Archive for Musicals.Net Musicals.Net |
| sarahms3 |
soundtrack questionI just recently read the book, but haven't had a chance to see a performance of the musical. Is there a recording out there that has the whole performance, not just the main songs, or that comes with a script? (There's a Phantom of the Opera CD that does both, and I'm hoping the same is true of Les Mis.) I know good and well that no matter how good a CD is, it can't replace the experience of really seeing the performance, but in my current situation, it's the best I can do.Thanks for your help! |
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| Mademoiselle Lanoire |
Look for the 3-disc Complete Symphonic Recording (black cover art). The lyrics are a bit out of date and some of the performers suck, but nonetheless it's the only full-length album. | ||
| Orestes Fasting |
Okay, here's a brief summary of the four major Les Mis recordings:
Original London cast recording: Comes in highlights and a two-disc version. The 2-disc version doesn't have everything, but it has a lot. The cast is idiosyncratic and not everyone's cup of tea, but it happens to be my favorite if that's worth anything. Original Broadway cast recording: Also comes in highlights and two-disc, same deal as the OLC. Cast is generally solid but rather boring. Complete Symphonic Recording: 3-disc, contains every note of the show. Unless you're adamant that it have everything, though, don't waste your money. There are two, maybe three cast members on it who don't suck in some way or another. Tenth Anniversary Concert recording: This is what I recommend. It has the strongest cast of all the English recordings, and more material than the other 2-disc ones--enough that you can follow the convoluted plot without too much trouble. The CSR does have the complete libretto, though you can probably find that online if you decide to get one of the other recordings. |
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| kitty17794 |
I recommend the last two listed above. I grew up with the CSR, so I love it and it's performers. And it IS the whole show, start to finish, and does have the libretto included. The other one, the TACR, is great as well...some of the cast is the same as the CSR (the role of Marius is played by Michael Ball in both. He owns that role completely.)
Either is really great. You could always buy the DVD of the TACR and watch that...they wear their costumes while performing, and sometimes show clips from the actual broadway show. 
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| kozafluitmusique |
I have the CSR. Love it!
I also have International Cast Highlights...those are interesting but unless you want strictly most of the show, don't get it 
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| sarahms3 |
Wow, so many responces so quickly! And you gave me the info I needed! Thanks you guys!
If I remember right, they've got the CSR at my campus bookstore. I'll probably get that one. ^_^ |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
Soundtrack =/= cast recording. | ||
| sarahms3 |
Ha ha! I'm a noob, okay? Gimme a break! XD
But I'll get that strait from now on. : ) |
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| LesMisForever |
Welcome to the forum
I recommend the 10th anniversary concert, and from the non-English Paris revival. Btw, you should consider yourself very lucky that The Very Angry Woman corrected that for you without any further comments 
This is just to familiarise you with our fearsome lady . But, as long as you watch your grammar and spelling, she is actually helpful, and very, very knowledgable.
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| Mademoiselle Lanoire |
You mean 'knowledgeable'. 
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| LesMisForever |
hahahahaha Now i am in REAL trouble. See you next year
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| Actor4life |
to the first Q!! I think you should go and see a performance of the school edition of les mis!! It is absolutly fantastic, it will let you see how much emotion is in the show instead of just hearing it and it will only cost you around 10 pounds!! | ||
| Etoile |
I hope you didn't pay that much to see the school edition? |
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| Eponine93 |
Does anyone have the Manchester cast recording? That's the only one of the English language recordings I'm not familar with, and I'm curious about it since I don't even know who's on it.
The thing is about the recordings is that many of the cast members are on both. For example, Michael Ball (Marius) is on three of the four main recordings, as well as Colm Wilkinson (Valjean). |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
I have it. It's okay to have if you like to have a comprehensive collection, but it's not that interesting. http://www.amazon.com/Miserables-Claude-Michel-Schoenberg/dp/B000026YOI |
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| Eponine93 |
^ They only have five tracks?
I'm trying to figure out whether to get this or not, since it's only five dollars off Amazon... But if you consider the fact I already have Quast's Stars on the CSR, it's just not worth it... |
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| The Very Angry Woman |
Yeah, it's highlights. |
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| Eponine93 |
*gasps* Even for a highlights album, that's kind of wimpy... no wonder I had barely hard of the Manchester Album before... | ||
| Orestes Fasting |
Cast for the Manchester highlights:
Valjean: Jeff Leyton Javert: Philip Quast Fantine: Ria Jones Marius: Mike Sterling Eponine: Meredith Braun It's not bad. Quast is excellent, of course, and Meredith Braun is pretty good. (Which is surprising since I hated her voice on the London Secret Garden recording, but she's actually not annoying here.) Ria Jones... four words: I Dweamed a Dweam. I don't like Jeff Leyton's BHH that much, and nothing about Mike Sterling's ECAET really jumped out at me. |
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| Quique |
Ria Jones' vibrato is ridiculously heavy.
Meredith Braun's rendition of "On My Own" is amazing. Philip Quast is amazing as well. Jeff Leyton...Meh (Colm impersonator) Mike Sterling's ECAET is good. I recommend it. Oh, and , Orestes, I'm getting around to sending you that list. It's just that you already have nearly everything that's on mine, lol!!! I need to start trading again. Last time I traded was last year and it was only a few recordings. Prior to that, last time was about a decade ago. 
So, ya, lots of catching up to do, lol. I'll send you a list of stuff you DON'T have, how about that? lol. |
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| Orestes Fasting |
Don't sweat it if you can't weed out the stuff that I already have. I can usually sniff out (and jump on) things I haven't seen before like a hungry shark.
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| LesMisForever |
Oh! excellent OF, thanks for the laugh
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| olly |
Cast Recording list.
I grew up with the Original London Cast, and found the Complete Symphonic Recording late in life. In my opinion they are both fantastic. I dislike Garry Morris (Valjean on the CSR), but prefer the orchestration of Javert's part on the CSR. I think both Javert's are fantastic. My least favorite recording is the Original Broadway Cast. |
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| Eponine93 |
The Original Broadway Cast recording is a waste. I didn't buy it (my grandma had it, so I kind of *ahem* borrowed it from her) and it wasn't worth the time import it on my Ipod. It's like the OLCR, but without some of the talent. The only two people I really adore on the OBCR are Colm Wilkinson and Frances Rufelle.
I adore most of the performances on the OLCR. For some reason, I've always really liked Roger Allam's vocals as Javert. |