Maury Yeston - Phantom: The American Musical Sensation (1992 Studio Cast)
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Free Music Notes for Phantom: The American Musical Sensation (1992 Studio Cast)
Free Music Review: This doesn't get the attention it deserves
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm hopelessly addicted to all things Phantom, and this is no exception. The music is beautiful. The story is still as heartfelt, but with a bit of humor mixed in. This musical contains one of my favorite versions of Erik (the Phantom).Free Music Review: Good music, questionable story
Hit: 4 Stars
Admirers of Gaston Leroux, beware. The story of Erik the Phantom as told by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit has more or less been invented by the authors and bears little resemblance to the original. Or, for that matter, to the Andrew Lloyd Webber version, which itself takes a few liberties with the novel's plot but basically sticks to its general idea. This one is in a much lighter mood. Also, by focusing on the Phantom's motivation, it completely ignores Christine's, in the process eliminating both the character of her father and the concept of the Angel of Music, which to me are two of the central aspects of the story. It also adds a couple of rather absurd touches, like the opera manager being Erik's father who shoots his son in the final scene to save him from being caught, or Carlotta holding a singing contest against Christine in a Paris bistro. And there's one piece of lyric that's downright silly. ("Where every English horn makes me feel glad I'm born" in "Home". Thankfully though, there's no "Where every clarinet makes me feel cold and dead."). The plot of the musical, by the way, is identical to the 1990 NBC mini series starring Burt Lancaster and Charles Dance, which has a script by Kopit.That said, it should be noted that this is a wonderful piece of music! Yeston has written lyrical, classical melodies and transformed them into very athmospheric songs. The opening, "Mélodie de Paris", is a pretty waltz with the slightest of French flavors, whereas "You Are My Own", "Where in the World", or "My Mother Bore Me" are ballads as beautiful and emotional as any on Broadway or in the West End (even if they lack the sophistication of Yeston's masterpiece, "NINE"). Add Jonathan Tunick's glorious orchestral sounds and a very good cast, and what you'll get is a great musical that stands on its own - neither above nor below ALW's, but right next to it. The two simply don't have anthing to do with each other.
Free Music Review: It Captured my Heart!
Hit: 5 Stars
This soundtrack sounds the same as when I first saw it on stage, the storyline alone will make you a believer. It did me! The cast on this recording is rich in sound and will leave you humming one of its tunes, and the voice of Rev. Richard White is strong and powerfull just the way a phantom should be. After seeing the musical, made me a true believer, that the phantom was a real person or a myth.Free Music Review: A Worthy Effort but...
Hit: 3 Stars
..a bit to silly or my taste. Frankly, every musical version butchers Phantom of the Opera but this version really warps the story. The songs are good but they're nothing memorable. I've listened to this recording many times trying to like it and I still can't remember a single melody from it. This version is really just isn't dark enough in my opinion. The book is very dark and show that Erik is a very twisted person (not that he can be blamed, seeing what he went through) and this version of Erik lacks any danger.I do believe that this show could be reworked and become great (Just like Jekyll & Hyde did) but as it is, it's just not that impressive. On a side note, if you enjoyed the TV mini series of Phantom of the Opera, then you might enjoy this since the TV series was based on this musicalFree Music Review: A beautiful musical version of Phantom!
Hit: 5 Stars
I very highly recommend this version of Phantom. It is well worth listening too. Richard White has a truly powerful and beautiful voice as the Phantom. Glory Crampton has very lovelyand sweet voice as well. I think it should get more credit for it's hauntingly beautiful musical score. It's definitly worth the money.