Memory

Andrew Lloyd Webber originally composed the melody that is now known as “Memory” from Cats for a miniature opera about Puccini and his wife.

The opera was never performed, but the melody was brought out of retirement as possible song for Juan Peron in Webber’s Evita.  That show was certainly performed but the melody in question had been dropped.  Originally, Andrew Lloyd Webber had played the tune to his father, also a composer, and asked if it sounded like Puccini.  William Lloyd Webber replied that it sounded more like a million dollars.

Source: Cryer, Max (2008) Love Me Tender.  Auckland: Exisle Publishing, p.13.

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