Customer Reviews

The Sound of Music (35th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was impressed with the sound and soundtrack order of the previous 30th Anniversary edition, which so improved the original CD issue. This new double 35th Anniversary edition puts most of the icing on the cake. It does make a lot of corrections, but does not completely fill a few minor voids. There are millions of people who have seen this movie soooooo many times on the screen, TV, wore out a couple of vinyl copies, etc. We know this soundtrack backwards, forwards, in our sleep, and even the macho-est of men I've heard humming My Favorite Things. This CD adds the missing original issues that were heard with the on-screen film, and only previously available via Laser Disc, or on Fox Cassette if you bought that version of the re-release on video. I have this tape, and have compared Disc 2 to it. Disc 1 is still the soundtrack that was issued for the 30th. Disc 2 uses most of the tracks from the tape and laser version. Per my tape, this new disc has omitted the DO-RE-MI REPRISE during the Folk Festival (what I affectionately call the "TEA WITH JAM & BREAD MIX"), plus some instrumental music. It is nice to have what they added. However, what is also missing is the Grand Finale to Act 1 of the film and just prior when the Baroness is looking for the Captain after she has left Maria in her room. When she is searching for the Captain before going into the Grand Ballroom and meets up with Max, the background music is playing a waltzy version of the omitted HOW CAN LOVE SURVIVE, that was in the stage show. After her conversation, she finds the Captain and the Edelweiss waltz plays while Maria sneaks away to that grand orchestral finish of Act 1. I would assume that in the future, probably on the 50th Anniversary, there will be a complete soundtrack issued including all these other missing gems. I could have probably lived without the Richard Rodgers interview added, but this could have been added as a bonus disc for initial release, then removed later leaving all the music to tell the story. Regardless of these detailed flaws, this is still a very priceless collection of 97% of all the soundtrack. From the first time I heard it in the theatre in 1967, Irwin Kostal's conducting and the final result has stayed with me all these years. It is truly magical, can put you in a good mood and will always remain a stand-out part of our film history. I highly recommend this issue.

This brand-new 35th Anniversary Edition of the classic 1965 film soundtrack features two discs in beautiful packaging. (Okay, the purple coloring on the discs is a bit much)... the CD booklet is filled with pictures and is wonderful. Disc 2 features extended versions of several songs and many tracks (mostly orchestral) not included on the 1965 soundtrack, and an interview with Richard Rodgers. What is the enchantment of "Sound Of Music??" Maybe it's because the film and myself both turn 35 this year, but it really has a lot to do with Julie Andrews as Maria. Like another customer wrote, I always think of Julie Andrews, and not Broadway's Mary Martin, as Maria. Also, Andrews' devastating 1997 operation that left her without a singing voice, adds a note of sadness to this recording (as well as Andrews' classic Broadway performances in MY FAIR LADY and CAMELOT) as we recognize what has been lost. I recently saw a disappointing stage production of "Sound Of Music" and returned to the film and this soundtrack with a sense of refreshment, renewal, and even inspiration.

I remember once "advising" beginners to shy off this version not because of performace quality, which is just perfect, but because of presentation of the music material. However, because of listening to the soundtrack a little bit more often. I feel as if Ihave changed my views more positively. Of course, we still have Julie Andrews and her crystalline voice, but we also have sparkling children, a convincing Captain and a soul-stirring Mother Abbess taking their place on the album just as they have been always doing, alongside the towering Irwin Kostal orchestrations and arrangements. This edition does indeed put most of the icing on the cake with the clear, sparkling remastering and the tantalising bonus material available for us to have forever. At long last, we have the additional appearance of Edelweiss after the Lonely Goatherd puppet sequence (and an extended version of its folk festival reappearance - the only rendition of the song used on the original soundtrack), the Landler, the Salzburg Montage harnessed to an extended My Favourite Things, the second-act reprise of Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and the complete chase music, all sounding remarkably vivid after 35 years in the Fox vaults, enough to make you recall the scenes in the movie so vividly. The only things I can carp about are the slightly murky sound quality during certain moments on the first disc, the obvious lack of completeness (as always) and the value of the set.

The murky sound quality on certain parts of certain tracks of the first disc does not bother one at all, because they don't affect the parts of the soundtrack you are supposed to be enjoying. However, once you get down to listening to the remastered soundtrack, it will be easy to notice the pristine sound that improves this issue over the others. (The fact about pristine sound also applies to the second disc.) However, once you get over with this problem, there are still more serious qualms. This release is obviously not really ABSOLUTELY complete, as ttere are some missing musical segments (the Act One finale waltzes based on Edelweiss and the deleted song How Can Love Survive, the Entr'acte, the children's dejected-sounding reprise of My Favourite Things with Maria making it better half-way through by joining in, and the folk festival reprises of Do-Re-Mi and So Long, Farewell.) In addition, the original versions of the Overture and the Preludium prayer sequence are not included, as they seem to sound better and more complete when separated rather than when allowed to seague into each other as in the original soundtrack, along with the complete wedding sequence, also not included here. Also, the price is quite expensive, as it's clear that record companies keep reissuing and improving certain albums such as this by adding previously unreleased music until they are perfect and complete - all at the consumer's expense. Once that's said and done, you can easily get down to enjoying this classic soundtrack in the splendour of a sparkling new digital remastering and new video transfers of this classic film.

