Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 9, 2026

Jonathan Tunick

Jonathan Tunick is an American orchestrator, musical director, and composer. He is best known for orchestrating the works of Stephen Sondheim, their collaboration starting in 1970 with Company and continuing until Sondheim's death in 2021.

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Jonathan Tunick
Tunick receiving Tony Award for Best Orchestrations 2024
Born (1938-04-19) April 19, 1938
New York City, New York, United States
EducationBard College, Juilliard School
Occupations
  • Orchestrator
  • musical director
  • composer
SpouseLeigh Beery
AwardsEGOT

Jonathan Tunick (born April 19, 1938) is an American orchestrator, musical director, and composer. He is best known for orchestrating the works of Stephen Sondheim, their collaboration starting in 1970 with Company and continuing until Sondheim's death in 2021.

Early life and education

Jonathan Tunick graduated from Hunter College Elementary School, and the LaGuardia Performing Arts High School, and holds degrees from Bard College and the Juilliard School.1

Career

Tunick's principal instrument is the clarinet.2 Much of his work has arisen from his involvement in theatre, and he is associated especially with the musicals of Stephen Sondheim.3 Sondheim said "Tunick is a standout in his field not only because of his musicianship and imagination, but primarily because of his great sensitivity to theatrical atmosphere".4

Tunick's band, "Broadway Moonlighters", played in 2008 with Barbara Cook as special guest,5 and played at Birdland jazz club in March 2012.2 He has also worked as an arranger and/or conductor on recordings with Judy Collins, Kiri Te Kanawa, Brian Asawa, Sir Neville Mariner, Itzhak Perlman, Plácido Domingo, Johnny Mathis, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, and Bernadette Peters.6

Recognition and awards

In his review of the Bernadette Peters recording Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein (2002), John Kenrick wrote: "Jonathan Tunick provides the brilliant arrangements."7

He has won all four major American show business awards: the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, making him an EGOT.89 In 1978, Tunick won an Oscar for A Little Night Music (Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score).9 In 1982, he won an Emmy for his work on the variety television special Night of 100 Stars (Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction),9 and in 1988, he won a Grammy for his work on the song "No One Is Alone" (Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)),9 and in 1997, he won the first Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for the musical Titanic.10

He has also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations four times and won a Drama Desk Special Award in 1982.11 Tunick was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in January 2009.12

Personal life

Tunick is married to actress Leigh Beery1 (also known as "Lee Beery"), who appeared in the television soap opera Dark Shadows in 1971.13

Work

Stage

Sources - AllMusic;14 Internet Broadway Database15

Filmography

Sources - AllMusic;14 Internet Movie Database27

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1977 Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score A Little Night Music Won 31

Drama Desk Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1982 Drama Desk Special Award Honoree 32
1984 Outstanding Orchestrations Baby Nominated 33
1988 Into the Woods Nominated 34
1994 Passion Won 35
1997 Titanic Won 36
1999 Captains Courageous Nominated 37
2000 Saturday Night Nominated 38
2001 Follies Nominated 39
2002 Elaine Stritch: At Liberty Nominated 40
2007 The Apple Tree Nominated 41
LoveMusik Won
2008 A Catered Affair Nominated 42
2014 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Nominated 43
2018 Carousel Won 44
Pacific Overtures Nominated
2020 West Side Story Nominated 45

Grammy Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1981 Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special Endless Love: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Nominated 46
1988 Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) "No One is Alone" Won

Primetime Emmy Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1982 Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction Night of 100 Stars Won 47
1984 Live from Lincoln Center (Episode: "Marilyn Horne's Great American Songbook") Nominated
Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Limited Series or a Special (Dramatic Underscore) American Playhouse (Episode: "Concealed Enemies") Nominated
1989 Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music Tattingers Nominated
1993 Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music Love & War Nominated

