Customer Reviews

Fiddler on the Roof (1967 Original London Cast)

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4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

What is it about Fiddler on the Roof that makes it such an enduring and breathtaking masterpiece? Is it the charming and very unusual plot line coupled with the delightful music and the moving lyrics, or is it something more?...What FOTR really is is a character musical; every archetypical jewish and Russian figure is embodied in this piece. It is impossible not to love and laugh over delightful figures like Tevye, Golde, Yente, Motel...i could go on and on. It is this endearing quality that has made FOTR the timeless classic that it is...other musicals are breathtaking or touching or hilarious...this musical is all of those things and much more. While I would not go as far as to say that it is my favorite musical, I cannot deny it the credit it undoubtedly deserves. For those who have never seen it performed,I heartily reccomend the excellent film, for those who have and who want to bring the music into their homes, this is the recording for you. By all means buy the broadway recording as well but do not overlook this one which is in my opinion infinetly superior. Zero Mostel was certainly an extremely talented performer, (A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum testifies to the fact) but he does not have that utterly perfect Israeli/Yiddish flair which Topol brings to the role. Also, the extracts that i have heard from the broadway recording are slow; they do not capture the intensity of the piece as well as this one does, and several members of the cast simply cannot do justice to the songs in the way that the London cast members can. Topol's If I Were A Rich Man and his duet with Lazar Wolf(Paul Whitsun-Jones) To Life! cannot be beaten and the full company songs (Tradition, Tevye's Dream, Sunrise, Sunset amd Anatevka) are equally brilliant. The younger cast members occasionally have trouble with their songs but they still provide sweeter more vibrant moments to those on the Broadway recoding. Miracle of Miracles and Far from the Home I love are especially good. Even if i have not been able to convince you that this CD is your best option, buy one recording of the score at least; I am certain that you will not regret it.

I saw Topol last night in Fiddler on the Roof in Portland, Oregon. He was truly amazing! That same voice that one hears in video or cd is still there.
I LOVED the play. The cast was very good but Topol was excellent. Fiddler on the Roof is one of my all time favorite movies. When I'm on a long flight, I always bring my DVD. Yes, it is an almost 3 hour movie but I never get bored. I know all the songs and have to control myself NOT to sing outloud.
I am so glad my family and I got to see Topol even at 75 years of age..I hope and pray that I have that kind of energy at 75!! He is truly an inspiration to us "older folk". Never, never give up your dreams! And hold on to your Traditions!!!

You definitely won't regret getting this version of "Fiddler on the Roof!!!" I saw Topol live and he was amazing in the lead role...the animation and emotion in his voice makes him one of the best Broadway singers EVER!!! The rest of the cast is equally as animated and talented...they make you feel as if you're sitting right there in the front row! One of the best cd's I've ever bought :)

This music is to die for! I love to hear these songs and to be able to sing with the music. This CD is definitely a miricle of miracles!

I think just be looking at the cover, you can tell how rough this looks. Topal's poytrayal as Tevia dosn't help it. This is a very dark, quit version of Fiddler and the bonus tracks will scare the ever living flesh out of your kids. The early sketch for the dream was very very upsetting. Now I can't go to sleep at night because of this recording. Everything after the dream is just dissapointing and I don't blame the muscial because that is good but this is bad. The bonus tracks are just tracks you'd hear at a Halloween party. Not on an Original London cast recording. Seriously, the tracks at the end are very very scary. Do not buy.

I reccomend the American recordings. [The original Broadway and the New Broadway cast recordings].