I consider these to be the perfect recordings with the perfect cast; so, I didn't include some of my favorite musicals like Passion, Miss Saigon, etc. because though the musicals themselves are perfect, I don't care for some of the casting choices. Perhaps some of these aren't necessarily the "greatest" for some, but I consider them to be (I honestly can't shorten this list down to 1-2 musicals, sorry):
Fun Home (The Public Theatre recording - I much prefer Alexandra over Emily)
Parade (OBCR)
Cinderella (OBCR)
The Light in the Piazza (OBCR)
Ragtime (OBCR)
Thoroughly Modern Millie (OBCR)
Follies (2011 ORCR)
A Little Night Music (OBCR and ORCR)
Sweeney Todd (with Patti LuPone)
In the Heights (OBCR)
The King and I (2015 ORCR)
A Chorus Line (2006 ORCR)
I might be forgetting some, but these have always been
Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
No question in my mind that the answer is the Hunchback, Berlin recording.
Why don't you go? Why don't you leave Manderley? He doesn't need you... he's got his memories. He doesn't love you, he wants to be alone again with her. You've nothing to stay for. You've nothing to live for really, have you?
I can't really find fault with the OBC recordings of 1776, She Loves Me, Company, Chorus Line and Ragtime.
I also have this recording from Ms. Saigon that is amazing...which I believe came from some tour somewhere. I have an unofficial CD without any liner notes and I don't know exactly where it came from...but it's my favorite of that show for sure.
The only thing that keeps this recording from being perfect, in my opinion, was that the score didn't include Stärker als wir sind at the time, so the song is absent from the album.
I have to admit, I also prefer the added vocal harmonies to Totale Finsternis and the finale on the subsequent recordings.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Hello Dolly (OBC) the music and performances are just perfection. It's a great recording to listen to front to back or in a mix which is rare with more modern musicals
Tanz Der Vampire (Original Vienna) One of the best produced albums of a musical. The Wagnerian size score and the energy is wonderful.
Starmania (Intégrale Live 98/99) One of the most listened to CDs sets I own. Songs that have passed into legend and the performances to back them up.
"I have to admit, I also prefer the added vocal harmonies to Totale Finsternis and the finale on the subsequent recordings."
I must agree. A little more coloration for variety doesn't hurt, especially with a score where, if you're a Steinman fan, you've already heard every melody before.
"Tanz Der Vampire (Original Vienna) One of the best produced albums of a musical. The Wagnerian size score and the energy is wonderful."
I will agree that it is a very well-produced album. That owes in part to the direct presence of Steinman in the control room; the man's a perfectionist to the nth degree. However, it doesn't accurately reflect, to me, the truth of the score as it currently is, which is one of its main downfalls.
Why isn't the 1994 carousel revival cast recording on iTunes?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Giving a shout out to the OBCRs of Camelot, Little Me and Sweet Charity. I don't think anyone would consider any of these three among Broadway's all time greatest musicals, but listening to their albums you would never know it.
I am also very partial to Kiss Me, Kate, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, West Side Story (though the soundtracksometimes surpasses it in my honest opinion), the Lincoln Center Show Boat, and, especially as remastered a few years ago, Follies.
Hamilton's album effortlessly joins the list of classics. I listen to it all the time.
A new discovery of mine is the revival of On the Twentieth Century. I think it's an incredible recording and it really makes me regret not being able to see this production.