Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording [Cast Recording]

Claude-Michel Schoenberg (Composer), Martin Koch (Conductor), Philharmonia Pit Orchestra (Orchestra), Michael Ball (Performer), Don Gallagher (Performer), Martin Smith (Performer), Bruce Winant (Performer), Deirdre Forrest (Performer), Ric Herbert (Performer), Philip Quast (Performer), William Solo (Performer), Gay Soper (Performer), Beverly Klein (Performer), Jackie Marks (Performer), Kay Cole (Performer), Glyn Kerslake (Performer), Laura Hamilton (Performer), Kaho Shimada (Performer), Anthony Warlow (Performer), Reece Holland (Performer), Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 1, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Red Ink
• ASIN: B0002E5L62
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,698 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Prologue

2. Valjean's Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)

3. At the End of the Day

4. I Dreamed a Dream

5. Lovely Ladies

6. Fantine's Arrest

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Eponine's Errand

2. ABC Cafe/Red and Black

3. Do You Hear the People Sing?

4. Rue Plumet-In My Life

5. Heart Full of Love

6. Attack on Rue Plumet

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables

2. Every Day (Marius and Cosette)

3. Valjean's Confession

4. Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast

5. Epilogue (Finale)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The GREATEST MUSICAL of ALL TIME!, August 2, 2007

By 

Gregory E. Foster "operabruin" (Portland, ME, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording (Audio CD)

I first became acquainted with this wonderful work before it was known of here in the USA through a copy I had ordered from England. Then, with the US Broadway production, the OBC release was added to my collection. Then, this one, and later, the dream cast version, and then the 10th anniversary edition. So, I have listened to a "few" versions of the work. I love them all. I love this one, perhaps, the most. I am heavily into opera and classical music, so I guess it is sort of natural that I would be drawn to the presentation of this great work with a complete orchestra behind it.

I feel that it is necessary, however, to own three versions of this wonderful musical play. First, the Original, London production. Second, the Original Broadway Edition, and lastly, This, the Symphonic Edition. They all three have their place, and, indeed, are all different, each begging for space on your shelves for very good reason.

If you are a purist, and can only have one, then, it must be the Original London Cast...period, end of discussion. But, if you are like me, and require different interpretations, etc., you will simply fall in love with all three of these recommended recordings.

When I state above that this is the greatest musical piece of theater ever, I certainly do, truly, believe this. Of all the dozens of plays I have seen on Broadway, of the hundreds I have listened to on LP and disc, watched on tape, LaserDics, and DVD, etc., NOTHING has EVER reached the Stratospheric Heights of this work. The only possible exception would be "Man of LaMancha" with Alan Jones, waaaay back, when I was a young man. It was my first Broadway Show, and this may be why I hold it so highly in my heart. (Everything gets held up to it for comparison, and most do not make the cut!)

Again, I urge you to add this recording to your collection...you will love it dearly. ~operabruin

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag, February 19, 2009

By 

M. Rebus (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording (Audio CD)

The most obvious reason to get the Symphonic Recording is to have the entire show on CD. This album is really for the most devoted Les Mis junkies. I particularly like Javert's Intervention, which acts as an introduction to my favorite song, Stars. Aside from the completeness of the album, there are two other highlights for me. One is Anthony Warlow, who is the best singer to play Enjolras. Maguire's Enjolras is also stirring, but Warlow is more talented. The second highlight is the Orchestra. It probably has the best orchestra out of all four recordings, although the tenth anniversary concert comes close.

Now onto the rest of the cast. This is Philip Quast's first recording, and he is superior to Terrence Mann and Roger Allam. He would only get better on the Tenth Anniversary Concert. Michael Ball gives another respectable performance as Marius. Then why am I only giving this three stars? Aside from the cast members just mentioned, the rest of the cast is inferior to their counterparts on the other three albums. Gary Morris isn't a very good Jean Valjean, and Kaho Shimada is the worst Eponine. As others have pointed out, she is not singing in her native language so her performance is nothing special. She memorized her lines phonetically. I would like to hear her sing in Japanese. But Gay Soper as Madam Thenardier is truly terrible. I can't stand her. Her one line in Javert's intervention makes me cringe. Thenardier over does it sometimes but he's more tolerable than his wife. I don't particularly care for Debbie Byrne on this album, she sounds like she has a frog in her throat at times. Tracy Shayne's Cosette is OK, but nothing compared to Judy Khun or Rebecca Caine.

Overall I consider this album to be a good supplement to the Tenth Anniversary Concert, to fill in the gaps so to speak. This is not the quintessential Les Miserables album by any means though.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Tribute to the Greatest Musical of All Time, December 24, 2005

By 

Muscial Man "Joe" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording (Audio CD)

I love this recording of my all-time favorite musical. The orchestra really makes this recording soar, as I saw the show on tour with a smaller one. The entire recording, for the most part, sounds terrific. Gary Morris is not my favorite Valjean, but he makes "Bring Him Home" his own in a wonderful way. Philip Quast is unbeatable as Javert, as are Michael Ball and Anthony Warlow in their roles as Marius and Enjorlas (Michael Ball is so my hero!!!). My only complaint with this recording is the version of "A Little Fall of Rain". Eponine's voice, which is awesome throughout the whole recording, is AWFUL during this song, and it really ruins the song. Other than that, a wonderful recording!