Stephen Sondheim - Sondheim Tonight: Live From The Barbican Centre, London (1998 Concert Cast)

List Price: $38.98
Our Price: $25.42
You Save: $13.56 (35%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.89 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details

CD Details

Music reviews of Sondheim Tonight: Live From The Barbican Centre, London (1998 Concert Cast)

Music Review: Hardly ideal, but nice instrumentals
Rating: 3 Stars

The most enjoyable performance on this album comes from the musicians. The opening overture and the Act II Entr'acte, as well as a lovely arrangement of two songs from Pacific Overtures, are given a delightful treatment by the London Philharmonic. Two instrumental obscurities written by the young Sondheim, a violin sonata and a piano theme, are capably played in what I believe is their recorded debut.

And then. I personally can live with Dame Edna's twisted rendition of "Ladies who Lunch," but Michael Ball's tortured singing is a taste which I have not yet acquired (although he does provide one of several amusing anecdotes between songs). Most of the remaining performances are quite forgettable, and although there aren't any major clunkers as there were on the LA cast recording, there aren't any major redeeming performances either.

If you're a Sondheim fan, you've probably heard all these songs done better. It's a bit frightening that the most enjoyable parts of a Sondheim concert are the bits between the songs.

Description of Sondheim Tonight: Live From The Barbican Centre, London (1998 Concert Cast)

Broadway & Vocalists CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Soundtracks