Composer John Kander, 96, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award tonight. No wonder, he has written the music for 16 of his Broadway musicals, from his 1962 Family Affair to his April opening New York, New York. (Up to 9 Tony.)
His catalog contains over 2,000 songs, almost all with lyrics by Fred Ebb, who died in 2004. The most famous is arguably the song Ebb called “Screamer”. It’s an exuberant, belting survival anthem like “Maybe This Time.” All That Jazz” and the universal title track of the new show (and the movie it’s based on). They’re a staple of Kander’s playlist, along with some of his more character-driven comedy tunes, and some that are pretty racy. But he also wrote a number of quieter, more personal songs that complete the portrait of this extraordinary musician.
Here are 10 essential songs from Kander’s catalog.
“A Quiet Thing” from “Flora, Red Menace” (1965)
Introduced by 19-year-old Liza Minnelli, the song is like Kander’s mission statement about the understated nature of true happiness. (Listen on YouTube.)
“What Would You Do?” from “Cabaret” (1966)
In a chameleon-like style, Kander introduces Kurt Weil by singing a poignant defiance song performed by Lotte Lenya, Weil’s widow. (Listen on YouTube.)
“Only Love” from “Zorba” (1968)
Kander’s talent for mining immense emotion from the simplest material shines through in this song, sung by Maria Karnilova, then echoed in another register by the company. (Listen on YouTube.)
“Maybe This Time” from the movie “Cabaret” (1972)
Their muse, Minnelli, is now in full diva mode, fusing pathos and bravado with Kander and Ebb’s classic “Screamer” with classic Kander vamps. (Listen on YouTube.)
‘All That Jazz’ from Chicago (1975)
Kander sets his style to Prohibition-era honky-tonk, and Chita Rivera, another of Kander and Ebb’s muses, ignites the atmosphere. (Listen on YouTube.)
“‘New York, New York’ Theme” from “New York, New York” (1977)
What can we say about this world-famous anthem, sung by Minnelli in top notch, except that it was written to replace the previous version in 45 minutes? (Listen on YouTube.)
“Apples Don’t Fall” from “The Link” (1984)
Two muses meet, and Rivera and Minnelli share moments of raucous comedy that are also earworms as estranged mother and daughter. (Listen on YouTube.)
‘Everybody’s Girl’ from Steel Pier (1997)
Three rhymes set to music that sells all sorts of jokes are at the heart of this Kander and Ebb filth epilogue sung by Debra Monk. (Listen on YouTube.)
“Go Back Home” from “Scottsboro Boys” (2010)
Ebb said he wished the team could write a show without ballads. Kander dreamed of a show that had nothing. This beautiful song, sung by Brandon Victor Dixon, leans heavily on Kander’s side. (Listen on YouTube.)
“Love and Love Alone” from “The Visit” (2015)
Rivera captures a song about the pain of lost love that’s as fresh and inspiring as “What would you do?” almost 50 years ago. It’s quiet now. (Listen on YouTube.)
