Harvey Schmidt - The Fantasticks: The (1993) Japan Tour Cast Recording - The Definitive New American Cast Album
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Free Music Notes for The Fantasticks: The (1993) Japan Tour Cast Recording - The Definitive New American Cast Album
Free Music Review: Must-have musical for anyone!
Hit: 5 Stars
Many musical lovers I have talked to know very little about Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's musical "The Fantasticks." I find this odd. What's the longest-running musical in history? No, it's not CATS, thank God. It's "The Fantasticks." And you can check if you don't believe me. It opened in an off-Broadway theater in 1960 and has been playing ever since--more than 10,000 performances to date. The story is a classic one, reminiscent of Shakespeare in parts: there is a boy and a girl. Their parents want their children to fall in love, and so they pretend to feud, knowing that "to manipulate children, you merely say 'no'!" the children fall in love and try to keep it from their parents (unsuccessfully, though--the parents know what's going on all along). When the boy and girl find they have been tricked, they go their separate ways to find out what they really want. I won't tell you the end, although you can probably guess. The script is wonderfully comedic, if predictable at parts. Much of it is included on the recording. The music is wonderful--some of the songs are loved right when you hear them, while others take a few listens to grow on you. It would be great if there were a few more samples of the music here. If you can, see this show performed! It's excellent!Free Music Review: I'm biased, but..
Hit: 5 Stars
In my humble opinion, the Fantasticks is the greatest show ever written, and I seem to be borne out by posterity, the highest judge of all. To those who feel differently, including the unfortunatley misguided reviewer on this page, I say that no one should completely trash a show without having actually seen it. This disc has much of the spoken dialogue, so you can get a general idea of the plot, but nothing is quite like sitting in that tiny theatre on Sullivan St. in the village as the harp and piano play that magical opening. I'm obviously biased, but I challenge anyone to go to see this show with an open mind and not fall completely in love. The story is a simple and univeral one, as are the themes and characters. The music.. well what can I say? Harvey Schmidt is a bit of a genius. His style is so unique and distinctive. The music always avoids sappy sweetness by its sharp dissonances and rhythms. I've read that as a kid Schmidt's favorite music was jazz and Bartok, and I think it shows. Overall the Fantasticks is the antithesis of the broadway show; it is intimate, bittersweet, nostalgic, economical, and even after forty years, amazingly fresh and young. I plead with everyone to go see it wherever you can. If you've already seen it, go see it again.Free Music Review: Times Like These Need Recordings LIke This
Hit: 5 Stars
I can't claim to be any kind of musical expert, but I know what I like, and I love this CD. Need to escape to a simpler time and place? Want to viscerally experience the most fundamental of human emotions? Pop in this in your player and you'll be transported there, instantly. Heck, this is worth the price just for the chance to hear the loveliest of voices, that of Chiara Peacock. Angels do sing, and one does on this record.Free Music Review: A rarity
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the highly unusual case of a revival cast album which surpasses the original. The classic, sparkling Jones & Schmidt score is well sung by the talented cast, the tempos are generally better, and -- best of all -- much of the dialogue is preserved, giving a better impression of the magic of the show. Even the reduced instrumentation contributes to this album's charm. I wouldn't be without it.Free Music Review: It has its pluses
Hit: 5 Stars
The vocals on this recording are lacking compared to the original off-broadway cast recording, however the plus of this recording is that it features the original orchestrations whereas the off-broadway recording has augmented the orchestra with a second piano. In my opinion, that alone makes this recording worth owning.
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