Anastasia: Music From The Motion Picture (1997 Version) [SOUNDTRACK]

Liz Callaway, Lynn Ahrens, David Newman, Stephen Flaherty

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Original Release Date: October 28, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002JEJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,798 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #12 in	Music > Soundtracks > Anime & Video Game Soundtracks
  #25 in	Music > Soundtracks > By Decade > 1990s
  #79 in	Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
One of the more successful attempts by another studio (here Fox) to make a quality animated film on par with Disney was Anastasia. The music by David Newman and songs by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (the Broadway team that won a Tony for Ragtime) give the movie a sturdy backbone. From the Zhivago-gone-Broadway opening number "A Rumor in St. Petersburg" to the Oscar-nominated get-up-and-sing "Journey to the Past," the CD is filled with bright numbers, including low-key pop versions of several of the songs. The vocal talent is exceptional, especially Liz Callaway (Grizabella in Broadway's Cats) as Anastasia (Meg Ryan supplied the speaking voice). Bernadette Peters and Jim Cummings (doing a mean Christopher Lloyd impersonation as the speaking voice of the movie's heavy, Rasputin) offer solid support, with kudos to Kelsey Grammer as Vlad, the portly sidekick. The album's (and film's) star is "Once Upon a December," simply one of the most beautiful songs ever from an animated film. Using a waltz motif that is heard throughout the film, the song--with sparse lyrics--builds into a sweeping and memorable number. It will have your dancing princesses asking for repeats. The CD's liner notes include complete lyrics. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unusually Meaningful Words Accompanying Mature Melodies, July 2, 2000

By	The Fingers On My Keyboard - See all my reviews

I must confess: This is the first ever CD that I bought back in 1997, and it's been a beautiful musical gem that's got me into appreciating other various genres of music! There is not one song on this soundtrack that you could possibly dislike...which brings me to the curious fact: WHY WASN'T THIS NOMINATED FOR BEST SOUNDTRACK (as far as I know)! It isn't a matter of being biased in enjoying the tunes here: whether or not you support Fox, or its fictitious rendition of historical characters, don't matter in this judgement. The music of "Anastasia" is LIVING TALENT on its own.

From the bright start in "A Rumour in St. Petersburg", follows the touchingly nostalgaic "Journey to the Past". "Once Upon A December" is an absolute favourite as a haunting lullaby with lyrics of magical fantasy, whose tune lingers throughout the movie with the theme of poignant memory. "In the Dark of the Night" is a surprisingly amusing "villainous" song (which is effort to take note of, since most composers would think only a lousy tune is befitting of the bad guy, e.g. "Ruber" from the OST of "Quest for Camelot"), while "Learn to Do It" is a brilliant cross between acapella and gospel (coupled with encouraging lyrics to complete the treat). The Reprise sticks to the former's tune with romance, until "Paris is the Key (To Your Heart)" finishes off with a loud entertaining parade of song.

Then comes the pop songs, which I think all mature fans of pop should look out for. "At the Beginning" is a wonderful love theme (why wasn't this nominated for BEST SONG?), and Donna Lewis and Richard Marx do a convincingly great job at singing the otherwise HIT of a love song. The R&B rendition of "Journey to the Past" ain't as good as the original (as expected), but Aaliyah puts in good effort to make this track rather enjoyable. Then the more acoustic version of "Once Upon a December" should've had someone better that Deana Carter - someone with more solid vocals to accompany the wonderful instrumentation.

The scores are, then of course, among the best pieces of music I have ever heard. My particular favourites are the light and funny "Speaking of Sophie" and rejoiceful "Reminiscing with Grandma". All I can say is, David Newman and Stephen Flaherty have reached fantastic heights with this soundtrack. I'm looking forward to greater works in future.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still one of my favorite soundtracks after all these years, January 2, 2007

By	Charity (Texas) - See all my reviews

2007 will mark the 10th "birthday" of the animated film, Anastasia. When I was little, this was one of my favorite animated films. (All the way up in the top 10 with The Lion King) One reason I liked it so much was easily the music.

1. A Rumor in St. Petersburg-
A funny song that played near the beginning of the movie. Not something you'd want to play really loud, but still a funny track.

2. Journey to the Past- Anastasia singing about "home, love, family". Isn't that the main theme of the movie? Lovely, high quality song.

3. Once Upon a December- I LOVE this song. It's beautiful.

4. In The Dark Of The Night- O.o An old creepy man singing about killing an innocent girl? Er... yeah. Like the first track, it's not something you should be blasting on a giant stereo system... unless you want to get some weird looks from innocent passer-bys.

5. Learn To Do It- Cute song from another one of those "random characters burst out into song" moments.

6. Learn To Do It (Waltz Suprise)- The music from that scene were Anya and Dimitri were dancing on the boat from the middle of the movie. (Not the scene at the very end.)

7. Paris Holds The Key (To Your Heart)- Another one of those fun "random characters burst out into song" moments from one of my favorite scenes of the movie.

8. At The Beginning- Possibly the reason most people buying this album are probably buying it for this track alone. It's a sweet pop song, good enough to be played on any pop radio station. It was played during the end credits and really captures the "feel" of the whole movie.

9. Journey To The Past (Aaliyah's Version)- A sort of R&B-ish remake of "Journey To The Past". Aaliyah did a good job, it sounds lovely.

10. Once Upon A December (Deana Carter's Version)- Not as good as Aaliyah's song but I still enjoy it.

Tracks 11-16 are all instrumentals, although I think the vocals from when little Anastasia and her grandmother were singing (very beginning of the movie) are in track 11.

17. Viaje Tiempo Atras (Journey To The Past)- Unnecessary track, it's just "Journey to the Past" in Spanish... but if you know Spanish, then enjoy sitting there and bugging people how you know what the woman is singing and they don't. Still a good track, but like I said, unnecessary.

Well, I hope my review of one of my favorite CDs of all time was informative and helpful.
- Charity

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great soundtrack!, May 10, 2005

By	Derrick (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best soundtracks that have ever been produced: each song is nice to listen to. I'm glad that there are three versions of the theme song "Journey to the Past" (the original by Liz Callaway, which is the best on this album, Aliyah's pop version, and Thalia's Latin salsa version) -- they're all great to listen to, although the best interpretation, done by Lea Salonga (voice of Jasmine and Mulan) in her Christmas concert abroad, can't be heard here.

See the movie and get this recording -- you'll enjoy Anastasia!