Bob Merrill - Hannah...1939 (1992 Original New York Cast)
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Bob MerrillEdition: Music CD
Format: Cast Recording
CD Release Date: 2000-06-13
Music Label: Jay Records
Soundtracks:
- Opening
- Ah Our Germans
- No Give, No Take
- The Pearl We Called Prague
- Martina
- Pretty Things/Kissed on the Eyes
- Sew a Butto
- Wear a Little Grin
- We Dance
- Hannah Will Take Care of You
- Radio Dance
- Learn About Life
- Someday
- Gentle Afternoon
- So Good to See You
- Who Is Hannah?
- Someday (Reprise)
Free Music Notes for Hannah...1939 (1992 Original New York Cast)
Free Music Review: HAUNTING HOLOCAUST MUSICAL . . . WISH I HAD SEEN IT.
Hit: 5 Stars
There's very little I can add to A. Anderson's excellent review, except to say that I think it's a much better work his "three stars" might indicate. Cabaret legend Julie Wilson is outstanding in the title role; I can't imagine anyone else in the part. She's been singing in smokey bars and nightclubs since she was 14, and at 64, her voice is rough and sometimes strained. But I wouldn't expect Hannah, a woman who has led an extremely hard and difficult life, to sound any different. Ms. Wilson makes us feel every disappointment, every betrayal. It's a "lived-in" voice. All the other voices are more than competant, especially Ann Talman as Young Hannah and Peter Frechette as Kurt and as 17-year-old Hannah's lover.
It must be extremely difficult writing a musical about the Holocaust; "Cabaret" was a success (1,116 performances) but "The Grand Tour" (61 performances) was a dismal failure. And writing "Jewish" music without sounding derivitive must be almost improssible. As I write this, I am listening to a recording of the 2003 American Conference of Cantors. Although the 40 songs range from ancient melodies to contemporary compositions, many share a melodic quality that identifies them as "Jewish." And what could be more Jewish than klezmer? Therefore, upon first hearing "The Pearl We Called Prague" or "Sew a Button," one might hear echoes of "Fiddler on the Roof." I challenge anyone hearing Ms. Talman sing "Kissed on the Eyes" not think of Luisa in "The Fantasticks." In this case, it's the emotion, not the melody that brings on the memory. It's a lovely song, as are "Gentle Afternoon" and "Someday." And for sheer drama, listen as Hannah tries to justify her relationship with Gerte Baumann and her husband, the Commandant ("Who Is Hannah?").
"Hannah . . . 1939" is a mature, accomplished work by one of Broadway's most under-appreciated composers. Requiring only sixteen singers and a klezmer band, it should be within the reach of practically any theatre group, especially those who prefer to perform smaller, more intimate musicals. I'd far rather see this show or "The Golden Apple" or "Floyd Collins" or "Triumph of Love" than the umpteenth revival of "Funny Girl."
Incidentally, Bob Merrill wrote the lyrics for that Fanny Brice musical, as well as writing such pop standards as "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window," "Mambo Italiano," and "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked a Cake." For excellent background material on the composer, I strongly recommend Jaime J. Weinman's "Something Old, Nothing New: Bob Merrill On Broadway" ---- zvbxrpl.blogspot.com/2004/ 08/bob-merrill-on-broadway.html
Mazel tov to John Yap for producing this recording and to Jay Records for releasing it and keeping it in their catalogue, in spite of its limited sales. Listening to "Hannah . . . 1939" requires commitment, but it's worth it.
Highly recommended.
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