Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"music of the night or any other time ~ The Choral Album", September 23, 2003
This review is from: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Choral Album (Audio CD)
Listening to this album will bring back moments from Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musicals. Silva America has released "The Choral Album", featuring some of the best cues from Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Cats, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoast, Tell Me On A Sunday, Jesus Christ Superstar, Requeim, Aspects of Love, Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard ~ everyone a WINNER! Believe this is an essential recording to enjoy now and in the following years. Sample the incredibly beautiful, unique, uplifting and warm performances from the Crouch End Festival Chorus with David Temple (choir master), The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Paul Bateman (conductor), with the London Stage featuring Lesley Garrett, Tito Beltran, Sharon Campbell and Mary Carewe. Also enjoy The City of Prague Philharmonic featuring Robin Stapleton (conductor) performing "PIE JESUS", from Requiem is one of the many highlights of this classic release. The love, sadness, desperation of musical compositions that leave a lasting impression. Once again, hats off to James Fitzpatrick (producer) ~ just keeps grinding out culture for all the music collectors of the world. Music that pops into your head even when you're not looking. There's a certain amount of receptiveness that Silva brings to the forefront. If you keep listening to this album, the more and more you love it. Each cue is a great piece of music to have in your collection, this time all Choral works. You'll be glad that you added this one to your ever growing vast collection...gotta love it! Total Time: 56:54 on 15 Tracks ~ Silva America 6036 ~ (9/23/2003)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A NEW FORM FOR ALW'S LASTING MELODIES, August 20, 2006
This review is from: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Choral Album (Audio CD)
Regardless of the fact that some of his latest efforts (most notably, The Woman in White) are disappointing, there can be little doubt that Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of the greatest composers ever to work in the musical theatre. Ever since his "Jesus Christ Superstar" hit the stage in the early 70-is, it was clear that the conception and perception of musicals are never going to be the same again. Many of his songs became standards not only in the theatre history, but also as tops on the charts. Even though he's British, his influence on the shape of the modern musical theatre expanded over the West End boundaries long ago and has thus made an enormous impact on Broadway. Two of his shows ("Cats" and "The phantom of the opera") hold the record as two the longest running shows in the history of both Broadway and the West End. He has also been the only composer to have three of his shows running at Broadway concurrently. Some of his awards include three Grammies, a Golden Globe, an Oscar and a bunch of Tony awards. But perhaps most of all, Lloyd Webber is responsible for bringing the musicals and the theatre appealing to the wide audiences, who in different circumstances would not consider seeing a musical. The secret of his success is probably the mixture of beautiful and catchy melodies, interesting subject matter (though some, like Starlight Express, are too thin) and grandiose staging. Not many contemporary musical theatre composers could claim such success, let alone a steady fan base.
Through the years not only have numerous compilations of his music been issued, but also more than one orchestra played his well known numbers in form of instrumental pieces. This album represents yet another attempt to spread the artistic boundaries of ALW's work, this time, through the beauty of the choral singing, backed by the impeccable sound of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As this CD shows, the result is wonderful. The melodies blend with the soaring voices of the male, female and mixed choirs to make a deep and a profound impact on one's ears. What comes as an interesting fact is that some of the songs include solo parts, sung by the artists from both the opera and musical theatre world, which also emphasises the meaning of ALW's music in bringing these borders seem a lot closer.
The Royal Philharmonics Orchestra makes all these familiar melodies to sound fresh and lush, while the richness of the choir voices seems to match the fine texture of ALW's music. But to be totally frank, when one has as its material such fine gems as `The phantom of the opera', `Don't cry for me Argentina', `With one look', `Memory' or `Love changes everything', one needs not to overdo it with praise: the way these tunes are appreciated by so many people all over the world for so long is the best of recommendations. This album proves another important point: art can take many forms without loosing its original appeal.
No matter if you are an ALW fan or simply have a thing for a good choral tune; in both cases, this album is for you.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spectacular, March 8, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Choral Album (Audio CD)
I have owned this CD for about a month now - having bought it from Amazon for a birthday gift for someone else, and subsequently purchasing it for myself. It absolutely sweeps you away. All of the music is just breathtaking.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
