Magical Musicals
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[SOUNDTRACK] West Side Story - Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, Marni Nixon |
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| Audio CD (November 24, 1992); Number of Discs: 1
Leonard Bernstein's musical update of Romeo and Juliet, with a young Stephen Sondheim's brilliant lyrics, had already galvanized Broadway with its vivid reinvention as a parable of racial intolerance and generational conflict. But director Robert Wise's lavish widescreen presentation broke fresh ground by taking the story to its most impressionable audience, the teenagers who could identify directly with Tony and Maria, and opened up Jerome Robbins's kinetic choreography through bravura camera work. The original soundtrack album was not merely a huge seller but a unique touchstone for an otherwise rock-oriented audience, and its release on CD benefits from an expanded program untenable in its initial LP release, as well as a 20-bit digital transfer. With Richard Beymer, Marni Nixon (Hollywood's vocal doppelgänger of choice, here standing in for Natalie Wood), and Rita Moreno dominating, the show's bounty of terrific songs and exciting instrumental pieces remains an ear-filling treat, mixing operatic passions, tart social commentary, and high comedy. From "Tonight" to "One Hand, One Heart," "America" to "Here Come the Jets," this is a landmark in American musical theatre and film beautifully realized on disc. --Sam Sutherland |
| Note: To hear a song sample, click on the
link with sound image below.
Maria  |
RECORDING REMASTERED] [SOUNDTRACK] - Andrew Lloyd Webber,
Tim Rice, Ian Gillan, Murray Head, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen
| Audio CD (September 24, 1996); Number of Discs: 2
This original London cast is outstanding listening experience of this spectacular musical and I would recommend it to both christians and non-christians alike. This is one of the most powerful musicals to ever reach out and tap our deep emotional pits since the Classical period. |
(1965 Film - 30th Anniversary Edition) [SOUNDTRACK]
Marni Nixon, Portia Nelson, Irwin Kostal, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Julie Andrews
| Audio CD (March 28, 1995); Number of Discs: 1
Rodgers & Hammerstein wrote the music for this film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The scene in which Andrews crests a hill with her arms spread singing the title track is one of the greatest in American film. Hearing that song forever fills the listener with that image, and remains as fresh and even chilling as it was initially. Unfortunately much of this has been co-opted by television advertisements or whatever, and so could languish because of the clichéd quality of it. Fortunately, conductor Irwin Kostal delivered a wonderful score, and the vocal delivery is as vibrant as any in the storied history of film musicals. --Scott Wilson |
Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe, Marni Nixon, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway,
Theodore Bikel, Bill Shirley, Andre Previn, My Fair Lady (Related Recordings)
| Audio CD (October 18, 1994); Number of Discs: 1
The Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe classic, newly remastered with 8 previously unreleased songs. Thrilling performances by Rex Harrison and Marni Nixon (who provides the vocals for Audrey Hepburn's Character). |
Shirley Jones, Gordon MacRae, Eddie Albert, Gene Nelson,
Rodgers & Hammerstein
| Audio CD (January 19, 1993); Number of Discs: 1
In the years before rock (and even for a few years after), the album charts were full of original Broadway cast LPs and soundtracks of the film versions of those Broadway musicals. And the soundtrack to 1955's Oklahoma! was one of the biggest--hitting No. 1 for a month that year--and becoming part of the consciousness of darn near every Baby Boomer whose folks owned a record player over the next five or so years. Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones (in her film debut) were so good together, they repeated the formula (well, after Frank Sinatra dropped out) in the following year's film version of another Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Carousel. Every song here--from "Oh! What a Beautiful Morning " to the closing title track--is a gem, and whether it's "People Will Say We're in Love" or "The Farmer and the Cowman," these are the most familiar--and definitive--versions. You even get the rousing overture. --Bill Holdship |
Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Nell Carter, Melba Moore
Charlotte Rae, Treat Williams, John Savage, Beverly D'Angelo
| Audio CD (April 17, 1990); Number of Discs: 1
Although the content is different from the Broadway show,the actual singing,musicians,and recording are superior and just about every song is captivating. |
Stephen Schwartz, Victor Garber, Robin Lamont, Lynne Thigpen
| Audio CD (April 10, 1990); Number of Discs: 1
This remarkable musical brought the life of Jesus to the stage and screen with style and enthusiasam! Both the original cast album and the soundtrack recording are virtually identical, and both are equally enjoyable. |
Mitzi Gaynor, Giorgio Tozzi, Rodgers & Hammerstein
| Audio CD (March 1, 1988); Number of Discs: 1
This Academy Award-winner has long been considered as one of the best Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. South Pacific received a gorgeous treatment in its first incarnation, with Mary Martin radiant as Nelly Forbush, the American nurse assigned to a Pacific island during World War II, who falls in love with a French planter, Emile de Becque (Ezio Pinza), only to discover that he has two children from a native, something that conflicts with Nelly's small-town values. Now digitally remastered, these 16 timeless tunes are sounding better than ever! |
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