Customer Reviews

Yentl (1983 Film)

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like the film of the same name, the YENTL soundtrack is a massive success for Barbra Streisand, both personally and professionally. This was her dream project, and she was determined to make every aspect of YENTL come alive with class and brilliance. Composer Michael Legrand is an unrecognized genius, and his score is both complex and inviting. Alan and Marilyn Bergman have penned the lyrics to many of Streisand's best-loved recordings, but they really outdo themselves here. Their words and Legrand's music complement each other perfectly, and their collaboration is largely the reason the album is as consistent and as cohesive as it is.

However, the main factor to YENTL'S artistic success is the phenomenal vocal performance of Barbra Streisand. This album was recorded twenty years after her official studio debut, and she has never sounded better than she does here. Whether the tone of the song is anguished ("Where Is It Written," "Tomorrow Night"), euphoric ("This Is One Of Those Moments"), or incredibly sensual ("The Way He Makes Me Feel"), Streisand's hushed restraint and dramatic range are nothing short of incredible. Her phrasing is put to excellent use in "Will Someone Ever Look At Me That Way" and the three renditions of "No Wonder" (each with different lyrics and a different meaning), while both "No Matter What Happens" and "A Piece Of Sky" are terrific showcases for Streisand's astonishing vocal prowess.

YENTL also marks the first appearance a "Papa, Can You Hear Me," which instantly became one of Streisand's signature songs due largely to her intensely soulful performance. A Top Ten, Platinum-selling album, YENTL is a recording that is very close to the heart of many Streisand fans. It is a project that Streisand believed in with all her soul, and both the film and it's soundtrack remain near the top of the list of the best things she's ever done.

It's rare that the music from a show can stay with a listener for years, but as so many other reviewers attested to, this one does. Yentl is a gorgeous story - see the film! - and surprisingly, one of the last great musical films of the 20th Century. It's amazing to me that no one remarked that this was a musical, because that's how I was first introduced to it. And yet, the music and Streisand's heartfelt delivery go beyond the usual trappings of the musical genre. This is such emotional stuff, spiritual stuff, enlightening, passionate, thought-provoking, meaningful material. It is so well done, and you don't have to be a Streisand fan to marvel at her brilliance on this project. Truly, a work of art! It moved me in the 80s, and it STILL moves me today. Truly enduring and exquisite entertainment.

Yentl is a wonderful soundtrack. This is a movie Barbra wanted to do for so long, and she finally did in 1983. Not to sound clicheish, but the music featured on this soundtrack IS timeless. So many great songs here, sung with all the passion and emotion Barbra can deliver. Whenever I hear A Piece of Sky or Papa Can You Hear Me, there is a lump in my throat. It is so beautiful to hear. Another favorite on this album is The Way He Makes Me Feel, such a beautiful song that demonstrates the emotional tapestry of a relationship, complete with butterflies and shivers. Overall, Yentl is a must have for any Barbra fan, you must have this in your collection. It is some of the most compelling work she has ever done.

Only Barbara can sing these songs with the exact right emotion and timbre. She is the muse for this piece, it's her heart and soul. I'm sorry, but Charlotte Church can't shine Barbara Streisand's shoes.

It is difficult to express what I felt the first time I listened to this album. I was 17 at home with my mother and she wanted to watched the broadcast of "The Concert" on the BBC. I didn't know who Streisand was and was "obliged" to watch the show. Well that's how the story began...lol... I was amazed by what I saw. So I wanted more. The song that impressed me the most was her rendition of "A Piece of Sky". And you know what ? My mother had only one album "Yentl" with my favorite song !!! The voice of Barbra and the music are pure genius you are in heaven !!!!! Michel Legrand did his best for this soundtrack. If you love great music and a real interpretation of songs go for it you really won't be disappointed. It is truelly unbelievable !! Plus I think we all have particular relations with our parents and I think that the songs the theme of it really express that (depends of your life what you experienced in life) we all want to be loved/supported by our parents for the human being we are trying to be along our childhood and teenage years but without repeating all what they did finding our own way our own life !!! It is all about parents/child relations. Becoming a grown up. But I may be wrong. Anyway want some chills over your spine ??? U know how to do...

It's very simple: Barbra had a dream, she had her vision of Yentl. She wanted to do it with passion.
This is Barbra at her best, defying social conventions through simple yet poignant lyrics. She made what seemed impossible, and became all the greater because of it.
Nothing's impossible, remember!

I love this soundtrack! I think you kinda have to see the movie to fully enjoy the album though. It is a wonderful unique film and Barbara Streisand did a wonderful job with the soundtrack music! I just bought this and the album is like 19 years old but still timeless music! Buy it...rent the movie! If you love Streisand you'll be happy with it!

To truly hear the sheer power and artistry of a born vocalist is to hear Barbra Streisand sing the truly gorgeous score from her masterpiece "Yentl".

We all know the story of Barbra's journey to make this film, so my objective here is to simply point out that her voice is truly at it's peak. Filled with fiery passion, it is as if her heart is singing and Streisand herself is simply a vessel for this "voice" to sing through. Having only seen the film three times, I notice that I listen to the CD on a regular basis. More than any other by Streisand. I know the score back to front and I still get the classic "Streisand Tingles" beginning with "Papa Can You Hear Me?" to "A Piece Of Sky". Speaking of "A Piece Of Sky"...This may stand as a Time Capsule to be cherished and remembered as one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever put to a microphone. Up there with Barbra's version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Memory".

This 1983 film soundtrack features Barbra at her most expressive and intelligent.

The story finds Barbra's character disguising herself as a man to further her education in order to honour the memory of her father. This leads to a series of situations, both comic and sad, including a near-marriage.

Michel Legrand's music is based heavily on a string section, which gives it a heady mix of delicacy and drama. The Bergmans' lyrics propel the story along smoothly.

On top of this then, comes Barbra. The project was very personal to Barbra, and she clearly puts her everything into this soundtrack. Each song is infused with the right amount of drama, climaxing on tracks such as Tomorrow Night and A Piece Of Sky. On the latter track, there is also one of the famous Barbra twenty-second notes.

Not a lot of dialogue is included, which is probably just as well, as it does sound as if it was recorded in a barn.

This is quite possibly one of the best Barbra albums of the 1980s, although the studio versions at the end are perhaps unnecessary.

If you love Barbra, then you probably already have this album. If you love theatre, then do not pass this gorgeous (film) album by.

When i first heard about 'Yentl', it was in the context of a joke, and i rememeber thinking 'what kind of nut calls a film Yentl?' the whole thing just seemed preposterous.
Then after studying film (particulary cinematic politicts) i was referred to Streisand as a good starting point for powerful hollywood femenists. When i began to break her career down i was astonished at the breath and scope of her achievements. Later I was given a Streisand CD by a friend and realised she was possibly the finest female voice of the 20th century, and began to ask myself why i hadnt noticed her for so many years.
The first viewing of 'Yentl' came next. I was astonished by its technical mastery and especially its complex music. The soundtrack followed soon after.

This is a tremendous work. Legrands compositions resonate the emotional disonance of Shostakovich, juxtaposed with the aching poetry of the Bergmans lyrics. Streisands vocal is simply tremendous, her phrasing and intonation resonate an unparalled understanding of her craft. 'Where is it written' and 'Piece of sky' are arguably Streisands finest vocal performances.

Pointlessly derided, massively under-rated and poorly mixed on the current cd format; neverthless this remains an essential work of art that will only gain in momentum with age.
It seems Streisand's celebrity still stands in the way of many people accessing her extraordinary body of work.