance occurs near the end of the second act right before Grizabella's final appearance. As Grizabella returns near the end of the musical, she sings the full version of the song as she pleads for acceptance, with Jemima joining in briefly to urge her on
|
Bev:
@sirsnapalot Hi Ian. You did a wonderful job on this. Enjoyed my listen very much. ♥♫
Apr 23rd 2020, 4:12 am Report
|
|
admin:
@sirsnapalot Love musicals and hearing you do them Ian. Wonderfully done. Loved my listen ♥
Apr 23rd 2020, 5:35 am Report
|
|
Ian:
@admin thank you so very much I do appreciate that you take the time time to listen and comment
Apr 23rd 2020, 6:00 am Report
|