A Little Night Music (1975 Original London Cast) [Cast Recording]

Stephen Sondheim, Hermione Gingold, Joss Ackland, A Little Night Music (Related Recordings), Jean Simmons, David Kernan, Diane Langton | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000002W7H
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,952 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Overture - Night Waltz

2. Now - Later - Soon

3. The Glamorous Life

4. Remember?

5. You Must Meet My Wife

6. Liaisons

7. In Praise of Women

8. Every Day a Little Death

9. A Weekend in the Country

10. The Sun Won't Set

11. It Would Have Been Wonderful

12. Perpetual Anticipation

13. Send in the Clowns

14. The Miller's Son

15. Finale - (Reprise of Send in the Clowns and Night Waltz) [Reprise of Se

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Delicious moments, December 8, 2000

By 

Brian Throckmorton (Lexington KY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Little Night Music (1975 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

I bought this CD because I wanted to avoid the hoarse croaking of Glynis Johns in the Broadway version. Jean Simmons's voice is a step up, though it is also obviously that of a woman who is past her prime. Like so many Desirees, she gets by on her acting. (She never quite gets the rhythms of the tra la la's in "Glamorous Life.") I found Joss Ackland to be a less virile Frederick than others I've heard, but his weakness suits the part, and is actually rather touching. The Anne is somewhat thin and shrill at times. I've always loved the character of Charlotte (including the original in the Bergman film, and Diana Rigg in the movie musical) but this Charlotte is my favorite -- so pungent and incisive. I bet you'll really enjoy the Henrik -- he does a wonderful thing with his voice at the end of "Later," a very expressive, neurasthenic vibrato that is the vocal equivalent of the cello he plays; what a great theater moment. Hermione Gingold's "Liaisons" is divinely frail and worldly, and the actress suffuses it with the attitude of someone who really is acquainted with the Old World aristocracy; though I also enjoyed the sturdiness and bite of Regina Resnik's performance in a different production, I think Hermione's is truer to the character. I find the diction on this recording to be superior -- which is important, given that Sondheim's lyrics are the real star. I would prefer a less-creaky Desiree and a creamier Anne, but this recording offers many delicious moments. (Wait until Anne sings "It's only polite that we should" and Charlotee intones "Good" -- what a magnificent syllable.)

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Definitive Recording", April 1, 2004

By 

Mr. Adam J. Barken (Montreal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Little Night Music (1975 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

Having finally listened to the Original Broadway Cast Recording of this masterpiece, my verdict's in and clear: the London Cast Recording is the definitive version.

The voices of the London Cast are, to a man (and woman) far superior -- this is most obvious when listening to the Quartet who open the show, and act as the chorus. The American artists, while excellent, simply can't compare to the power, range and tone of the Brits.

The arrangements are gorgeous, the choral work astounding, and the version of "The Miller's Son" found here will floor you. Not only the best recording of this particular show, but possibly the best recording of any Sondheim show available on CD -- Sweeney Todd is the only other contender, for my money.

The Orginal Cast Recording is great for a historical value. The British Cast is what you listen to when you want to hear the best show you'll never have the privilege of seeing. It's ruined me. But I'm not complaining.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Proper, British interpretation of a romantic show and score, July 20, 2000

By 

Sean "jjpeachum" (LOOK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Little Night Music (1975 Original London Cast) (Audio CD)

Okay, David Kernan may wimp out a little on his ending to "In Praise of Women," but oh, well. Joss Ackland is not as bad as people have made him out to be, it is just that he is an actor from the non-musical world -- but who says that you need Carusos to sing the role of Frederick? He is a fine actor and gives a fine interpretation of the role of the love-lorn lawyer. This Anne is a little whimpy sometimes, but isn't Anne herself a little whimpy? Jean Simmons is a divine Desirée, and Hermoine Gingold's rendition of "Liasons" has improved a great deal since she sang it on Broadway. Diane Langton (as Petra, the maid) gives a fabulous performance of "The Miller's Son," and the orchestra on this track seems to have more of a driving force behind it than it did on the OBCR (it simply has more oomph!). A great album to own, a close second to the 1990 studio cast recording available on Jay Records.