Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

George Forrest and Robert Wright were a prolific duo of American composers who made significant contributions to the world of musical theater. They are best known for their collaborations on the scores of several Broadway shows, including Kismet, Song of Norway, and Grand Hotel. Their music was characterized by lush melodies, intricate harmonies, and a deep appreciation for classical music. George Forrest was born on July 31, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York. He showed an early aptitude for music and began studying piano at the age of six. He later studied composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. After graduating, he worked as a pianist and arranger for various radio programs and theater productions. Robert Wright was born on September 25, 1914, in Daytona Beach, Florida. He also showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He later studied music at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and then at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. After graduating, he worked as a pianist and arranger for various radio programs and theater productions. The two composers first met in 1935 when they were both working as arrangers for the NBC radio network. They quickly discovered a shared love of classical music and began collaborating on their own compositions. Their first major success came in 1943 with the Broadway musical Song of Norway, which was based on the life of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. The show was a critical and commercial success, running for over 860 performances and earning the duo their first Tony Award nomination. Forrest and Wright's next major success came in 1953 with the Broadway musical Kismet, which was based on the music of Russian composer Alexander Borodin. The show was a huge hit, running for over 500 performances and earning the duo their first Tony Award for Best Musical. The score included such memorable songs as "Stranger in Paradise" and "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads," which became popular standards. In 1958, Forrest and Wright collaborated with composer Maury Yeston on the musical Grand Hotel, which was based on the novel by Vicki Baum. The show was a critical success, earning the trio a Tony Award for Best Musical. The score included such memorable songs as "Love Can't Happen" and "We'll Take a Glass Together." Forrest and Wright continued to collaborate on various musicals throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including Kean, Anya, and Timbuktu!. They also wrote the score for the 1960 film version of Song of Norway, which starred Florence Henderson and Toralv Maurstad. In addition to their work in musical theater, Forrest and Wright also wrote several popular songs, including "The Donkey Serenade," "Always and Always," and "The Loveliest Night of the Year." They also wrote the English lyrics for several foreign-language songs, including "Torna a Surriento" and "Non Dimenticar." Forrest and Wright's music was characterized by a deep appreciation for classical music, which they often incorporated into their scores. They were known for their lush melodies, intricate harmonies, and sophisticated orchestrations. Their music was also notable for its ability to capture the essence of different cultures and time periods, from the Russian steppes to the Arabian desert. Despite their success, Forrest and Wright remained humble and dedicated to their craft. They continued to work together until Forrest's death in 1999 at the age of 84.

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