Anna Karenina: The Broadway Musical [Soundtrack]

Dan Levine (Composer), Peter Kellog (Composer), Brian d'Arcy James (Performer), Gregg Edelman (Performer), Jeff McCarthy (Performer), Kerry Butler (Performer), Marc Kudisch (Performer), Melissa Errico (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Brian d'Arcy James, Gregg Edelman, Jeff McCarthy, Kerry Butler, Marc Kudisch, et al.
• Composer: Dan Levine, Peter Kellog
• Audio CD (August 7, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Lml Music
• ASIN: B000T4SX1A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,213 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a Gem !, August 30, 2007

By 

Musicals Dave "Live Musicals Forever!" (England UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anna Karenina: The Broadway Musical (Audio CD)

What a great, great pity this wonderful musical only ran for 46 performances in 1992 after being ravaged by the so-caled critics. It has some absolutely wonderful music, A superb duet, track 18, I've listened to it so many times. The whole cd is just wonderful with a slightly updated score from the composer, great orchestration not to mention the top class singing performances. You may need to hear the cd a couple of times to really appreciate its magic - taking you to a different world. Pick a nice evening, sit down in your conservatory, surround yourself with candles, a good bottle of red, turn the volume up and just enjoy.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Wonderful!, September 29, 2007

By 

Emily Nickoloff - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anna Karenina: The Broadway Musical (Audio CD)

I bought this simply because it is based on one of my favorite novels. Really, I fully expected to ridicule the plot, as I cannot see how you can possibly get a 800 page book down to a little over twenty songs.

Imagine my surprise when I wound up just loving it.

It stays surprisingly accurate to the novel, as far as it can, at least. It cuts out several portions, and the end after Anna's death is gone. Still, it is not terrible, and is certainly listenable for a fan of the novel.

As for music...this is just beautiful. The score, the performers, they are all perfect. The melodies are haunting at times, although there are those that are a bit lighter. Melissa Errico is superb as the title character; her voice is perfect for the songs.

This is definitely a musical that all should look at. You will not be disappointed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tolstoy's great heroine sings, February 12, 2008

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Anna Karenina: The Broadway Musical (Audio CD)

This recording recreates the ill-fated 1992 Broadway musical version of ANNA KARENINA. Based on the classic novel by Tolstoy with a score by Dan Levine and Peter Kellogg, the show played a run at Circle-in-the-Square (where it received Tony Award nominations for it's book and score), then faded into the void after only 46 performances. On this brand-new recording, we can once again hear the amazing score.

The story of Anna Karenina, who walks away from her marriage to have an affair with dashing Captain Vronsky, has been the subject of many movie and television adaptations (including versions starring Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, Nicola Pagett, Jacqueline Bissett and Sophie Marceau); but the story also easily lends itself to the principles of musical theatre, where these kinds of tragic, Fate-thwarted romances are commonplace.

Ann Crumb and Scott Wentworth originated the roles of Anna and Vronsky on Broadway. For this new recording, the roles are filled by the talented Melissa Errico and Brian d'Arcy James. Both hugely talented Tony-nominated stars in their own right, Ms Errico and Mr James bring lots of passion and emotion to their respective roles. Ms Errico originally played Kitty (and understudied Ms Crumb) in the Broadway production, and it's fun having her "graduated" to Anna on this album.

The score of Kellogg and Levine's ANNA KARENINA has a true pre-Revolution Russia flavour (especially in numbers like "I Shall Work", "Journey to Moscow", and the dreamy "We Were Dancing"); the orchestra for the most part is quite understated and minimalist; a true chamber piece.

Brian d'Arcy James and Melissa Errico sparkle with the main love theme, "Waiting for You". Melissa Errico's haunting voice later tears through "I'm Lost" and "Seryozha" with all the pain of a woman who has given up her entire life to be with a man she'll later be torn from.

The talented cast of Broadway vets assembled for this album also includes Kerry Butler, Gregg Edelman (recreating his original role of Levin), Jeff McCarthy and Marc Kudisch. Definitely one for the top shelf of your cast album collection.