program notes by composition > L > Selections from "Les Misérables"

Selections from "Les Misérables"

arr. Warren Barker

Based on a classic novel by Victor Hugo, Les Mis opened in Paris in 1980, and five years later in London where it became the longest-running musical in West End history. The novel begins in 1815 and culminates in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris. It follows the lives and interactions of several characters, focusing on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption. The 2012 movie has brought renewed popularity. This masterful medley includes: “At the End of the Day,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Master of the House,” “On My Own” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?”

Credits: French co-lyricist Alain Boublil (b. 1941) was born in Tunisia to a Sephardic Jewish family. He is known for his collaborations with music composer Claude-Michel Schönberg . Schönberg (b. 1944) was born to Hungarian parents who repaired organs and tuned pianos; he gained fame as a record producer, actor, singer, songwriter, and musical theatre composer. Lyricist Herbert Kretzmer (b. 1925) wrote the English-language musical adaptation; he was born in South Africa to Lithuanian immigrants who fled the pogroms of Czarist Russia. French co-lyricist Jean-Marc Natel (b. 1942) is a poet and songwriter.

Warren Barker (1923-2006) arranged this music. Educated at UCLA, Mr. Barker was an American composer for film, radio, television and Las Vegas clubs. He composed the incidental music for the hit 1960s TV series Bewitched and he composed and arranged numerous pieces for concert band.

Last updated on November 17, 2017 by Palatine Concert Band