Candide: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997 Revival) [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Additional lyrics by John LaTouche.

Candide: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997 Revival), Music, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Wilbur, Musical, Original Cast Recordings, Pop, Showtunes / B'way

Average customer rating:

My least favourite version

CAN ONE HAVE TOO MANY VERSIONS OF BERNSTEIN'S BROADWAY MASTERPIECE? . . . .

Give me the original

a glittering new cast album of Leonard Bernstein's jewel

It's no Bernstein

Candide: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997 Revival)

Manufacturer: RCA Victor Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Revivals | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Candide (1956 Original Broadway Cast)

Leonard Bernstein's Candide (Great Performances)

Candide (1974 Broadway Revival Cast)

Parade (1998 Original Broadway Cast)

Candide (1999 Royal National Theatre Cast)

ASIN: B000003GA7
Release Date: 1997-07-29

Tracks:

Overture
The Best Of All Possible Worlds
Oh, Happy We
It Must Be So
Paris Waltz
Glitter And Be Gay
You Were Dead, You Know
My Love
I'm Easily Assimilated
Finale (Quartet) (The New World)
Quiet
Eldorado
Bon Voyage
What's The Use?
Venice Gavotte
Make Our Garden Grow
Overture To 'Candide' (Alternate Version)
Eldorado - New Broadway Cast Recording
Sheep Song - New Broadway Cast Recording
The Governor's Waltz - New Broadway Cast Recording
Bon Voyage - New Broadway Cast Recording
Quiet - New Broadway Cast Recording
What's The Use - New Broadway Cast Recording
Make Our Garden Grow - New Broadway Cast Recording

Album Description

Additional lyrics by John LaTouche.

Customer Reviews:

My least favourite version.......2006-11-28

It simply tries too hard to be hip and smart and funny, and as a result it's none of them. Musically, it manages to make the score sound flat and almost dull.

Avoid this one. There are far better ones available. This one simply misses the mark.

CAN ONE HAVE TOO MANY VERSIONS OF BERNSTEIN'S BROADWAY MASTERPIECE? . . . . .......2006-07-23

I wouldn't part with the Original (1957) Broadway cast recording for anything, especially because of Robert Rounseville's Candide and Barbara Cook's stunning Cunegonde. But that's not to say one shouldn't own this 1997 revival recording as well. Fans of the show know there are at least four different incarnations of CANDIDE, including Bernstein's final revision in 1989, and what's wrong with having all of them?

The first revision was the celebrated "Chelsea version" of 1974, with a new book by Hugh Wheeler and some new (and some revised) lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The actor playing Dr. Pangloss also plays Voltaire, the Governor, the Host, and the Sage. A new opening number, "Life Is Happiness Indeed," ". . . comically [establishes] the central characters' innocence and naivete." The parts of Maximillian and Paquette have been expanded, and it is not Cunegonde, but Maximillian (in drag) who sings "My Love" with the lecherous Governor. "Quiet" is out and "Sheep's Song" is in. Also deleted are "Words, Words, Words," "Money, Money, Money," "We Are Women," and "Nothing More Than This." (For a more complete version, check out the Scottish Opera version, the 1999 Royal National Cast version, or Bernstein's "final revised edition" of 1989.)

In this 1997 revival, The Old Lady (a wonderful characterization by Andrea Martin) cleverly insinuates herself into the plot, early in act one, informing Pangloss (and the audience) of her central role in the proceedings. It also includes considerable narration, by the author Voltaire, to move the plot along.

What about the singers? Jim Dale is truly fine in his multiple roles and Jason Danieley sings the socks off Candide's songs. Very exciting performance. Harolyn Blackwell has a gorgeous voice (see Byron Kolln's review), but her tone quality is a little heavy for my taste, making her Cunegonde sound more worldly than Barbara Cook's. Even though she's been repeatedly raped and has become the mistress to both the Grand Inquisitor and The Rich Jew, Cook's Cunegonde remains a virgin to the very end. Stacey Logan is a perky Paquette, and Brent Barrett is a wonderfully-vain Maximilian.

[...]

If you're a CANDIDE junkie, then you need to own this recording, as well as the "original" original cast. I also own the Musical Heritage Society's highlights from the 1988 Scottish Opera, which I find lifeless and dull. It was recorded during rehearals for the production, which makes me believe it is NOT to be compared to the "complete" recording (That's Entertainment) that John Kendrick admires.

But as I said before: Can one have too many versions of Bernstein's Broadway masterpiece? I think not.

Give me the original.......2004-04-15

I liked this CD. It was really nice to hear the full score for the first time. The performances are wonderful, especially Andrea Martin who's delightful to watch onstage (I saw her in Oklahoma!). But my complaint lies in the lyrics. I dislike the new lyrics for The Best of All Possible Worlds, a song I find essential to the show and the new lyrics I feel don't mesh as well with the show.

Barbara Cook and Robert Rounseville are much better on the original recording, which is now re-released and is phenomenal, finally the best Candide Recording. Buy the original, it's cheaper and better. If not for any other reason than for "Glitter and be Gay" which got a 2 minute standing ovation on opening night, December 1, 1956. That night, the Overture, lauded as one of the best ever, also received a 2 minute standing ovation.

The book to Candide may have it's major flaws (and it does), but you can't say anytihng about the score. It's one of Bernstein's best, and definitely one of the best in Musical Theatre History.

a glittering new cast album of Leonard Bernstein's jewel.......2003-10-22

CANDIDE is Leonard Bernstein's masterpiece. Based on the play by Voltaire, the operetta-flavored score is simply delicious, full of great pieces including the showstopping aria "Glitter and Be Gay".

The 1997 Broadway revival succeded in introducing a whole new generation to the musical. It featured a cast including Jim Dale (BARNUM) as Dr Pangloss, Andrea Martin (GYPSY) as the Old Lady with One Buttock, Jason Danieley as Candide, Stacey Logan (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) as Paquette and Harolyn Blackwell as Cunegonde.

Harolyn Blackwell indeed has a thrilling soprano voice, and sings the devilish 'jewel song' aria "Glitter and Be Gay" with confidence and panache, but I feel she over-plays the comedy and makes the song less stylish. Barbara Cook (on the original Broadway cast album) is still considered to be the definitive Cunegonde.

Andrea Martin spins gold with "I Am Easily-Assimilated", and Jim Dale is humorous and caustic in his performance. Jason Danieley has a lovely voice which he puts to good use in his choice numbers as Candide.

All-in-all, a worthy recording but if you want the definitive Cunegonde of Barbara Cook, stick to the original Broadway cast album.

It's no Bernstein.......2002-07-27

Compared to the Deustche Grammphone 1989 version, I think one could be robbed if they bought this from the final musical version conducted by the composer shortly before his passing. The book, albeit, does make better sense in this new cast recording, however, the listener isn't able to hear some of the wonderful tunes on the earlier version. I know, for the sakes of the masses, that the producers intended to condense the opera to a more time-friendly musical, but when you're investing in the music, you're better off purchasing the other than this recording.

Having said all of this the "original" 1970s versions are just bad and to be avoided along with the one from 1956, if you can find it.

Music:

Music

Music