To sum everything up, I still can say I feel happy and satisfied with this new reissue of the soundtrack, even despite some minor quibbles and snags, but I feel as if I will not stop rallying until I see the ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE version released and made available. Perhaps the Richard Rodgers centennial celebrations next year will provide the right impetus for the R&H organisation to get 20th-Century Fox and RCA Victor to release and reissue the soundtrack in its original album and expanded versions COMPLETE on 2 CDs, with the original album taking up one disc (with all the outtakes as fillers) and the COMPLETE expanded edition taking up the other - all at a twofer bargain price. Still, I will be more than happy to recommend this soundtrack to the beginning purchaser, and it still makes a wonderful, if extravogant, way to acquire a classic in a sparkling and attractive new dress.

BTW, I would suggest checking out the new Broadway cast recording of the show and purchasing it along with this equally excellent version, as it presents a top-quality performance and is like a stage production in the spirit of the film, to give yourselves an alternate view and a more conceptual performance of the show.

My review on the standard one disc soundtrack of The Sound of Music is somewhere here. This is to comment on the 35th anniversary 2-disc set. The first disc is devouted to the original soundtrack album, with the second featuring extra music not on the original album. There are alternate, longer takes of several songs with extra music heard in the film but not the original album. Second, there are several songs not on the first album, such as the Captain and Liesl's first rendition of Edelweiss (my favorite version as compared to the reprise at the Festival), the ball music, the Laendler, the chase music, and the reprise of 16 Going on 17. Thirdly, Richard Rodgers' schpeel.

Alas, even this album is not really "complete." Missing is the complete wedding music along with the waltz at the close of the first act, the one based on the unused song, "How Can Love Survive," from the stage version. Missing as well is much of the Festival music and the children's own singing of "The Sound of Music" and "My Favorite Things." And I think the Richard Rodgers thing on the second disc is kind of unnecessary. The album is so wonderful, though, that you don't even think of completeness when you're enjoying this.

All in all, though, the 2 disc set (on the RCA Victor label) is well worth the purchase. Sound quality is exceptionally good on both discs, and neither disc is marred with extraneous sound effects such as extra dialogue, hand clapping and foot stomping that plague the "expanded" editions of Oklahoma, Carousel, The King and I, My Fair Lady, and West Side Story.

If issuing expanded soundtrack editions using music-only tracks is possible with this film, then it should also be easily accomplished with the others in the R&H canon if Angel Records (which controls Oklahoma, Carousel, and The King and I) cared enough to ask. After all, they were all released by the same studio, 20th Century Fox. RCA has done a superb job in expanding this soundtrack from music-only tracks and perhaps even better examples are had with Turner/Rhino, which issues restored and expanded soundtracks from the great M-G-M musicals.

Overall, well worth the purchase and highly recommended!

This is the best cd i own. I have loved the musical for years and finally acquired the cd. I listen to it every day- honest. If you are a fan of either Julie Andrews or the musical, this is the cd for you. It also contains all the beautiful instrumental portions of the musical. This is a very pick-me-up kind of cd simply because of the wonderful songs. It's WONDERFUL!

This CD has the musical numbers from the 1965 motion picture entitled The Sound Of Music. While this is not the latest version of the soundtrack CD with all the bells and whistles; this still remains a solid album giving us every last hit song from this major motion picture musical. The quality of the sound is clear and crisp; and that artwork is really very beautiful.

The CD begins with the music from the prelude and the overture to the movie musical. This music is delightful and they never miss! The strings and percussion are used to great advantage and we essentially get a musical medley of the arrangements for the major songs in the movie. Excellent! "Maria" is sung by several actresses playing nuns at the convent; they sing flawlessly about Maria, a nun who just doesn't fit in with the rest of the nuns. The melody is really very pretty and it all holds its own very well. Julie Andrews finally comes in on her number entitled "I Have Confidence." Julie Andrews' magnificent voice is rich, warm and very vibrant. Julie handles the tempo and key changes like the pro she always was and only Julie Andrews could have delivered this so well.

Charmian Carr and Dan Truhitte perform "Sixteen Going On Seventeen" with grace and style; this song highlights their young love and it's very well done. Neither one of them ever misses a note! "My Favorite Things" brings back Julie Andrews to do yet another smash-up flawless job on this excellent, very memorable number from this movie. Listen also for Julie Andrews to sing "D-Re-Mi" with the captain's children; this number really takes off when the children come in! The children also perform an astounding rendition of "The Sound Of Music."

