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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It might seem an odd choice for the honor, but "Fiddler on the Roof" is undoubtedly the most beloved Broadway musical of the Sixties. The book by Joseph Stein is based upon the stories of Sholem Aleichem, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, the songwriting team whose earlier Tony Award winning success "Fiorello!" certainly never suggested they could create something as wonderful as "Fiddler." Zero Mostel heads the cast as Tevye, the dairyman, with Maria Karnilova as Golde, his wife, who, with "Do You Love Me?" have the best love duet between two married people in musical history.
At the heart of the story are the efforts by Tevye to deal with the way God keeps presenting him with challenges, from needing to take care of a lame horse ("If I Were A Rich Man"), to getting his oldest daughter engaged to one man ("To Life") only to see her marry another ("Sunrise, Sunset"), and finally to leave the only home he has ever known to travel to America ("Anatevka"). Throughout it all Tevye tries to remain true to the traditions of his community ("Prologue--Tradition") and his faith ("Sabbath Prayer"). The cast features Beatrice Arthur as Yente the matchmaker ("The Rumor"), Austin Pendleton as Motel the tailor ("Miracle of Miracles"), Bert Convy as Perchik the student ("Now I Have Everything"), Joanna Merlin as the eldest daughter Tzeitel ("Matchmaker") and future opera star Julia Migenes as the second oldest daughter Hodel ("Far from the Home I Love").
I understand now from those who should know that Mostel butchers the pronunciation of anything not said or sung in English, but I have to admit that does not really detract from my enjoyment of this album; I do not pay attention to pronunciation when listening to opera either, so I am at least consistent. This CD version features two previously unreleased tracks, the "Wedding Dance" music (including the famous bottle dance) and "The Rumor," both of which are welcomed additions. Bottom line: If you own a dozen musicals on CD, then this is one of the ones that has to be in your collection
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This score, though considered by most to be beautiful and moving, is rarely given credit for its true artistry and thematic significance. FIDDLER is a musical about a man, Tevye, struggling with the challanges that come with attempting to hold firm to one's traditions in the ever changing society. The music reflects this dichotomey. Songs that characterize events in the play in which tradition is upheld, such as "Tradition," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "Sabbath Prayer" have a hebrew feel to them. Other songs--such as the song sung by the young tailor, Motel, who wishes to marry Tevye's even though it was not arranged for him to do so--are in "Broadway style." In the song "Far from the home I love" Tevye's middle daughter explains her turmoil when she must chose between a traditional life at home or an uncertain life with the revolutionary she has fallen in love with. The song oscilates between major and minor keys, making the song sound traditionally Hebrew at one verse and more typically "broadway" in the next. The thematically significant score is also a delight to listen to. The melodies soar, the lyrics charm, and the orchestrations are top notch.
Though this cast may not have the most soothing voices, their voices fit perfectly with the characters. When you listen ot a track on this CD, you don't hear Zero Mostle sing "If I Were a Rich Man," you hear Tevye. The actor's abitilty to tranfer their characterization to the CD is amazing, making this recording the best to have. FIDDLER is one of the most beloved musicals of all time; listen to this recording and you will understand why.
32 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF has been a bestseller for RCA for forty years now, and I will not dispute that. I love the movie soundtrack, and the 1967 London cast recording with Topol is acceptable, but the ORIGINAL has remained the best. The cast is superb and performances are glorious. I'm only disappointed that I wasn't alive back in the 60s to see this on Broadway. I'm not sure if the recording was remastered for this "deluxe edition" release or not, but it sounds glorious. I've had the LP for quite some time now, but seeing an outstanding local community theatre group production of FIDDLER a year ago at the historic Al Ringling Theatre in Baraboo, Wis., compelled me to obtain this on CD.
This release, however, gets only 3 stars because of the moronic, cheap packaging that RCA devoted to this deluxe edition of an album that has been a show music best-seller for them for forty years. All that the CD comes in is basically a cheap thin open-out cardboard sleeve with a CD tray on one side and the liner notes glued to the other. As another reviewer states in his/her review of the similar HELLO DOLLY deluxe edition, this is NOT the proper way to store CDs. The bonus tracks alone do not make this special edition worth the purchase. In bonus tracks, I like to see outtakes that were originally recorded by the cast and subsequently dropped. I really think we could do without the studio and radio interviews that labels (most notably Columbia) have been resorting to for inclusion on Broadway discs under the banner of special features or bonus tracks.
By all means, DO look for this recording in its previous CD incarnation from RCA, which is still in print, but avoid the deluxe edition.
This release, however, gets only 3 stars because of the moronic, cheap packaging that RCA devoted to this deluxe edition of an album that has been a show music best-seller for them for forty years. All that the CD comes in is basically a cheap thin open-out cardboard sleeve with a CD tray on one side and the liner notes glued to the other. As another reviewer states in his/her review of the similar HELLO DOLLY deluxe edition, this is NOT the proper way to store CDs. The bonus tracks alone do not make this special edition worth the purchase. In bonus tracks, I like to see outtakes that were originally recorded by the cast and subsequently dropped. I really think we could do without the studio and radio interviews that labels (most notably Columbia) have been resorting to for inclusion on Broadway discs under the banner of special features or bonus tracks.
By all means, DO look for this recording in its previous CD incarnation from RCA, which is still in print, but avoid the deluxe edition.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
I love it
I've been listening to a copy of the 1964 album that I made on cassette tape in the early 1970's. It finally died, so it was really great to find the original sound track on CD. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Paul Levin
Great Soundtrack
This is an awesome soundtrack. it is fun and enjoyable to listen to. the best songs on this cd are all of them
Published 13 months ago by David A. Smith
Different versions, Different thoughts
There are several versions of the Fiddler on the Roof album. First is to decide whether you want the London Cast album, the Broadway Cast album, or the movie soundtrack. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Dr. Stuart Gitlow
Wonderful after all these years
This CD was wonderful. It arrived promptly and in mint condition. The music is fabulous and most probably will endure forever.
Published on September 14, 2009 by Belinda Miller
Fiddler as Good in '09 as in '64
The music has run through my head since I saw "Fiddler" in 64, and two other times in community theaters. Read more
Published on August 28, 2009 by Terry G. Kelley
Fiddler on the Roof - 1964 Original Bway Cast
This CD is one of my all time favorites. I just love the music. The only reason I purchased it on a CD is because my original copy was on an 8 track tape cassette. Read more
Published on July 8, 2009 by mrstag
A good Fiddle
The Broadway cast recording is fine, but if you really want to get a sense of Tevye, his character, personality and warmth, purchases the London recording with Topol--it and he are... Read more
Published on June 29, 2009 by Thom Karlsen
Great recording!
I chose Fiddler for my students' spring musical, and always like to get the original cast recording to help give me an idea of the original idea for the pieces in the show. Read more
Published on August 13, 2008 by Barbara K. Lamont
Fiddler on the Roof is great!
I was very young when I first saw this broadway play and love all of the songs in this cd.
Published on August 13, 2007 by Stormy
The original first time way...
I really love Topol in the role of Tevye, but he wasn't in the original broadway cast and Mr. Mostel created the role. Read more
Published on May 9, 2007 by J. Bevan
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