Chess (1988 Original Broadway Cast)

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Music reviews of Chess (1988 Original Broadway Cast)

Music Review: Now - There is No Reason to Buy This Recording!
Rating: 3 Stars

Now a new recording of Chess has been released. The 2001/2002 Complete Danish Cast Recording, which is sung in English. There are many reason's why I like it better than the London Cast. I won't even compare it with the Broadway version, because it's incomparable, due to the awful book of the Broadway version.

There are three big reasons why the Danish recording is superior to the London version. And for you Broadway fans, your great orchestrations are better here, and you also get "Someone Else's Story and a whole slew of songs that are not on the Broadway recording.

1: Orchestrations: The orchestrations on this recording are incredibly superior to those of the London Cast. That is the problem you run into with a "concept" recording. "Concept" recordings are never the final version to hit the stage, and seem like stripped down versions of the stage version. "One Night in Bangkok" is fierce on this recordings and the orchestrations (although subtile) make all the difference. "The Arbiter" is also so much more enjoyable here. "The Story of Chess" opens the show, where it makes much more sense than at the end. The orchestrations across the board are truly wonderful.

2: Completeness: You get so much more music in the new recording. About 50 minutes of new music that wasn't on the incomplete Concept. It follows the original London (stage) production, and has numbers such as "Someone Else's Story," "The Soviet Machine," "Der Kleine Franz," many other songs that are not on the London concept or Broadway cast. "The Soviet Machine" is entirely awesome. Such a showstopper. "Pity the Child" is also in the 1st Act, which makes much more sense than the 2nd Act. You also get the beautifully touching finale, which is very powerful - not on the London Concept. The story is so much easier to follow here, and truly shows what a great musical Chess is.

3. Cast - Believe it or not, I prefer this cast to the incredible London Cast. I'm not denying their brilliance, but there's no denying the brilliance on this new recording either. Although there are performers from five countries, the diction here is wonderful. Molokov (Simon Clark) has a very believable Russian accent, which makes all the difference. He is amazing in "The Soviet Machine." The two leading men are incredible, providing for a riveting "Pity the Child," by the American - Zubin Varla, who entirely blows Murray Head out of the water here. I never thought I would say that. You also get a gorgeous "Anthem." - by the Russian - Stig Rossen, which knocks you out. The two ladies are also wonderful. Emma Kershaw is impressive as Florence and gives a knock out performance throughout, but especially in her big numbers, such as "Heaven Help My Heart." She is triumphant in "Nobody's Side" which completely BLOWS the London Concept version out of the water. WOW! Gunilla Backman, as Svetlana, tears your heart out in "Someone Else's Story." The supporting cast is wonderful, and the choral numbers just rock.

...Chess lovers - especially those of the Superior London version - this new recording is a must.

Description of Chess (1988 Original Broadway Cast)

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