The Frogs / Evening Primrose (2001 Studio Cast) [Cast Recording]

Stephen Sondheim (Artist), Nathan Lane (Artist), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B00005OM6W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #79,356 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Fanfare

2. Prologos: Invocation and Instructions to the Audience

3. Traveling Music

4. Parados: The Frogs

5. Hymnos: Evoe!

6. Dialogue: "Pluto!"

7. Parabasis: It's Only a Play

8. Dialogue: "That Was Some Banquet!"

9. Evoe for the Dead

10. Invocation to the Muses

11. Fear No More

12. Exodos: The Sound of Poets

13. If You Can Find Me, I'm Here

14. I Remember

15. When?

16. Take Me to the World

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Original Cast Recordings
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 16-OCT-2001

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A curious pickle, February 10, 2002

By 

M. Board "sheepisher" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Frogs / Evening Primrose (2001 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)

I know and adore the Aristophanes play and am a huge fan of Sondheim. Overall, I would definitely recommend buying this recording if you're a fan of either writer!

For the Sondheim buffs, this is a fantastic opportunity to get hold of two rather obscure Sondheim scores on CD - though there are pros and cons, I might just warn you.

"The Frogs" (written sometime in the 70's) is mostly brilliant - not his most intricate work perhaps, but the frogs' chorus (about as far as you can get from McCartney!) is an INSPIRED rendering of frogsong, the "Hymnos: Evoe!" is a beautiful choral ode, and Nathan Lane turns in an admirable comic turn as a very put-upon Dionysus in "Instructions to the Audience". I agree with other reviewers that "Fear No More" falls a bit flat - a pity especially because it's set to one of Shakespeare's best songs. Perhaps evidence that Sondheim is more at home composing through-and-through, rather than to someone else's lyrics?

"Evening Primrose" is a tricky one. This is Sondheim at an early formative stage (I think - don't quote me on this - this was between 'Forum' and 'Anyone Can Whistle') and he has yet to develop the soaring, powerful melodies that he conjures up in, say, "Sweeney Todd" or "Sunday in the Park". Personally I think it lacks spark but some people like the quieter numbers. Apparently there's a recording by Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters - haven't heard it, but I can quite confidently say it's probably better as the male performer here seems to lack any enthusiasm.

On the whole, however, I would urge purchase for "The Frogs" alone, since you won't find that score anywhere else and it's definitely worth it. You can't fault the choir and it contains some excellent writing by Sondheim. Go on! Treat yourself.

"Koooooo ... ax!"

(Buy the CD and you'll get it ...)

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Thing., February 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Frogs / Evening Primrose (2001 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)

>The Patinkin-Peters version of "Evening Primrose" is in Patinkin's "Dress Casual" CD, the studio recording that became the basis of his Broadway concert. I believe this was the first time all four songs were recorded.

Possibly, but on THIS disc we have the first time all four songs were recorded UNDER SONDHEIM'S SUPERVISION, and that makes all the difference in the world. Mandy Patimkin greatly distorts "If You Can Find Me"'s melody; Bernadette Peters's voice is under the accompaniment on "I Remember", and the arrangements on "Dress Casual" are over-elaborate, gooey, and unrestrained. Neither singer effectively plays his character. No, the "Evening Primrose" you want is right here.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique and interesting, December 11, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Frogs / Evening Primrose (2001 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw The Frogs years ago in Chicago. The Pegasus Players mounted a production in a swimming pool at a local college. The production, with swimming singers and floating stages,was fascinating but hard to understand. It is a treat to be able to listen to these talented performers bring it to life on the CD and yes, the packaging is great. It's nice to be able to truly appreciate the lyrics by seeing them as well as hearing them. Nathan Lane is funny and over the top as always and the chorus is excellent. I think Fear No More is TERRIBLE, however. There's so much breathy, enormous vibrato going on that you can't even understand what he is saying!
I had no prior knowledge of Evening Primrose and enjoy this music, too. Another reviewer used the word "haunting" and I would agree. I would like to see this video to better appreciate it.
Overall, a very interesting CD and one that I find myself listening to repeatedly.