Tony Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1997 Best Orchestrations Titanic Won 48
2000 Marie Christine Nominated 49
2001 Follies Nominated 50
2003 Nine Nominated 51
2005 Pacific Overtures Nominated 52
2007 110 in the Shade Nominated 53
LoveMusik Nominated
2008 A Catered Affair Nominated 54
2010 Promises, Promises Nominated 55
2014 A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Nominated 56
2018 Carousel Nominated 57
2024 Merrily We Roll Along Won 58
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Rothstein, Mervyn. "A Life in the Theatre: Orchestrator, Composer and Music Director Jonathan Tunick" Archived 2013-11-26 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, September 16, 2005
  2. Gans, Andrew. "Tony-Winning Orchestrator Jonathan Tunick Plays Birdland March 19; Rebecca Faulkenberry Is Special Guest", playbill.com, March 19, 2012.
  3. Jonathan Tunick biography, sondheimguide.com; accessed April 17, 2012.
  4. Sharbutt, Jay (May 23, 1982). "Musical Arrangers, Men Behind The Song Hits". The Journal News. Associated Press. p. G8.
  5. Gans, Andrew (November 11, 2008). "Tony Winner Cook Will Join Tunick at Birdland Nov. 24". Playbill.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. Jonathan Tunick profile goodmantheatre.org, June 2003; accessed April 17, 2012
  7. Kenrick, John. "Solo CD's. Bernadette Peters" Musicals101.com; accessed April 18, 2012
  8. King, Darryn (January 10, 2024). "The EGOT Winner Behind Sondheim's Signature Sound". The New York Times.
  9. Gans, Andrew (July 7, 2023). "How 2 Phone Calls Changed the Life of Frequent Sondheim Orchestrator Jonathan Tunick". Playbill.
  10. Kuchwara, Michael (June 2, 1997). "Revival rakes in the awards; Tony taps 'Chicago'". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 25.
  11. "Jonathan Tunick Orchestrator, Musical Coordinator". Playbill.
  12. Gans, Andrew. (January 26, 2009) "Theater Hall of Fame Ceremony Presented Jan. 26; Ivey Hosts" Playbill
  13. "Leigh Beery Film and TV" imdb.com; accessed October 10, 2015
  14. "Jonathan Tunick Credits" allmusic.com, accessed April 17, 2012
  15. Jonathan Tunick Listing", Internet Broadway Database; accessed April 17, 2012.
  16. Hischak, Thomas S. "Chapter Two, A New Arena:The 1950s" Off-Broadway Musicals Since 1919 (2011), (books.google.com), Scarecrow Press, Inc., ISBN 978-0-8108-7771-9, p. 43
  17. " 'All in Love' Listing" Archived 2012-10-21 at the Wayback Machine Internet Off-Broadway Database, accessed April 17, 2012
  18. " 'Sondheim: A Musical Tribute'" Archived 2011-11-07 at the Wayback Machine, SondheimGuide.com; accessed April 17, 2012
  19. " 'Smith' Listing", Internet Broadway database; accessed April 17, 2012
  20. " 'Phantom' Cast Album Listing" castalbumdb.com, accessed April 17, 2012
  21. Brantley, Ben. "Theater Review; Both a Sendup and an Embrace, Based on Bergman Again" The New York Times, December 19, 1994
  22. Evans, Greg. "Patti Lupone on Broadway" Variety, October 12, 1995
  23. " 'Minnelli on Minnelli' Listing" Internet Broadway Database, accessed April 17, 2012
  24. " 'Road Show'" Archived 2012-10-20 at the Wayback Machine Internet Off-Broadway database, accessed April 18, 2012
  25. Murray, Matthew. "Theatre Review. 'Bounce' " talkinbroadway.com, November 2, 2003, accessed April 18, 2012
  26. Eadie, Bill."Regional Reviews. 'Some Lovers', Old Globe" talkinbroadway.com, December 10, 2011
  27. "Jonathan Tunick Listing" Internet Movie Database, accessed April 17, 2012
  28. "Cast and Crew, 'Brotherly Love'" fandango.com, assessed April 18, 2012
  29. " 'The B.R.A.T Patrol' Cast and Crew" movies.amctv.com, accessed April 18, 2012
  30. "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall" Archived 2011-11-07 at the Wayback Machine sondheimguide.com, accessed April 18, 2012
  31. "The 50th Academy Awards (1978) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  32. "Nominees and Recipients – 1982 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  33. "Nominees and Recipients – 1984 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  34. "Nominees and Recipients – 1988 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  35. "Nominees and Recipients – 1994 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  36. "Nominees and Recipients – 1997 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  37. "Nominees and Recipients – 1999 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  38. "Nominees and Recipients – 2000 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  39. "Nominees and Recipients – 2001 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  40. "Nominees and Recipients – 2002 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  41. "Nominees and Recipients – 2007 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  42. "Nominees and Recipients – 2008 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  43. "Nominees and Recipients – 2014 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  44. "Nominees and Recipients – 2018 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  45. "Nominees and Recipients – 2020 Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  46. "Jonathan Tunick". Grammy Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  47. "Jonathan Tunick". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  48. "1997 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  49. "2000 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  50. "2001 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  51. "2003 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  52. "2005 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  53. "2007 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  54. "2008 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  55. "2010 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  56. "2014 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  57. "2018 Tony Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  58. Sherman, Rachel (April 30, 2024). "Tony Awards Nominations 2024: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
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