the world is mourning the loss of legendary musical theater composer stephen sonde heim.d so many more. he died yesterday at the age of 91. the tributes, as you can imagine, continue to pour in. from hillary clinton who tweeted out, he changed the theater and our culture with his craft, his humor and heart. fellow composer andrew lloyd webber who called him, quote, the musical theater giant of our times, an inspiration not just to two but to three generations. here is nbc's anne thompson . ♪♪ >> reporter: stephen sonde heim's most famous song was an unexpected hit. ♪ isn't it rich ♪ >> reporter: judy collins, then frank sinatra. ♪ send in the clowns ♪ >> reporter: putting the words and music of broadway's master into the top firm meant. >> it is the right singer at the right time with the right material. >> reporter: it was sondheim who was right for his time. ♪ someone to make you come through ♪ ♪ who always will be there as frightened as you ♪ ♪ of being alive ♪ >> reporter: filling theaters with songs about the complex relationships between people. ♪ i want you so ♪ ♪