Customer Reviews

Fiddler on the Roof (Deluxe Edition) (1964 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

Ahhhhh...what can you say about "Fiddler on the Roof" that hasn't already been said. This landmark in American Musical Theater (and in theater in general) is forever perserved in this timeless recording. Bock and Harnick songs vividly bring the story of Tevye, the poor milkman, to life. The songs are so touching and reflect the emotions of all, while entertaining even the most avid musical-hater (shame on you).

However, the greatest accomplishment belongs not to Bock, Harnick, Harold Prince or Jerome Robbins (who directed). The man who personifies and carries (and downright dominates) this show is the great Zero Mostel. His acting, voice and comedic timing are greatly shown in this, his definitive role. He makes "Fiddler on the Roof".

In the interviews with Sheldon Harnick (lyricist) that are on this CD (another reason to buy it), he mentions that Zero recorded "If I Were A Rich Man" in only ONE take. Amazing. As is this CD.

Even if you are the most avid musical-hater, or a musical theater junkie like me, you will enjoy the classics like "If I Were A Rich Man", "Sunrise, Sunset" and "Tradition", while savoring songs which they cut, like the histerical "When Messiah Comes".

All-in-all, a fabulous CD! Well worth the price.

******Also, make sure you see and listen to Zero Mostel in Stephen Sondheim's "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum." Either buy the movie or the cast recording! You'll be glad you did!

Once you have seen the film version of "Fiddler on the Roof," with its perfect cast, excellent performances and moving songs, any other recording of the show is bound to falter at least a little in comparison. Not even this recording of the original Broadway cast is exempt. Zero Mostel's... unique form of humor works well in some of the songs, most notably "To Life," and he is a decent Tevye. But other times, he just gets on your nerves, with his intentional (and annoying) bungling of the Yiddish phrases in "If I Were A Rich Man" and his just plain, to quote another reviewer, "braying" during the "Sabbath Prayer." Maria Karnilova, as Golde, does indeed have a very shrill voice, which doesn't help "Do I Love You," beautifully sung in the film but barely seviceable here. In the hands of such as these, you start to notice just how unremarkable Sheldon Harnick's lyrics and, to a lesser extent, Jerry Bock's music can be when in the wrong hands. In addition, the faster, bouncier orchestrations take away much of the power of the final mournful ballad "Anatevka."

And yet, as crazy as it sounds, this recording is somehow satisfying. I have no idea why, but I liked it. It makes no sense, but it happened. I enjoyed it, was barely moved by it, but enjoyed it. But when all is said and done, the film version wins hands down. Topol truly captures the essence of Tevye in a way not even Mostel can match, and the "heavier and deeper" orchestrations of the songs make them that much stronger, memorable and moving, (though there is still plenty of humor to be had). So, as legendary as this Broadway musical is, the film version is much better.

If only they had made a video recording of this wonderful, successful tour de force production, starring the legendary Zero Mostel, as Tevye the dairyman(you might know him as Max Bialystock in "The Producers" and also in "The Front"--a wondeful comedian and engaging actor). Everytime I hear this recording, I can SEE the performers singing, dancing and bickering in my imagination. This soundtrack definitely brings you into Anatevka, a peasant village in Russia. Tevye, a god fearing man with three young daughters he wants to marry off, is having real trouble deciding on the proper husbands for them because the young women prove perfectly capable of making the decision for themselves.

Not only are great, well-loved songs like "Tradition," "Matchmaker," "If I Were a Rich Man," and "Sunrise, Sunset," on this special "Broadway Deluxe Collector's Edition" album, but there are bonus songs and commentary from Sheldon Harnick, the lyicist for the numerous wonderful tunes. Definitely entertaining and educational! I really wish they had kept "When Messiah Comes," (the lyrics are hysterical!) "How Much Richer Could One Man Be?" (a beautiful song written for Perchik, a young student who courts Tevye's daughter, Hodel). Also, you must listen to Vladimir Spivakov's masterful violin interpretation of "If I Were a Rich Man"--it will bring tears to your eyes.

This is the original cast, and, in my opinion, the best! The singing, acting and music is top notch and everyone should listen to this. I guarantee that even if you aren't a big fan of musicals, you will come to love "Fiddler on the Roof" and even find yourself humming these popular songs for days after you have first heard the soundtrack!

