Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers ""became extraordinarily successful in his work, enjoyed a privileged life, and shared two Pulitzer Prizes. He was also unhappy and depressed much of the time,"" says Hyland (The Song Is Ended: Songwriters and American Music, 1900-1950) in the preface to his thoroughly researched, if rather ploddingly explicatory, biography. Born in 1902 into a well-to-do New York Jewish family, Rodgers was musically gifted and gravitated to the theater, attending the ""subway circuit"" of successful Broadway shows at West Side theaters. There he heard Jerome Kern and, like George Gershwin, was inspired to write songs for Broadway. Fate seemed to agree with his career choice, throwing him into contact with his two greatest collaborators very early: 1919 saw Rodgers's first collaborative efforts with both Oscar Hammerstein and Lorenz Hart. Although charming (particularly with women) and thoroughly professional, Rodgers did suffer from bouts of depression and occasional alcoholism and he was thought by some to be distant and even difficult. After more than two decades with Hart, Rodgers severed their relationship and turned to Hammerstein, with whom he would write Oklahoma!, South Pacific and The Sound of Music, among others. Examining these two great teams as well as Rodgers collaborations with Sheldon Harnick, Martin Charnin and Stephen Sondheim, Hyland provides his most valuable insights, showing how teams draw on each other's strengths to create great work, but also how often unrealized weaknesses undermine a partnership. 17 b&w photos. (May)