Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A curious pickle, February 11, 2002
I know and adore the Aristophanes play and am a huge fan of Sondheim. Overall, I would definitely recommend buying this recording if you're a fan of either writer!For the Sondheim buffs, this is a fantastic opportunity to get hold of two rather obscure Sondheim scores on CD - though there are pros and cons, I might just warn you. "The Frogs" (written sometime in the 70's) is mostly brilliant - not his most intricate work perhaps, but the frogs' chorus (about as far as you can get from McCartney!) is an INSPIRED rendering of frogsong, the "Hymnos: Evoe!" is a beautiful choral ode, and Nathan Lane turns in an admirable comic turn as a very put-upon Dionysus in "Instructions to the Audience". I agree with other reviewers that "Fear No More" falls a bit flat - a pity especially because it's set to one of Shakespeare's best songs. Perhaps evidence that Sondheim is more at home composing through-and-through, rather than to someone else's lyrics? "Evening Primrose" is a tricky one. This is Sondheim at an early formative stage (I think - don't quote me on this - this was between 'Forum' and 'Anyone Can Whistle') and he has yet to develop the soaring, powerful melodies that he conjures up in, say, "Sweeney Todd" or "Sunday in the Park". Personally I think it lacks spark but some people like the quieter numbers. Apparently there's a recording by Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters - haven't heard it, but I can quite confidently say it's probably better as the male performer here seems to lack any enthusiasm. On the whole, however, I would urge purchase for "The Frogs" alone, since you won't find that score anywhere else and it's definitely worth it. You can't fault the choir and it contains some excellent writing by Sondheim. Go on! Treat yourself. "Koooooo ... ax!" (Buy the CD and you'll get it ...)
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unique and interesting, December 11, 2001
By A Customer
I saw The Frogs years ago in Chicago. The Pegasus Players mounted a production in a swimming pool at a local college. The production, with swimming singers and floating stages,was fascinating but hard to understand. It is a treat to be able to listen to these talented performers bring it to life on the CD and yes, the packaging is great. It's nice to be able to truly appreciate the lyrics by seeing them as well as hearing them. Nathan Lane is funny and over the top as always and the chorus is excellent. I think Fear No More is TERRIBLE, however. There's so much breathy, enormous vibrato going on that you can't even understand what he is saying!
I had no prior knowledge of Evening Primrose and enjoy this music, too. Another reviewer used the word "haunting" and I would agree. I would like to see this video to better appreciate it.
Overall, a very interesting CD and one that I find myself listening to repeatedly.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful packaging, great FROGS, disappointing PRIMROSE, November 10, 2001
At last! Sondheim's unheard gem, recorded! And it is quite a treat. The score is humourous and touching, and you can see the direction he's heading with his choral writing (one more steps towards the choral work used in PACIFIC OVERTURES and SWEENEY TODD). The chorus here sings all of their material extremely well, singing with excellent diction and great tone. Nathan Lane is a very humourous Dionysus. (I dare you to not get the "Evoe" stuck in your head after one listen.) Brian Stokes Mitchell sings well, but methinks he is not a very strong comic, character actor. His talents are better suited when he can wrap his beautiful voice around a great song. "Fear No More" is a beautiful ballad, but barely survives Davis Gaines breathy performance of it. The score is a gem, and the only song that leaves me puzzled is the Parabisis, "It's Only a Play."That was the high-light of the album, and everyone who is "in the know" on all things Sondheim knows that that album had been recorded and sat in the studio for a year (which seemed longer) while the powers that be decided what to pair with it. I myself wish that they would have just recorded Sondheim's list of songs that he wishes he'd written, with the same soloists used at the Library of Congress concert done in his honor. What was decided on was EVENING PRIMROSE, and while this not a bad decision (because it is a WONDERFUL score), I feel that it could have been handled better. It sounds like the whole the was rushed, so that THE FROGS would be released quicker. The tempos are done at a very quick, uneasy pace. I love Neil Patrick Harris's voice, but it's a tenor voice, and this role calls for more of a dramatic baritone. Theresa McCarthy sings beautifully, but we are not allowed time to savor her performance with the brisk tempos. If you want to hear the *best* version of PRIMROSE, I place my money on the Liz Callaway-Gary Beach version on the SONDHEIM AT THE MOVIES album (Varese Sarabande), good tempos and excellent vocal performances. And, as is ALWAYS the case with anything Nonesuch releases, the packaging is beautifully done, enough to buy the album for that alone. This album is a must--but only for the true Sondheim fanatics.
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