Candide (1956 Original Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack]

Leonard Bernstein (Artist), Richard Wilbur (Artist), Max Adrian (Artist), Barbara Cook (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000996FW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,190 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a Broadway milestone, September 28, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Candide (1956 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Leonard Bernstein's CANDIDE was a Broadway flop when it first opened in 1956 at the Martin Beck Theatre, shuttering after an abysmal 73 performances. Though the show has never quite achieved the greatness it deserves, the Overture is considered to be one of the greatest, most thrilling ever written. The original 1956 cast album of the show has now been reissued on the Columbia Broadway Masterworks label.

Based on the play by Voltaire, the show starred Robert Rounseville ('Mr Snow' in the film version of CAROUSEL) as Candide, with Irra Petina as the Old Woman with One Buttock and Max Adrian as Dr Pangloss. Barbara Cook (the City Center revival of CAROUSEL, PLAIN AND FANCY) stars as the young ingenue Cunegonde.

The score, by Leonard Bernstein by lyrics by Richard Wilbur, John LaTouche and Dorothy Parker, is superb. The musical is best known for the devilish 'jewel song' aria "Glitter and Be Gay", sung by the clarion soprano of Barbara Cook, who infuses it with all the vocal pyrotechnics that it calls for."I Am Easily-Assimilated" is comically performed by Irra Petina, whilst the baritone of Robert Rounseville is showcased in "It Must Be So".

As a bonus on this new reissue, there is the majestic sweeping Overture as performed by the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Leonard Bernstein himself. There are also brand-new liner notes including an essay from Barbara Cook.

As well as this landmark recording, I also recommend the 1997 Broadway revival cast album (which features Harolyn Blackwell as Cunegonde and Jim Dale as Dr Pangloss). Buy them both today!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better words, better singing, all too brief!, August 28, 2005

By 

Jeff Dunn (Alameda, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candide (1956 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

Someday, a genius producer will make this show work, probably as a film instead of a staged production. Until then, we must bask in the fabulous music, the best of which, perfectly sung, remains on this all-too-abbreviated original cast recording. Ideally, this recording should be supplemented by Bernstein's 1989 recording of a complete score. The two together represent youth and age, sadly.

All the tinkering and updating went for naught when you compare the original "Best of all possible worlds" words with later versions. Candide was a child of the 18th century and 1950s and should remain so.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Glitter and Be Gay, October 19, 2007

By 

~Amante "James" (Frederick, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candide (1956 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I currently own two recordings of Candide, this one and the 1997 revival. It is hard to say which one is better; however it is easy to say this one is more important. This is the original. Many have come after it (including a revised version by Bernstein himself) but this is the basis for them all. Each revision is different in some way, so you really should own this one to know the true Candide. In circles of major Broadway fans this recording is considered the definitive way to sing "Glitter and Be Gay" and I must say it is really quite amazing. Candide leans heavily into the styling's of operetta so some west side story fans may be surprised with what they hear, but it is still beautiful music. So why even consider another recording? The 1997 recording has almost the full orchestrations and they sound glorious. Some reworking of libretto and plot may not be, but hearing the magnificent composition of Bernstein is well worth the investment. Bottom line: If you can only get one, this is the one to get. Favorite song: "It Must Be So"