Sunrise, Sunset

"Sunrise, Sunset" is a song from the musical Fiddler on the Roof.
"Sunrise, Sunset"
From "Fiddler on the Roof." Written in 1964 with music by Jerry Bock and text by Sheldon Harnick. Performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in 2007.
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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) 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 Tevye and Golde's eldest daughter. The two parents sing about how they can't believe their daughter has grown up, while Hodel and Perchik sing about whether there may be a wedding in the nearby future for them.

Critical reception

Irish Times said the song has a "hypnotic chorus".[2] AllMusic deemed it one of the film's "famous and now-standard songs".[3] Splash Magazine named it one of the musical's "big Broadway numbers".[4] Style Weekly said the song, along with Tradition, had "infectious strains".[5] Des Moines Register says the musical "melts into bittersweetness" at this song.[6] Northampton Chronicle says it is "poignant".[7] Virtual Shropshire writes the song "wrings the heart...as Tevye’s daughters approach marrying age."[8] Register Citizen describes 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?”".[9] AZ Central noted the song was "haunting and emotional".[10] Blue Coupe wrote "Musically, the scene's centerpiece is the classic "Sunrise, Sunset,"".[11]

Recordings

Harry James released a version in 1967 on his album Our Leader! (Dot DLP 3801 and DLP 25801).

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".[12]

References

  1. 1 2 "At 90, 'Fiddler' Lyricist Tells His Story | WBUR & NPR". wbur.org. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  2. ↑ "Review: Fiddler on the Roof". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  3. ↑ "Fiddler on the Roof [Original Broadway Cast Recording] - Original Broadway Cast | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  4. ↑ "Fiddler on the Roof Reviews - Theatre In Chicago - Play Reviews". theatreinchicago.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  5. ↑ "Theater Review: "Fiddler on the Roof" | Theater | Style Weekly - Richmond, VA local news, arts, and events.". styleweekly.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  6. ↑ "Theater review: ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Playhouse". blogs.desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  7. ↑ "REVIEW: Fiddler On The Roof plays a delightful tune - Northampton Chronicle and Echo". northamptonchron.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  8. ↑ "Theatre Review : Fiddler on the Roof at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre | Shropshire Events and Whats On Guide by Virtual Shropshire". virtual-shropshire.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  9. ↑ "Review: Warner’s “Fiddler on the Roof” a timeless stage tradition". registercitizen.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  10. ↑ "Review: ‘Fiddler’ enthralls once again in Desert Stages’ production". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  11. ↑ "Review | Fiddler on the Roof". bluecoupe.com. Retrieved 2014-07-12.
  12. ↑ Jones, Arnold Wayne. "'Sunrise, Sunset' gets gay lyric", Dallas Voice, October 6, 2011, accessed August 5, 2013
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