Lerner and Loewe

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Lerner and Loewe refers to 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, had their fateful meeting 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. The rest is history.

Lerner claimed to be the more dominate 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 again as they were knee deep in work with Camelot. After Camelot, Fritz Loewe retired and swore he would never write another note. Alan Jay Lerner tried time and again to top his greatest work, My Fair Lady, but found only mediocrity or failure.

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

Their best known productions were,

• Brigadoon (1947)
• Paint Your Wagon (1951)
• My Fair Lady (1956)
• Gigi (1958)
• Camelot (1960)

Lerner and Loewe musicals
Life of the Party • What's Up? • The Day Before Spring • Brigadoon • Paint Your Wagon • My Fair Lady • Camelot • Gigi • The Little Prince