Fiddler On The Roof is one of few Broadway productions that has truly stood the test of time. As I write this, yet another revival of the show is on Broadway. This original cast recording is a superb souvenir of the way the musical really should sound. Sure, some people may say that Zero Mostel was "braying" when he sang--but he wasn't playing an opera singer! He was playing a poor man without any real education--so where was the surprise that he didn't sound like Pavarotti? Zero and the rest of the cast did a wonderful job with this musical; and this CD proves it.

A great song depicting the very old fashioned life they lived is the opening number entitled "Tradition." Zero and the cast sing of how their lives are governed by tradition. With this song the characters tell the audience that although they may not understand why these traditions exist, these traditions provide the villagers with a structure for living life that they all can follow as peacefully as possible.

The CD has the songs of the musical in the order they are performed on the stage which is, of course, a tradition! (SMILE) The quality of the sound is excellent and there are several very touching songs to highlight this show about a Russian Jewish family at the turn of the last century. My personal favorite, a song that usually moves me to tears when I almost never cry, is "Sunrise, Sunset." In the song "Sunrise, Sunset," Zero Mostel and the others in the cast use a wedding as an opportunity to reflect on how fast time passes and how short our time on Earth actually is. The musical arrangement is very well done.

The closing number, "Anatevka," is especially powerful. When the villagers must leave their village of Anatevka to find other homes, presumably in the United States, they try to make the most of things with this song. They belittle the village that they actually cherish so much despite its problems; Zero remarks "Someone should have set a match to this place (Anatevka) years ago." The emotional pathos they face is underscored by the melancholy yet beautiful musical arrangement and the words to the song.

I highly recommend this CD for people who love listening to the original cast member versions of the classic Broadway plays and fans of Zero Mostel. Look also for Bert Convey as Hodel's husband to be. I only wish I had been there!

Having had some history as a performer in this production, I can't recommend this soundtrack highly enough. If you've seen the film version, the music will bring you back. And of course, Zero Mostel is the "star," and there's no question about it, and his renditions as "Teyve" actually lay the foundations for the ensemble to play to.

In this collection, we hear:

Tradition
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
If I were a Rich Man
Sabbath Prayer
To Life
Miracle of Miracles
Teyve's Dream

Sunrise, Sunset
Now I have Everything
Do You Love Me?
Far from the Home I Love
Anatevka

What more could you want? Just go out and get the film, right? Or wait for the local community theater to do a revival production of this wonderful story.

It warms the heart, it does, and I highly recommend it!!

As an actor and one who has played Tevye on stage, I can assure you that Zero Mostel, who originally created the role of Tevye on Broadway, does the best rendition of this character. In fact, I exclusively used THIS soundtrack to study for my own performances, and attempted to faithfully reproduce Mr. Mostel's inflections, singing style, etc. I have read other people's reviews here on Amazon regarding this soundtrack, and was frankly disappointed that people were criticizing Mr. Mostel's "braying" in some of the singing. One must keep in mind that Tevye is a poor dairy farmer, not an opera star. His voice is not expected to be perfect, nor should it be. The plain and sometimes brash singing style of Zero Mostel in his portrayal of Tevye is not only perfect, but true to the character itself. I still go into tears every time I hear this soundtrack. Topol does a very respectable job in the movie, but the movie tended to drag longer than it should have, and made Anatevka look like this wonderful story-book town, when in fact it was a very poor village in tzarist Russia. All in all, the movie was wonderful, and Topol and cast did it justice. But, NOTHING beats Zero Mostel and cast for authenticity. My only regret is that I never got to see him on the stage. If you are a true lover of Broadway, this CD is a MUST to have in your collection.

I want to say that I enjoyed about 70% of this CD, the other
30% is almost too quiet to be heard, If I wasn't already very
familiar with this music from listening to my record of the show, I wouldn't have known what was going on. What you can hear is very, very good. But, for instance, in the song Tradition, you can barely hear the female voices,so you don't hear about the mothers and the daughters. And in the song Matchmaker you can only hear the words of 2 of the daughters. It makes me think that when they were recording this CD the microphones for the women artists weren't turned on.
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