"The Lonely Goatherd" has Julie Andrews again singing with the children; this charming number never ceases to delight me. The horn solo enhances the natural beauty of this number; and there's also "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" sung by the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood) at the convent when Maria (Julie Andrews) does decide to leave the convent.

The CD ends with two very stirring and emotional numbers: we get "Edelweiss" with Christopher Plummer, Julie Andrews and the children singing very well and the reprise of "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" is sure to please!

Rodgers and Hammerstein sure did their best on this one! They were practically infallible and this album proves it easily. I highly recommend this album for fans of this movie and people who enjoy show tunes will also want this album for their collections.

This 30th Anniversary edition of the soundtrack to the film version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is a significant improvement to the previous CD reissue. Julie Andrews is undoubtedly the star of the piece, enjoying herself in the role of Maria. She makes much of her songs by delivering excellent renditions. Christopher Plummer' s Captain Von Trapp, dubbed by Bill Lee, is adequate and convincing enough. Peggy Wood delivers a powerful rendition of "Climb Every Mountain." The supporting cast make excellent contributions, especially the sparkling children. This reissue improves upon its CD predecessor by correcting the distorted sound and the running order (which has been rearranged to better reflect the original film narrative.) The documentation is better and the colour photographs are better focussed. However, at 46 minuted, with no previously unreleased tracks, this is not generous. Considering this album to be the 30th anniversary edition, all the previously unreleased material should be included in this reissue. This material is only available in a special CD that comes with the film's 30th anniversary LD edition. Perhaps next year, the 35th anniversary of the film, RCA Victor might add the previously unreleased material to this album. Anyway, this is still part of the R&H discography.

Irwin Kostal's Academy Award winning orchestrations here are vivid and lush, but lack the intimate quality of the 1959 Broadway score. The film also omits two songs, "How Can Love Survive?" and "No Way To Stop It," which gave the Broadway Show a much more biting, political edge. And this RCA 30th Anniversary Soundtrack is still much too brief with 16 tracks. The Gold CD, which came with a laser-disc edition of the movie, has 29 tracks and runs about 75 minutes. Still, there's absolutely no denying the endearing (and enduring) appeal of Julie Andrews as Maria Von Trapp. Her performances of the title song and "I Have Confidence" are superb. It is the effortless efforvesence of Julie Andrews that makes this Soundtrack a Cherished Classic for All Time!

Actually this would rate five, however FOX home video issued a 30th anniversay laser disc set which included a 75 minute expanded completely remastered CD which is far better than RCA's release. RCA's release reflects the LP album from 1965. Why the great expanded release was not widely available is a mystery to me. But until it is this RCA version will do. One the the top selling LPs of all time, it seems everyone had a copy. Julie Andrews is at her best. However, Christopher Plummer, Peggy Wood and the children's chorus were all dubbed. Irwin Kostal's Oscar winning scoring is excellent, still I believe Alfred Newman, had he been available,would have done better. The Rodgers and Hammerstien score is generally not as sophisticated as thier previous efforts, but why complain. This is such a joy to listen to and it brings back great memories of seeing a wonderful movie on a giant theatre screen.

I was horrified when I was browsing the record store and saw how this supposedly complete disc was arranged. I have no doubt that it sounds fine, but under the circumstances, it is a waste of money and I refused to buy it.

The manufacturers have done nothing more on this "Sound of Music" re-release than add a second CD containing everything that had to be omitted from the LP and other CD versions of the film soundtrack album. RCA Victor, it seems, could not be bothered to start from the beginning and do the same beautiful job that Angel Records did with the enhanced editions of the "Oklahoma!", "Carousel", and "The King and I" soundtracks. The makers of those CD's saw to it that all the songs as well as the previously omitted material were all sequenced IN THE ORDER THAT THEY APPEARED IN THE FILM.

But, apparently, doing this is too much work for RCA Victor. Instead of giving us the pleasure of being able to listen to all the songs and music in its proper order, so that we can get the feeling that we are listening to the soundtrack as it ought to be heard and experienced, we have to sit through the soundtrack album exactly as it was issued for its previous incarnation, and then put on ANOTHER CD so that we can listen to the background music and other versions of the tracks heard on the first CD in the set.

This is just sloppy and insensitive thinking. Why would RCA release a soundtrack album of a beloved film in an edition like this, when Rhino, with its M-G-M soundtrack series, and Angel, with its enhanced editions of three Rodgers and Hammerstein musical films, have done such a superlative job on their soundtracks?

The answer, of course, is pure laziness. They have the most successful and beloved film musical on their hands, so RCA Victor assumes that listeners will automatically buy any version of it, no matter how it is issued.

Shame on them.

AN URGENT UPDATE: RCA has finally gone and done the right thing. Apparently, though I have not actually heard it, their 40th Anniversary Edition of the soundtrack, released in 2005, is everything that this previous edition should have been, with the additional tracks in their proper place, plus three interviews added as special filler material. So, I would advise you to choose that edition of the soundtrack rather than this one.