the sound of music is a musical. it was based on a 1956 german movie, "die trapp-familie" and "the story of the trapp family singers" by maria von trapp. the book was written by howard lindsay and russel crouse. the lyrics were written by oscar hammerstein ii. the music was written by richard rodgers. it was the last musical written by rodgers and hammerstein. hammerstein died nine months after the broadway opening.