Lerner and Loewe

Lerner and Loewe

"Lerner and Loewe" are the American musical comedy writing team of lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe.

Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, more commonly known as Fritz, met in 1942 at an exclusive club where, according to Loewe, after mistakenly taking a wrong turn to the men's room he walked past Lerner's table. Having recognized him he asked if Lerner wrote lyrics and Lerner confirmed Loewe's question.

Lerner claimed to be the more dominant one of partnership, which is supported by interviews with their close friends, saying that he would throw out the first two melodies that Loewe would write to any song even if they were both perfect. He said he always knew, with a little pushing, Loewe was capable of greater work. Loewe also worked perfectly with Lerner, who would agonize for weeks over a lyric. Unlike other collaborators Lerner would work with, Loewe was the most understanding of the time Lerner needed for his lyrics and would never pressure him to complete the work.

Their dynamic partnership is somewhat of a mystery as it is not clear as to why they would end their collaboration only to begin again (until "The Little Prince", their last work together). After "Brigadoon", their first major success, Loewe was heard telling his close friends that, as long as he lived, he would never work with Lerner again. But they did work together again, reaching the pinnacle of their partnership with "My Fair Lady". Again, for unknown reasons, their partnership grew frazzled as they were knee deep in work with "Camelot". After "Camelot", Fritz Loewe retired and swore he would never write another note.

Their last collaboration came with the 1974 musical film, "The Little Prince", which received mixed reviews but was lauded as one of the teams most cerebral scores.

Regardless of their professional relationship, Lerner and Loewe were close friends and remained so until the end of their lives.

Theatre works

* "Life of the Party (musical)" 1942
* "What's Up?" 1943
* "The Day Before Spring 1945
* "Brigadoon" 1947
* "Paint Your Wagon" 1951
* "My Fair Lady" 1956
* "Camelot" 1960
* "Gigi" 1973 - stage version adapted from the film

Film adaptations

*"Brigadoon" 1954
*"Gigi" 1958
*"My Fair Lady" 1964
*"Camelot" 1967
*"Paint Your Wagon" 1969
*"The Little Prince" 1974


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