Stephen Schwartz: Defying Gravity from Wicked - EdexcelStephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz composed Defying Gravity for the musical Wicked that opened in 2003. It is a vocal duet between two witches and is one of the biggest songs of the musical, finishing the first act.
Stephen Schwartz is an American composer born in 1948. He studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. In 1971 he wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Godspell, which won many awards including two Grammys.
Other musicals he has written include Pippin, The Magic Show and Geppetto.
Schwartz is an equally talented lyricist, contributing to the Disney films Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Enchanted. He composed the music to The Prince of Egypt, winning the Oscar for Best Original Song with When You Believe, in 1999.
Wicked has been well-received all around the world. It has had a continuous run on BroadwayA prominent area for plays and musicals in Manhatten, New York, with many theatres in a small area. since it premiered in 2003 and London鈥檚 West EndAn area in London which is home to large theatres known to produce world-class levels of theatre performance. since 2006. Stephen Schwartz has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame because of the successful career.