Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)
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Brand: PhantomComposer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Conductor: Michael Reed
Performer: Phantom of the Opera cast ensemble
Performer: Rosemary Ashe
Performer: Michael Crawford
Performer: Sarah Brightman
Performer: John Savident
Performer: David Firth
Performer: Steve Barton
Performer: Mary Millar
Edition: Music CD
Audio: Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Cast Recording
Published: 1990
CD Release Date: 1990-10-25
Music Label: Decca Broadway
Soundtracks:
- Overture
- Think Of Me
- Angel Of Music
- The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
- The Phantom Of The Opera
- The Music Of The Night
- Prima Donna
- All I Ask Of You/Reprise
- Entr'acte
- Masquerade
- Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
- The Point Of No Return
- Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer
Music reviews of Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)
Music Review: Simply the best!
Rating: 5 Stars
Andrew Lloyd Webber truly outdid himself with "The Phantom of the Opera". It is perhaps the best musical ever written, and certainly lives up to that moniker, for the music is lovely, memorable, and a close to a grand opera as any show I know of, echoing the bygone days of Victorian melodrama and theatrical spectacle. It is truly a show for the ages.
This particular CD is incredibly special and meaningful to me because I've been listening to it since I was a very small child. It is still just as magical today as it was then, and I've never once grown tired of it.
Just like it says, the Highlights CD contains all of the biggest numbers from the show, from "Think of Me" to "The Point Of No Return", performed by the original London cast, sans much the transitional dialogue and smaller numbers. I've grown up with this album, and though I enjoy hearing the entire show, which is available on the two-disc, libretto-included set, I prefer this one infinitely more, simply for the faster pace at which the show moves when it is merely the songs alone. Its nice to be able to listen to basically the whole show without having to change discs. It's a great investment for true "Phantom" fans, or someone just being introduced to the show. To me, it's worth the price alone for the fact that the version of "Music of the Night" is the early "single" version, released before the show opened, rather than the version used in the show. It has slightly different lyrics than the other versions recorded, and Michael Crawford gives his best performance ever in my opinion as the Phantom in this cut.
The moment the first track, "Overture", starts, I get chills up my spine. The sound quality is great, clear and crisp, with perfect reverberation, and when played on a good set of speakers (this even sounds great on a mediocre set of speakers) you feel like you're actually there live in the auditorium. Headphones just don't do it justice.
For those who have never listened to Andrew Lloyd Webber's score before, all of the songs are very good and definitely memorable; the cast is well-picked, and play out their parts exquisitely. The duets between the Phantom and Christine are probably the best, showcasing both Mr. Crawford and Ms. Brightman's amazing talents.
Michael Crawford, in my opinion, is the ONLY Phantom. He brings such mystery, tenderness, and compassion to the role, which in other hands could become a repulsive, coarse, and lifeless character. With his hypnotic and compelling voice, Crawford fits the role perfectly--to quote from the original book, he sings "as loud as thunder or as soft as angel's voices". Truly, there is not one sour note together that escapes from his throat. Whether he is singing the longing, romantic "Music of the Night", the stirring duet in "Point of No Return", or the heartbreaking "Final Lair" sequence, he scales each bar with an awe-inspiring ease. His way of taking on each song is natural and always pleasant to listen to, even in his loudest and most furious moments. Granted, his Phantom is much more romantic than in the original novel, but being a great fan of the book, I honestly prefer the ALW spin on the title character. After all, shouldn't the star of the show be at least somewhat appealing?
Sarah Brightman is also the perfect choice to play Christine. Her voice is sweet and youthful, but not presumptuous. She brings the sense of innocence and naivety that is needed for the part while still handling the eventual evolution into womanhood that Christine experiences towards the end of the show. Brightman has a beautiful soprano voice that reaches the high notes with an almost inhuman grace and strength. Like Crawford, she pours plenty of emotion into her performance, making every track to which she lends her voice shine. My only complaint is that in the sound mixing for this album, every time she reaches and letter "S" in a song, the sound reverberates sharply in a sort of vocal hiss, and makes headphone-listening a little painful.
That aside, this is an amazing CD, and one which is worth investing in for your permanent collection.
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Description of Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)
No Description AvailableNo Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Title: ORIGINAL CAST
Street Release Date: 10/10/1988
Genre: CAST RECORDINGS
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