Moscow in GREAT COMET
Moscow in GREAT COMET
jmuep
Chorus Member Joined: 8/11/04
#1Moscow in GREAT COMET
Posted: 5/22/17 at 2:05pm
Random question. Anybody know why the pronunciation of "Moscow" changed from the off-Broadway production of GREAT COMET when it got to Broadway. I noticed it when I saw the show again at the Imperial and now that I'm listening to the new recording, I'm asking myself why again. Just curious.
Thanks!
#2Moscow in GREAT COMET
Posted: 5/22/17 at 2:16pm
Mos-coh is just the correct pronunciation, that's all.
I do like that it creates a fun rhyme in Charming- "How can you live in Moscow, and not go nowhere?"
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#3Moscow in GREAT COMET
Posted: 5/22/17 at 2:52pm
Mos-cow is a very 'AMERICAN' pronunciation.....which we haven't even really used since the late 80s? Many here have commented that its so strange that earlier versions didn't catch the faux pas, unless Malloy had some underlying reasoning that just never came through.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#4Moscow in GREAT COMET
Posted: 5/22/17 at 3:01pm
"Mos-coh is just the correct pronunciation, that's all."
Actually, I don't find any evidence that there is only one "correct" English pronunciation of that word.
The Russians pronounce it "Mosk-VA," and there's no reason why we don't do the same. It's not like it's hard for Americans to say (like Munich-München).
#5Moscow in GREAT COMET
Posted: 5/22/17 at 3:02pm
lol i just wondered this in the new recording thread the other day. very strange the mistake wasn't caught til recently. i prefer the "ow" pronunciation no matter how incorrect it is, tbh
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
willep
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
#6Moscow in GREAT COMET
Posted: 5/22/17 at 7:18pm
I can't for the life of me find where, but I really remember Dave Malloy talking about it and he said "Mos-cow" was how he grew up pronouncing it and so that is what he had them do for the original production, and they changed it because he discovered it wasn't the proper pronounciation. But maybe I am totally making that up, who knows. If I find it, I will post it.
